Whisky or Whiskey
Whisky or Whiskey
Single malt whisky is whisky from a single distillery made from a mash that uses only one
particular malted grain. Unless the whisky is described as single-cask, it contains whisky from
many casks, and different years, so the blender can achieve a taste recognisable as typical of
the distillery. In most cases, single malts bear the name of the distillery, with an age statement
and perhaps some indication of some special treatments such as maturation in a port wine cask.
Blended malt whisky is a mixture of single malt whiskies from different distilleries. If a whisky is
labelled "pure malt" or just "malt" it is almost certainly a blended malt whisky. This was formerly
called a "vatted malt" whisky.
Blended whisky is made from a mixture of different types of whisky. A blend may contain whisky
from many distilleries so that the blender can produce a flavour consistent with the brand. The
brand name may, therefore, omit the name of a distillery. Most Scotch, Irish and Canadian
whisky is sold as part of a blend, even when the spirits are the product of one distillery, as is
common in Canada.[30] American blended whisky may contain neutral spirits.
Cask strength (also known as barrel proof) whiskies are rare, and usually only the very best
whiskies are bottled in this way. They are bottled from the cask undiluted or only lightly diluted.
Single cask (also known as single barrel) whiskies are bottled from an individual cask, and often
the bottles are labelled with specific barrel and bottle numbers. The taste of these whiskies may
vary substantially from cask to cask within a brand.
Australian[edit]
Main article: Australian whisky
Australian whiskies have won global whisky awards and medals, including the World
Whiskies Awards and Jim Murray's Whisky Bible "Liquid Gold Awards".[38]
Canadian[edit]
Various Irish whiskeys
Main article: Irish whiskey
Irish whiskeys are normally distilled thrice, Cooley Distillery being the exception as they also
double distill.[55] Though traditionally distilled using pot stills, the column still is now used to
produce grain whiskey for blends. By law, Irish whiskey must be produced in Ireland and
aged in wooden casks for a period of no less than three years, although in practice it is
usually three or four times that period.[56]Unpeated malt is almost always used, the main
exception being Connemara Peated Malt whiskey.
There are several types of whiskey common to Ireland: single malt, single grain, blended
whiskey and pure pot still whiskey.
Japanese[edit]
Main article: Japanese whisky
The model for Japanese whiskies is the single malt Scotch, although there are also
examples of Japanese blended whiskies. The base is a mash of malted barley, dried in kilns
fired with a little peat (although considerably less than in Scotland), and distilled using the pot
still method. Before 2000, Japanese whisky was primarily for the domestic market and
exports were limited. Japanese whiskies such as Suntory and Nikka won many prestigious
international awards between 2007 and 2014. Japanese whisky has earned a reputation for
quality.[57][58]
Scotch[edit]
Various Scotch whiskies
Main article: Scotch whisky
Scotch whiskies are generally distilled twice, although some are distilled a third time and
others even up to twenty times.[59] Scotch Whisky Regulations require anything bearing the
label "Scotch" to be distilled in Scotland and matured for a minimum of three years in oak
casks, among other, more specific criteria.[60] Any age statement on the bottle, in the form of
a number, must reflect the age of the youngest Scotch whisky used to produce that product.
A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed age whisky.[61] Scotch whisky
without an age statement may, by law, be as young as three years old.[62]
The basic types of Scotch are malt and grain, which are combined to create blends. The
distinctive smoky flavour that can often be found in Scotch is due to the use of peat smoke to
treat the malt. Scotch malt whiskies are divided into five main
regions: Highland, Lowland,Islay, Speyside and Campbeltown.[63]
Swedish[edit]
Whisky started being produced in Sweden in 1955 by the now defunct Skeppets
whisky brand. Their last bottle was sold in 1971.[64] In 1999 Mackmyra Whisky was founded
and is today the largest producer and has won several awards including European Whisky of
the Year in Jim Murray's 2011 Whisky Bible[65] and the International Wine & Spirits
Competition (IWSC) 2012 Award for Best European Spirits Producer of 2012.[66]
Welsh[edit]
Main article: Welsh whisky
Although distillation of whisky in Wales began in Middle Ages there were no commercially
operated distilleries during the 20th century. The rise of the temperance movement saw the
decline the commercial production of liquor during the 19th century and in 1894 Welsh
whisky production ceased. Recently, however, there has been a revival of Welsh whisky.
The revival of Welsh whisky began in the 1990s. Initially a "Prince of Wales" malt whisky was
sold as Welsh whisky but was simply blended scotch bottled in Wales. A lawsuit by Scotch
distillers ended this enterprise.[67] In 2000, Penderyn Distillery started production of Penderyn
single malt whisky. The first bottles went on sale on 1 March 2004, Saint David's Day, and it
is now sold worldwide. Penderyn Distillery is located in the Brecon Beacons National
Park and is considered to be the smallest distillery in the world.[68]
Other[edit]
ManX Spirit from the Isle of Man is distilled elsewhere and re-distilled in the country of its
nominal "origin". The ManX distillery takes a previously matured Scotch malt whisky and re-
distills it.[69]
In 2010 a Czech whisky was released, the 21-year-old "Hammer Head".[70]
In 2008 at least two distilleries in the traditionally brandy-producing Caucasus region
announced their plans to enter the Russian domestic market with whiskies. The Stavropol-
based Praskoveysky distillery bases its product on Irish whiskey, while in Kizlyar, Dagestan's
"Russian Whisky" announced a Scotch-inspired drink in single malt, blended and wheat
varieties.[71]
Destilerías y Crianza del Whisky S.A. is a whisky distillery in Spain. Its eight-year-old Whisky
DYC is a combination of malts and spirits distilled from barley aged separately a minimum of
eight years in American oak barrels.[72]
FryskHynder is a Dutch single malt, distilled and bottled in the Frisian Us Heit Distillery. It is
the first single malt produced in the Netherlands.[45]
Chemistry[edit]
Overview[edit]
Whiskies and other distilled beverages, such as cognac, and rum are complex beverages
that contain a vast range of flavouring compounds, of which some 200 to 300 are easily
detected by chemical analysis. The flavouring chemicals include "carbonyl compounds,
alcohols, carboxylic acids and their esters, nitrogen- and sulphur-containing
compounds,tannins and other polyphenolic compounds, terpenes, and oxygen-
containing heterocyclic compounds" and esters of fatty acids.[73] The nitrogen compounds
include pyridines,picolines and pyrazines.[74]
Flavours from distillation[edit]
The flavouring of whisky is partially determined by the presence of congeners and fusel oils.
Fusel oils are higher alcohols than ethanol, are mildly toxic, and have a strong, disagreeable
smell and taste. An excess of fusel oils in whisky is considered a defect. A variety of
methods are employed in the distillation process to remove unwanted fusel oils. Traditionally,
American distillers focused on secondary filtration using charcoal, gravel, sand, or linen to
remove undesired distillates.
Acetals are rapidly formed in distillates and a great many are found in distilled beverages,
the most prominent being acetaldehyde diethyl acetal (1,1-diethoxyethane). Among whiskies
the highest levels are associated with malt whisky.[75] This acetal is a principal flavour
compound in sherry, and contributes fruitiness to the aroma.[76]
The diketone diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) has a buttery aroma and is present in almost all
distilled beverages. Whiskies and cognacs typically contain more of this than vodkas, but
significantly less than rums or brandies.[77]
Flavours from oak[edit]
Whisky that has been aged in oak barrels absorbs substances from the wood. One of these
is cis-3-methyl-4-octanolide, known as the "whisky lactone" or "quercus lactone", a
compound with a strong coconut aroma.[78][79]
Commercially charred oaks are rich in phenolic compounds. One study identified 40 different
phenolic compounds. The coumarin scopoletin is present in whisky, with the highest level
reported in Bourbon whiskey.[80]
Flavours and colouring from additives[edit]
Depending on the local regulations, additional flavourings and colouring compounds may be
added to the whisky. Canadian whisky may contain caramel and flavouring in addition to the
distilled mash spirits. Scotch whisky may contain added (E150A) caramel colouring, but no
other additives. The addition of flavourings is not allowed in American"straight" whiskey, but
is allowed in American blends.
Chill filtration[edit]
Whisky is often "chill filtered": chilled to precipitate out fatty acid esters and then filtered to
remove them. Most whiskies are bottled this way, unless specified as unchillfiltered ornon
chill filtered. This is done primarily for cosmetic reasons. Unchillfiltered whiskeys often turn
cloudy when stored at cool temperatures or when cool water is added to them, and this is
perfectly normal.[81]
American whiskey[edit]
Main article: American whiskey
Thirteen large distilleries produce over 99% of whiskey made in the US. These are the following
distilleries: Barton, Booker Noe, Brown-Forman, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, George Dickel, Heaven
Hill, Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, MGP Indiana, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve.[citation
needed]
Bourbon[edit]
Main article: Bourbon whiskey
Kentucky bourbon[edit]
(listed alphabetically by brand ownership and name and location of distillery. The brand owner is
included if different, style notes)
Alltech brands:
Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, Lexington, Kentucky
Town Branch
Beam Suntory brands:
Booker Noe Distillery, Boston, Kentucky
Jim Beam (also made at Jim Beam Distillery)
Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont:
Baker's (small batch)
Basil Hayden's (small batch)
Booker's (small batch)
Old Crow
Jim Beam (also made at Booker Noe Distillery)
Knob Creek (small batch)
Old Grand-Dad
Red Stag
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto
Maker's Mark (small batch, wheated)
Maker's 46 (small batch, wheated)
Brown-Forman brands:
Brown-Forman Distillery, Shively:
Early Times
Old Forester
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles
Woodford Reserve (small batch)
Pappy Van Winkle – (an Old Rip Van Winkle / Sazerac joint venture[2] brand), (wheated)
Rock Hill Farms Single-Barrel (single barrel)
W. L. Weller (wheated)
Tennessee whiskey[edit]
Main article: Tennessee whiskey
George Dickel Tennessee whiskey
Black Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (a Cleveland Whiskey brand), Cleveland, Ohio[citation needed]
Black Dirt Bourbon (Black Dirt Distillery), Warwick, New York[citation needed]
Breaker Bourbon – Ascendant Spirits, Buellton, California[citation needed]
Breckenridge Bourbon – Breckenridge Distillery, Breckenridge, Colorado[4]
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey, Swisher, Iowa[citation needed]
Dancing Pines Bourbon – Dancing Pines Distillery, Loveland, Colorado[5]
Rand and Spear Bourbon Whiskey (a Satori Beverages International brand)
Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey (wheated), Hye, Texas[6]
Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon (Hillrock Estate Distillery), Ancram, New York[citation needed]
Hirsch Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Anchor Distilling
Company), San Francisco, California
Hudson Baby Bourbon (a Tuthilltown Spirits brand), Gardiner, New York
Kings County Distillery Bourbon, Brooklyn, New York
Cougar – MGP Indiana, Lawrenceburg, Indiana (a Foster's Group brand, export only, sold
in Australia and New Zealand)
OYO Bourbon, Michelone Reserve, Middle West Spirits, Columbus, Ohio
Thunderbeast Baby Buffalo Bourbon Whiskey, Mad Buffalo Distillery, Union, Missouri[7]
Virginia Gentleman – A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Wyoming Whiskey, Kirby, Wyoming[citation needed]
Ozark Distillery Bourbon Whiskey, Osage Beach, Missouri[8]
Corn whiskey[edit]
Main article: Corn whiskey
Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) brands (and brands exclusively bottled by KBD):
Black Maple Hill Rye
Classic Cask Kentucky Rye
Michter's Rye Whiskey
Red Hook
Willett Family Reserve (single barrel)
Other Brands
MGP Indiana distillery:
Bulleit Rye (a Diageo brand)
Dickel Rye (a Diageo brand)
Harrison Rye
High West ryes
Redemption Rye
Templeton Rye
Independent
Roundstone Rye – Catoctin Creek
Copper Fox Rye
Hirsch Vintage – unknown distillery
Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey – Tuthilltown Spirits, Gardiner, NY[14]
George Washington's Rye Whiskey, Mount Vernon, Virginia[15]
Old Potrero (Anchor Distillery)
OYO Rye Whiskey, Middle West Spirits, Columbus, Ohio
RoughStock 100% Rye (RoughStock Distillery), Bozeman, Montana[10]
Whistlepig Straight 100% Rye Vermont
Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey – Bristol, PA[16]
Malt whiskey[edit]
Balcones Distilling "1" Texas Single Malt Whisky, Waco, Texas[citation needed]
Cut Spike Distillery Cut Spike Single Malt Whiskey, La Vista, Nebraska[citation needed]
Hillrock Single Malt[citation needed]
Hudson Single Malt[citation needed]
McCarthy's, Mt. Hood, Oregon
New Holland Brewing, Holland, Michigan[17]
Zeppelin Bend
Double Down Barley
Pearse Lyons Reserve (Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company), Lexington,
Kentucky[citation needed]
RoughStock Distillery, Bozeman, Montana[10]
RoughStock Black Label Montana Whiskey
RoughStock Montana Pure Malt Whiskey
St. George Single Malt, Alameda, California
Stranahan's, Denver, Colorado
Swift Single Malt, Dripping Springs, Texas[18]
Wasmunds (Copper Fox Distillery), Sperryville, Virginia
Westland Distillery, Seattle, Washington[19]
Westland American Single Malt
Deacon Seat
Westland Peated Malt
First Peated
Defiant (Blue Ridge Distilling Co., Inc.)[20]
Cedar Ridge Single Malt Whiskey, Cedar Ridge Distillery, Swisher, Iowa[citation needed]
Santa Fe Spirits, Santa Fe, New Mexico[citation needed]
Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey[citation needed]
Silver Coyote Pure Malt Whiskey[citation needed]
Wheat whiskey[edit]
Luxco brands:
D. Nicholson 1843
Davies County
Wall Street
Sazerac brands (and brands produced exclusively by Sazerac) at the Tom Moore
Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky:
Barton Premium Blend
Barton Reserve
Fleishmann's Preferred
Imperial
Kentucky Gentleman
Old Thompson
Sazerac brands at other distilleries:
Ancient Age – Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
Abraham Bowman Virginia Whiskey – A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg,
Virginia
Australian whisky[edit]
Main article: Australian whisky
Australia produces a number of single malt whiskies. Tasmanian whiskies in particular are
receiving global attention. Australian whiskies are winning an increasing number of global
whisky awards and medals, including for example in the World Whiskies Awards and Jim
Murray's Whisky Bible 'Liquid Gold Awards'.[22][23]
Canadian whisky[edit]
Main article: Canadian whisky
Bottles of Canadian Club Whisky for sale at a liquor store in Iizaka, Fukushima, Japan
Brown-Forman brands:
Canadian Mist – Canadian Mist Distillery, Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood Whisky
Diageo brands:
Crown Royal
Seagram's 83 Canadian Whisky
Seagram's Five Star Rye Whisky
Seagram's VO
English whisky[edit]
Main article: English Whisky
Finnish whisky[edit]
Main article: Finnish whisky
Panimoravintola Beer Hunter's Old Buck whisky
German whisky[edit]
Main article: German whisky
SchlitzerDestillerie
Glen Slitisa
SchlitzerBurgen
Bellerhof
Danne'sSchwäbischer Whisky vomBellerhof, formerly Bellerhof-Whisky
BlaueMaus Whisky-Destillerie
GrünerHund Vintage 1991
BlaueMaus Vintage 1993
Krottentaler Vintage 1994
SchwarzerPirat Vintage 1995
Spinnaker 1997
Coillmór
Coillmór Single Malt Whisky
Gruel
Gruel Single Grain Whisky
Höhler
Whessky, Irish Style
Whessky, Scottish Style Single Malt
Whessky, Rye Style
Whessky, Bourbon Style
Rabel
Schwäbischer Whisky
Whisky von der Alb (Spelt Whisky)
Reiner Mösslein
Fränkischer Whiskey
Slyrs
Slyrs Bavarian Single Malt
Sonnenschein
Volker Theurer
Black Horse Original Ammertal Malt & Grain Whisky
Indian whisky[edit]
Main article: Indian whisky
Bagpiper whisky advertisement painted on a liquor store wall inPondicherry
2 Barrels[26]
21st Century[27]
24 Carat Whisky[28]
8 PM
After Dark
Antiquity
Aristocrat
Bachelor[29]
Bagpiper
Best Choice Whisky[30]
Blacpower[29]
Black Jack Whisky[31]
Black Knight[32]
Black Stallion[33]
Blenders Pride
Blue Bull[32]
Blue Patrol[34]
Board's Verdict[35]
Brihans Premium Whisky[36]
Bonus Fine[37]
Casino Club[38]
Castle Club[29]
Capricorn[39]
Cellar 117[32]
Chevalier Whisky[40]
Classic[29]
Colonel's Special[32]
Diamond Whisky[30]
Diplomat Deluxe[32]
Director's Special
Divine Sip[41][42]
Doctor's Choice No. 1 Deluxe Whisky[36]
Double Dog[36]
DSP Black
Dupleix[43]
Evening Special[41][42]
Everyday Gold Prestige Whisky[34]
Gold Class[44]
Gold Medal Whisky[45]
Gold Rush[46]
Golden Eagle[32]
Golden Chariot[29]
Golden Border Whisky[36]
Grand Duke
GS Genius[27]
Gypsy[27]
Havaldar Whisky[36]
Haywards Fine Whisky[47]
Hero No.1 Whisky[36]
High Birds[35]
Hottt Silk[29]
Imperial Blue
Imperial Falcon[28]
Konarak Malt Whisky[48]
Legend[27]
Mansion House Whisky[29]
MaQintosh
Malbros[49]
McDowell's Diplomat[50][51]
McDowell's No.1
McDowell's Green Label, formerly Gilbey's Green Label[52]
Mens Choice Fine Whisky[31]
Milestone 100[27]
Million Dollar[53]
MMB[32]
Mougal Monarch
Mysore Lancer[31]
Naina Premium Whisky[36][54]
Officer's Choice
Old Oak[55]
Old Tavern
Original Choice
Peter Scot
Pioneer No. 1[56]
President[28]
President's Pride[57]
Prestige
Pure Gold[28]
Raffles Whisky[58]
Red Caveliar[44]
Red Knight
The Rockford Reserve[59]
Rowson's Reserve
Royal Arms[49]
Royal Challenge
Royal Circle
Royal Choice[29]
Royal Gold[38]
Royal Gold Cup Whisky[31]
Royal Special
Royal Stag
Senate[29]
Senate Royale[29]
Signature
Silver Jet Whisky[28]
Seven Knights[35]
Shot Whisky[29]
Solan No.1[32]
Stud Whisky[44]
Summer Hall[32]
Sunny Malted Whisky[27]
Tip Top Whisky[56]
Top Brass[32]
White & Blue[60]
White House[29]
Whytehall[61]
Indian single malts[edit]
Amrut
Paul John (also sold in single cask variants)
McDowell's Single Malt[62][63]
Irish whiskey[edit]
Main article: Irish whiskey
Daly's of Tullamore
Dungourney 1964
Dunville's VR
Dunville's Three Crowns
Green Spot
Jameson 15 Year Old Pot Still
Midleton
Old Comber
Redbreast
Willie Napier 1945
Blended Irish whiskeys[edit]
Avoca Crested Ten Hewitts
Ballygeary Dunphys Inishowen
Brennans Erin's Isle Jameson Irish Whiskey
Bushmills Feckin Irish Whiskey John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey
Cassidy's Finian's Five Provinces Kilbeggan
Clontarf 1014 Golden Irish Locke's
Coleraine Grace Michael Collins Blend
Concannon
Single grain Irish whiskeys[edit]
Greenore
Japanese whisky[edit]
Main article: Japanese whisky
Chita
From The Barrel
Fuji Gotemba
Hakushu
Hibiki
Kaku-bin
Nikka
Suntory
Yamazaki
Yoichi
Scotch whisky[edit]
Main article: Scotch whisky
Campbeltown
Glen Scotia
Hazelburn
Kilkerran
Longrow
Springbank
Highland Single Malts[edit]
Main article: Highland Single Malts
Aberfeldy
Balblair
Ben Nevis
Clynelish
The Dalmore
Dalwhinnie
Deanston
Edradour
Fettercairn
Glencadam
Glendronach
Glengoyne
Glen Garioch
Glenmorangie
Glen Ord
Glenturret
Glenugie
Knockdhu
Loch Lomond
The Macallan
McClelland
Millburn
North Port
Oban
Old Pulteney
Royal Brackla
Royal Lochnagar
Tomatin
Tullibardine
Island Single Malts[edit]
Main article: Island Single Malts
Arran
Highland Park
Isle of Jura
Ledaig
Scapa
Talisker
Tobermory
Islay Single Malts[edit]
Main article: Islay Single Malts
Ardbeg
Bowmore
Bruichladdich
Bunnahabhain
CaolIla
Kilchoman
Lagavulin
Laphroaig
Port Askaig
Port Ellen
Port Charlotte
Lowland Single Malts[edit]
Main article: Lowland Single Malts
Ailsa Bay
Annandale
Auchentoshan
Bladnoch
Daftmill
Glenkinchie
Inverleven
Kinclaith
Ladyburn
Rosebank
St Magdalene
Speyside Single Malts[edit]
Main article: Speyside Single Malts
Cameron Brig
Girvan
Invergordon Grain Distillery
North British
Starlaw Distillery
Strathclyde
Blended Malt Scotch whisky[edit]
Main article: Blended malt whisky
Angels' Nectar[65]
Monkey Shoulder
PoitDhubh
Sheep Dip
Sheep Dip Old Hebridean
Blended Scotch whisky[edit]
BailieNicolJarvie Dimple Hunter's Glen
Ballantine's Douglas XO Jon, Mark, and Robbo's
Bell's Dynamic Woman Johnnie Walker
Beneagles The Famous Grouse J&B
Black & White Gallacher& Dunn Label 5
Black Bottle Grand Old Parr Long John
Black Dog (bottled in India) Grand Macnish Sandy Mac Old Scotch W
Buchanan's Grant's MaQ Scotch[66]
Chivas Regal Haig Morriston Gold
Clan MacGregor Hankey Bannister
CuttySark Highland Axe
Dewar's Highland Queen blended Scotch Whisky
Independent bottlers of Scotch whisky[edit]
A. D. Rattray
Adelphi
Blackadder
Cadenhead's
Chieftains
Compass Box Whisky
The Creative Whisky Company
Douglas Laing & Co
Douglas of Drumlanrig
Duncan Taylor
Gordon &MacPhail
Hart Brothers
Ian Macleod Distillers
James MacArthur
Liquid Sun
Master of Malt[68]
Murray McDavid
Old Malt Cask
Queen of the Moorlands
Robert Scott
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Signatory
Spencerfield Spirit Company
Whiskybroker.co.uk
Wild Scotsman
Welsh whisky[edit]
Main article: Welsh whisky
Penderyn
Other whiskies[edit]
A bottle of Mackmyra Den förstautgåvan (first edition) and boxes