10 Fabulous Types of Whiskey You Should Know

Do you have trouble making a decision on which types of whiskey you should buy? Be at ease; we are here to help. To assist you in narrowing your search and selecting something that you and your loved ones will treasure, we’ve listed a few of our favorites in this blog, along with a list of the most popular sorts overall.

Although there are numerous types, the several we mentioned below are well-known mainstays for many and are regarded as the most well-liked globally. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. there are so many whiskey types as well that sometimes you get confused. So to help you better understand the different types, here are 11 types that you should know about.

1. The Scottish Whiskey (Scotch)

Scotland, was once known as the whiskey capital of the world? It had more than 30 whiskey distilleries and was a large producer of different types, Notably, Scotch whiskey.

According to Statista data, Scotland produced more than 100 million liters of whiskey a year between 2000 and 2015 in its 135 whiskey distilleries there. In fact, Campbell Town, one of And Scotland’s smallest regions, continues to be the country’s top whiskey producer.

Scotch whiskey is one of the main types that is specifically made and matured in Scotland. Scotch whiskey can be a mixture of malt whiskey and grain used whiskey or either of the two. There are three types of scotch whiskey: blended, blended malt, and grain. Age barrels are frequently used to mature them. The whiskey has a richness to it and may taste like some fruits, such as berries or raisins.

Beginning with the quality Ireland was where whisky production first began many years ago. Like any wonderful product, word of this one spread wherever people went. Just across the Irish Sea, the Scots developed a need for it and started producing their version. The Scottish liking for whiskey was formed since it was almost identical to the Irish product but was often only distilled twice instead of three times (there are exceptions).

These distilleries developed into masters of their trade over time, and the Scottish whisky sector was more durable despite the best efforts of American prohibition, which all but destroyed the Irish whisky industry. Despite a significant decline in production during the Second World War, the sector recovered. These distilleries, families, and artisans had already developed distinctive styles that would set their goods apart in a crowded market. Islay grew to be known as the de facto birthplace of smokey whiskies, the lowlands gained notoriety for their light, grassy, and citrusy style, and Speyside continued to press ahead with the production of whisky that proudly displayed its fruity, sherried nature. Regionality emerged as the industry’s rebellious trait. Similar to the craft beer industry, Scottish whisky is also seeing a massive revival.

There you have it, then. a superior product. greater than its past. more engaging for both beginning and seasoned drummers, as well as more dynamic, expressive, flavorful, and flavorful.

Ready to start with Scotch, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Macallan, Glenlivet, and Ballentine

2. The Japanese Whiskey

Japanese whiskey is one of the whiskeys that came into production in the 1870s and was developed in the Yamazaki distillery. So yes, you can say that Japanese whiskey has not been around for a very long time, but apart from that fact, it has managed to make its mark in today’s world. The types they produced today are generally grain, blended, or malt.

In terms of production techniques, scotch whiskey and Japanese whiskey are most comparable. The two major types produced are single malts and blends, which are matured in a range of barrel types, such as former bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and Japanese Mizunara wood. In Japanese whiskey, blending is crucial because many distilleries produce various whiskey that the master blender combines before bottling.

It goes without saying that the consequence of this combination of qualities is fruity, spicy, and best enjoyed on its own. You won’t be let down if you can get your hands on a bottle.

Ready to start with Japanese whisky, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Nikka

3. The Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon whiskey is one of the whiskey varieties made in America. Most people think that Kentucky, in America, is where bourbon whiskey is produced. Contrary to common belief, bourbon does not always have to be produced in Kentucky. It may be created in any US state, but Kentucky’s limestone water makes it the best place to do so because it filters out pollutants like iron.

The majority of bourbon is initially distilled in a column still, and then it goes through a second distillation in, a modified copper pot still. With the help of caramelized sugar, the whiskey’s color is created. Additionally, and because of that sugar, the whiskey’s color changes more the longer it is aged.

The flavor that comes out is a sweet flavor with a hint of smoke because of the charred wood. Baker’s, Jim Beam, and Old Crow are some famously known brands of bourbon whiskey. This type of whiskey is made in charred oak wood containers.

Ready to start with Bourbon Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Hudson Bright, Woodford Reserve, and Baker’s.

4. The American and Canadian Rye Whiskey

The definition of rye whiskey is sometimes confusing. This is due to the availability of two distinct but similar varieties of rye whiskey: Canadian whisky and American rye whiskey. Any American whiskey that has been distilled from a fermented mash containing at least 51% rye is known as American rye whiskey. The mash also typically contains corn, malted barley, and malted rye.

American rye whiskey needs to be distilled to a maximum of 160 U.S. proof (or 80 percent alcohol by volume) and matured for at least two years in charred, new oak barrels. Due to its historical roots, on the other hand, Canadian whiskey is frequently referred to as “rye whiskey.” The majority of Canadian whiskeys that are marketed as rye whiskey, however, are made from fermented mashes that don’t contain any rye.

There are several steps to undertake to make rye whiskey; one of them is known as mashing, which means mixing one, two, or more grains. According to the laws of whiskey production in America, it uses the name made up with rye as the selling point. its rye whiskey has to have at least 51% of rye. The usual additional ingredients include barley, wheat, corn, and occasionally even oats. Some rye whiskeys contain only rye. Additionally, rye whiskey is matured in charred new oak barrels.

The main difference between bourbon whiskey and rye whiskey is that bourbon has a sweeter taste, whereas rye has a spicy, fruity flavor. 

Ready to start with American Rye Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- WhistlePig, Sazerac, and Copper Fox

5. The Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is produced in Ireland. It comes in four different varieties: malt, grain, blended, and pot still. Once upon a time, it was the Irish whiskey that was the most famous in the whole world.

Due to the Irish independence war, there was a massive decline in the whiskey industry, and as of now, there are only 30-32 Irish distilleries. Still, many of these distilleries are new, and the whiskey has not matured yet, so these few distilleries have no sales. Even after so many difficulties, Irish whiskey is still known for being the smoothest whiskey.

But blended Irish whiskey is the most widely consumed Irish type.  A lighter, more accessible whiskey is created by combining malted and unmalted grain. It combines Irish Whiskey from the single grain, single malt, and single pot still groups.

Irish distillers in Dublin originally utilized this formulation to create blended Irish whiskey in 1878. The whiskey is given its distinctive flavor by spending at least three years maturing in oak barrels. Triple distillation creates a spirit with a greater percentage, a moderate aroma, and a sweet flavor. The final whiskey has a complex aroma with a smooth, mellow, and rich flavor that spans from fruity and honey to flowery and woody.

Ready to start with Irish Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:-  Teeling and Tullamore Dew.

6. Irish Single Malt Whiskey

whiskey labels can be perplexing. Although scotch is the most obvious example, single malt and blended whiskey can be distinguished anywhere in the world. What matters most is how many distilleries contributed to the whiskey’s production.

Irish Single Malt Whiskey, which is thought to be more sophisticated than Ireland’s more popular blended whiskeys, is frequently offered by Irish whiskey distilleries.

Like other whiskeys, single malt whiskey is manufactured by fermenting grains with yeast to turn the sugars into alcohol. The resulting liquid is then distilled to create a concentrated alcoholic drink, which is then aged in barrels, blended, and bottled. Distillers producing single malt whiskey simply employ a few unique procedures along the process, which are frequently comparable to those used in the production of scotch.

Whiskey often has an oaky, woody, roasted grain alcohol flavor with occasional overtones of caramel, vanilla, fruit, or nuts. These flavor traits are amplified and mellowed concurrently by single malts, making the beverage exceptionally smooth. There is also a peaty, smokey undertone in scotch.

Since single malt whiskey enjoys a distinguished reputation, the typical liquor store needs to stock at least a few varieties. Look for a store that specializes in whiskey or has a larger selection of premium spirits for the greatest options.

Ready to start with Irish Single Malt Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:-  Highland Park Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, and The Irishman Irish Whiskey

7. The Blended Whiskey

Let’s first dispel a common misconception: Aren’t single malts superior to blends? Simply the answer is no—they’re different. Although many blended whiskies are more economical than single malts, providing a more accessible way into the world of Scotch whisky, this does not always imply that single malts are superior beverages.

blended whisky offers a wide variety of flavors and may compete with single malts not just in terms of complexity and flavor, but also in flavor and texture.

Now, that we established that Whiskeys can be blended together to create a new whiskey that is not inferior by any means, we can begin… 

It entails mixing specific flavors as well as neutral grains. Whiskey blends cost less than single malt whiskeys when combined with other alcoholic beverages. A beverage like a cocktail that contains a certain amount of whiskey or blended whiskeys would be a great illustration of this.

Since these Blended whiskeys are a mixture of other whiskeys and spirits, there is no such law for it to have an age guarantee. The flavor of this type of whiskey differs because various whiskeys are blended.

Ready to start with blended Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Kessler whiskey, Canadian Mist, and Monkey Shoulder.

8. The Wheat Whiskey

In contrast, using wheat as the flavoring grain results in entirely other flavor quality. Wheat whiskey typically displays subtle sweetness and toasted aromas, making them very approachable to whiskey beginners. But even the most veteran fan would sit up and take notice because they have enough flavor in them.

Like rye, wheat is also a grain, which means that wheat whiskey should also comprise 51% of wheat only and some other grain.

Wheat whiskey is generally sweet, like the hint of sweetness we find in bread, and since wheat is a significant ingredient, it rarely has a spiced-up taste. Depending on the number of secondary grains, the spice factor is generally relatively low.

Now, where do begin? There isn’t one region of the country that has a monopoly on the production of wheat whiskeys. They are made by independent distillers in numerous locations, ranging from Washington state to New York state. However, Brand Bernheim is a good place to start if you’ve never had a wheat whiskey before. It was the first widely accessible wheat whiskey to be made available to the public, debuting in 2005.

Ready to start with Wheat Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Bernheim Original, Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey, Dry Fly Wheat Whiskey.

9. The Good-old Canadian Whiskey

Although rye whisky is what the world referred to as Canadian whiskey, there is no precise definition of the term. In fact, some Canadian whiskies contain no rye grain at all. This is really a relic of the past when rye was frequently a key ingredient in the blend.

Canadian whisky, which tends to be corn-heavy, must spend at least three years in barrels no bigger than 700 liters. The original mashing and distilling, as well as the maturing, must all take place in Canada. Artificial flavoring and coloring are also permitted in Canada, but only if the end beverage has minimum alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40%.

However, despite the fact that some single malts are also offered, the key distinction is the blend-oriented style of the drink. The whisky is typically aged in reclaimed barrels, frequently ex-bourbon barrels, although it can also be aged in fresh oak or any other kind of barrel.

The process of making whiskey in Canada is that all the grains used to create a particular type of whiskey should be fermented separately and matured separately, then combined. Black Velvet is one such type of Canadian whiskey. Other examples include Forty Creek and Canadian Mist.

In recent years Canada has also started producing whiskey made of rye apart from corn since it has become a crowd favorite. Take a look at these fantastic breweries in Toronto, Canada. https://icycanada.com/toronto-breweries-12-amazing-places/

Ready to start with Canadian Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- JP Wiser’s 15-Year-Old, Pendleton Whisky, Pike Creek 10-Year-Old.

10. The Classic Tennessee Whiskey

What makes Tennessee whiskey is its filtration process. While the term “filtering” suggests that flavor is being added rather than taken away, the opposite is actually true. While filtering with maple charcoal does smooth the spirit, it also significantly improves the flavor profile.

This filtration process is a part of something called the lincoln county process.

Several aspects of the Lincoln County Process are different, as the usage of 13 feet of charcoal at the distillery. The spirit is steeped in charcoal instead of filtering by gravity. It is additionally refrigerated to a 40-degree temperature at first.

The procedure at Nelson’s Green Brier is more in line with what you would anticipate from a craft distillery. It is made from a whiskey barrel and has dimensions of about 3 feet tall by 2 feet broad at the belly. Instead of a head, it has an 8 to 12-inch stainless mesh screen that is covered by a piece of wool fabric from the bottom up. Then, it is filled to just below the brim with rather sizable pieces of sugar maple charcoal, some of which are the size of softballs.

And that’s when the good times start. The barrel is set on top of a stainless steel tank after a distillation run, and the fresh distillate is pumped into the shower head where it evenly falls through the roughly 2 feet of charcoal and into the collection tank below. One distillation run will go through our mellowing process in about 20 to 25 minutes. The distillate is currently prepared for the barrel.

So, to summarize, The procedure, which involves filtering every new make distillate through (or steeping it in) charcoal chips before it is aged in casks, is named for Lincoln County, Tennessee, where Jack Daniel’s initially opened shop. Still, Jack Daniel’s distillery uses its own unaged distillate to burn sugar maple staves, then grinds the charred wood into bits before employing gravity to filter the resulting new product via a 10-foot filter bed.

Following all of this, it must mature for a minimum of four years in oak wood barrels. The typical age has been four years, however, depending on the producers, it may be grown for longer.

Due to its similarity to bourbon whiskey, Tennessee whiskey is frequently referred to as such. A very famous brand of this whiskey is Jack Daniel’s whiskey. 

Ready to start with Tennessee Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- Jack Daniel (no brainer there), Benjamin Prichards, and Chattanooga whiskey.

11. The American Corn Whiskey

Corn whiskey is yet another type of whiskey produced in America. Corn whiskey is one of the oldest kinds of whiskey, and unlike other whiskeys, it needs a minimum of 80% corn mashed and mixed in making these types. Mallow, Balcones Brimstone, and Bowsaw are some popular corn whiskey brands.

The surprising fact about corn whiskey is that it cannot be matured in new barrels; it can only be grown in previously used barrels or oak barrels. Apart from the corn, many other citruses and sour ingredients go into the making of corn whiskey. 

What makes it unique is that it has matured for more than 12 years to e called perfect because the more the whiskey is grown, the more enhanced the taste gets. Corn whiskey has a subtle taste and is not very overpowering. It has a certain richness to it, like butter, and has a honey-like flavor. 

Ready to start with Corn Whiskey, here are some of the finest brands that we recommend:- The Best Corn Whiskey, Georgia Moon Peach Whiskey, and Hudson New York Corn Whiskey.

Also, Read:

https://scotchnoob.com/2012/12/10/2012-holiday-whisky-gift-guide/.

Now that you have an idea, it will be so easy for you to choose a whiskey of your choice, depending upon your likes and dislikes. You can also buy the correct type of whiskey for a celebration or if you have to gift it as a present or even if you feel like having a good time with your close ones. If you want to know what types of whiskey you should give as a gift, you should take our recommendations.