Guide Note

A wide range of alcoholic beverages can be considered "whisky." The liquid must be distilled from fermented grain and aged in a wooden barrel. The variety of whisky depends most heavily on the grain used and method of aging.

Fast Facts

1. Spelled "whisky" or "whiskey" depending on the country of production
2. Made from fermented grain mash
3. Scotch Whisky is distilled two to three times
4. Whisky is gluten-free
5. Originally distilled by monks in Ireland
6. At least 40% alcohol by volume

Scotch is the primary form of whisky in the United Kingdom. It can go through several different distillation processes, but must be from Scotland and aged in an oak barrel for at least three years before it can be called scotch whisky. Many prominent scotch whiskies are blended, including Dewar's, Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal.

Bourbon is a corn-based whiskey originating in the United States. It is named specifically after Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it was developed in the 1700s. Most bourbons are produced through a "sour mash" process, meaning it utilizes prior fermentations to enhance the flavor of the new one. In order for a whiskey to be called Bourbon, it must be made in the United States and its grain mixture must be majority corn. Bourbon purists argue that bourbon whiskey must be made in Kentucky.