A Brief Guide to Everything Whisk(e)y

There are countless brands on the market today but there's also "craft" spirits which use locally sourced ingredients and only distil in small batches so as to ensure quality control. This new trend is in the form of artisan spirits made by craft distillers such as The Lakes Whisky. Craft whiskies can be found in most countries across the world including Scotland, Ireland, USA & Canada among others.

What is whisky made of

Whisky is made using a few different ingredients:

• Barley (most common).
• Wheat, Corn and Soybeans (USA/Canada uses these to substitute barley which is costly).
• Potatoes & Sugar Beet (For Vodka in Russia/Poland).
• Water and yeast for fermentation.

It is then distilled before aging it in oak barrels until ready to be bottled.

Whisky may also add flavours such as cinnamon or honey after the distillation process stops or use other forms of alcohol besides beer or wine during fermentation like brandy or cognac. This all depends on what flavour profile they're trying to achieve with their product. Some whiskies are made using a continuous still while others will use pot stills such as those distilled in Scotland.

Craft Whisky is defined as whisky that has been distilled in a pot still, made from grain and aged for at least three years in oak barrels of less than 700 L capacity. It must also be bottled at no more than 80 proof (40% ABV) so it doesn't become diluted with water during filtration or have any added colouring, flavours or other spirits mixed into it before being bottled. This makes craft whisky unique because each distillery will create their own flavour profile using different types of grains, yeast strains & techniques to give you an individual product every time.

The history of whiskey

Whisky was first introduced into the world in 1405 by the Scottish. The use of copper pot stills, where grains are fermented then distilled, differed from other regions that used larger copper vessels for distillation and ageing resulting in a more delicate product. These smaller stills were often heated over an open fire which brought out subtle flavours & aromas not found using other methods or materials.

Whisky can be made anywhere around the globe but must follow strict guidelines before being called whisky, otherwise it's just ethyl alcohol with added flavourings. Creativity has blossomed following this new wave of craft whisky which uses unique ingredients and methods in order to bring out the best flavours and aromas possible. This can range from using specific types of wood for casks to adding small amounts of sherry or port wines.

How to enjoy your favourite whisk(e)y drink

Whisky should be consumed according to your personal preferences. Here are some suggestions on how you can enjoy your favourite whisky drink:

• Add ice cubes or water for a more refreshing version of the same whisky type.
• Use ginger ale, cola or mix with fruit juice in order to get an interesting cocktail variety.
• Whisky stones are perfect if you want to keep your whisky cool without watering it down. Just pop them in the freezer beforehand and they will be ready when needed.

Whisky cocktails

Whisky is also the ideal spirit to use in cocktails such as the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and of course, Irish Coffee.

Here are some amazing whisky cocktails:

• The classic Whisky Sour.
• Delicious Whisky Punch.
• Spiced Berries & Honey Cocktail.

There is no end to your creativity where whisky is concerned. If you enjoy creating delicious drinks at home then there will be plenty more ideas. You can even try infusing your own spirits or liqueurs with different flavours such as vanilla, cinnamon or coffee to name just a few possibilities. Experimenting will open up an entire world of new flavour profiles which you can use in all sorts of wonderful ways to entertain your friends and family.

Types of whiskies and their characteristics

The different types of whiskeys include the following:

• Bourbon whiskey is the most popular type of American whisky which has its origins in Kentucky, USA. It must be made with at least 51% corn and often contains other grains such as barley or malt. The characteristic flavour comes from the aging process which takes place in charred white oak barrels for at least two years before it can be sold to customers.
• Craft whisky refers to any spirit that meets certain requirements regarding how it was produced, this includes being created by a small distillery without large quantities of mass production techniques or artificial additives used during fermentation or bottling.
• Scotch whisky (made in Scotland) is one of the most popular and sought-after types of whisky in the world. It has a long history and is very much in demand.
• American whiskies are not as famous, but they have been growing in popularity. They include bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys that can be produced anywhere within the US; there is no restriction on geography or water source unlike Scotch whisky.
• Irish whisky is a much more unique flavoured whisky because of the way it is distilled. It uses a pot still distillation process that creates the distinctive rich, smooth and sweet taste of Irish whisky.
• Single malt whisky is made from a mash of only malted barley. It must also be made on the same site as where it is aged, which separates it from ‘blended malt whisky.
• Single grain whisky is a subtype of American whisky and distilled at one particular distillery.
• Corn Whisky or ‘White Dog’ is unaged whisky that has been distilled out of at least 80% maize mash. It can also contain other grains including wheat, barley and rye but not malted barley.
• Blended Whisky consists of both malt and grain whiskies blended together by the master blender before bottling to create an end product with different characteristics.

Whisky is not just any regular alcoholic beverage but rather something that has been carefully crafted over hundreds of years by passionate individuals who only use the best ingredients available.