Having tasted whiskey for the first time, you will either become his admirer or admirer, or you will treat him scornfully, as a too highly advertised elite alcohol. In the second case, most likely, you tasted a drink with not “your” relish, and therefore you should just try a different variety, with a different bouquet.
This strong alcoholic drink with an alcohol content of up to 50-60 degrees has a characteristic bright taste and exquisite aroma. It is customary not to drink good whiskey in one gulp to quickly get drunk, but relish it in good company for unhurried conversations or in the appropriate mood.
The amazing virtues of a gentlemen's drink
True quality whiskey - it is also called “living water” - with moderate consumption, has a beneficial effect on the human body, expanding blood vessels and thereby stimulating blood circulation. Thanks to this, the body comes into tone, the brain's working capacity increases, which activates the concentration of attention, creative and analytical abilities.
This happens with the right combination of natural essential oils of grain and tree resins, tannins, thoroughly refined alcohols, and other ingredients that are part of high-quality whiskey. Incorrect combination of components or saving on raw materials cause unpleasant consequences and symptoms.
How is "living water" created?
To get the best whiskey:
- Within about 10 days, malting occurs - the germination of moistened grain, which is the taste base.
- After that, the malt is dried in various ways, adding additional shades to the bouquet.
- Malt is ground, hot water is added and kept until wort is obtained, after which yeast is introduced and the fermentation process takes place.
- The fermented drink is distilled several times - distilled - getting strong alcohol.
- The finished product is aged for at least three years, most often in oak barrels of sherry, ale, bourbon and others, which each distillery selects at its discretion, which adds an additional aroma, dark color and softness.
- Filtration and bottling - the elegant "living water" from the malt is ready.
The nuances and subtleties with which this delicious drink is born are many.
Which whiskey is better to choose for the first tasting or to present as a gift, some tips on important points that dramatically affect the refined taste and delicate aroma will tell. Pay attention when choosing whiskey for the aging period, country of origin and manufacturer.
Exposure period
A strong alcoholic beverage obtained after distillation, only when infused in fragrant barrels, acquires characteristic and noble notes and nuances of taste. The aging time indicated on the bottles indicates the age of the youngest of the alcohols. When deciding which whiskey is better to choose, focus on an average period of 5-10 years - the drink will be sufficiently aged.
Scotch whiskey
Proud highlanders ascribe to themselves the invention of "living water" and have ancient traditions of its manufacture. For most drinks from Scotland, malt barley is used. It is dried on peat charcoal and the mash is distilled only two times, which is why the finished product often has a strong or smoked taste. At different distilleries, the degree of strength of this unusual relish is different, but if you are not afraid of it, then connoisseurs recommend as good whiskeys of the brands “Macallan”, “Glenfidditch”, “Glenlivet” (with a mild aroma), “Duars”, “Higlant Park” and Chivas (with a strong tart tint).
Ancient Scottish technologies and traditions bring a lot of exclusive notes and nuances and are highly valued in the rating of “living water”. According to experts, in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013, drinks from Scottish producers received the title of “Best Whiskey in the World”.
Irish whiskey
The name of the drink differs from its Scottish counterpart. The Irish also claim to be the first inventors of whiskey and are proud of no less ancient traditions and methods of production. At the same time, malt is produced with the addition of rye grain, dried in ovens, and not smoked, and the fermented wort is distilled three times. Therefore, the Irish drink has a more balanced, rich, persistent, soft, “creamy” flavor.
Good whiskey brands such as Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore, St. Patrick, Coolie, Midleton have proven themselves.
American bourbon
The Yankee version of whiskey is made up of more than 51% corn grain, and the rest is barley, wheat and rye. Bourbon is produced without malting, by simple grinding of grain and fermentation. To accelerate the ripening procedure, barrels that are burnt inside are used, thanks to which the process of ripening the drink is faster, and the minimum aging time of the American corn whiskey is two years. Its taste is sweetish, and the aroma after aging is characteristic and deep.
The most famous bourbon brands are Jim Beam and Jack Daniels. A characteristic feature of the latter are special filters made of sugar maple, which adds a unique bouquet. Due to its sweetness and saturation, this type of whiskey is popular for the first acquaintance with the drink.
Japanese whiskey
Historically, the youngest producer of malt “water of life” is quickly gaining a leading position among experts and experts. In 2008, 2011 and 2012, Japanese producers earned the Grand Prix for the best whiskey in the world. The technology for creating the drink is closest to Scottish traditions, including the use of imported peat and the addition of malt scotch tape when blending, but at the same time high-tech. Both barley and rice, corn, millet serve as raw materials, and the aroma is not so smoked.
The taste of the drink is affected by the raw materials used for its production: rye and buckwheat add bitterness, barley - a harsh flavor, corn and rice - lightness and softness. Equally important is the water used, the climate and the air in which the product is created, the technological subtleties, the material of the filters and barrels for aging, and aging time. Therefore, even the whiskey of one country, one distillery, one brand and even from neighboring barrels can differ, like heaven and earth.
Composition of "living water": which whiskey is considered good
Here is what you need to start to know, remember or write down, going to the store:
Grain Whiskey . This drink is made from a mixture of various cereals, which is mainly used as a raw material for blending.
Malt whiskey (Malt whiskey) - made only from barley malt, which can be:
- Single cask - a one-piece drink from one barrel, can be diluted with water to a standard alcoholic strength;
- Single malt - a combination of only malt drinks from one distillery, possibly with different aging times. The most popular among connoisseurs and connoisseurs of malt whiskey. Someone believes that its taste and aroma are too harsh, and it needs to be softened with a blend, but over time, after tasting the drink, you will not agree with this.
- Barrel (vatted malt) - a combination of malt "living water" of different distilleries in one barrel.
Mixed or blended whiskey (Blended whiskey) - the most popular among consumers - more than 90% of the demand, the type of drink, which is a blend of malt and grain components.
And the last: you should not overpay for a popular brand and packaging, you can always choose a good inexpensive inexpensive whiskey at a reasonable price. The main thing is to understand what exactly you are looking for.
Now you know the necessary minimum about this beautiful and refined drink and are a little guided in the wealth of choice. You will be able to competently find several varieties to try and decide which “living water” is yours. Chatting with good whiskey will delight you.