Whiskey is a strong drink. It is made from natural cereal crops, yeast and water, and kept in special barrels. Only three countries are producing this drink: Scotland, USA and Ireland. The most popular is Scottish. Many people confuse single malt and blended whiskey , we will try to understand this problem and consider each type of Scottish elixir.
Varieties of Scottish drink
There are three varieties:
- malt;
- grain;
- blended whiskey.
Production technology
Malt (malt) whiskey
For production use barley. Barley is carefully sorted, cleaned and dried. Then soaked in water. Water should be saturated with oxygen. The soaking process ends when the grains begin to germinate. Sprouted barley is dried, the temperature should be 65 degrees. Drying takes place in a special room where grains are smoked using peat. In this way, malt is obtained, which is then ground and mixed with hot water. The yeast is cooled and added to the solution. The fermentation process begins and lasts 3 days. The result is a “wash” that undergoes double distillation (12 hours). Water is added from the source to lower the strength of the drink. Aged malt in oak barrels. The exposure time varies, but not less than 3 years. The following varieties are distinguished: barrel (from various distilleries) and single malt (produced by one distillery).
Grain whiskey
The raw material for the production of grain whiskey are cereals (wheat, corn). This type of whiskey is only distilled (continuously). It is much softer than malt and can be said to be the technical raw material used for blended production.
Blended whiskey
For the manufacture of two types are mixed: malt and grain. Blended whiskey - the most publicized drink, which combines the tastes of various varieties. Divide it into 3 types:
- standard (component exposure is at least three years). The most famous blends - "Johnnie Walker", "Ballantine's";
- class de luxe blend. This species can withstand about 12 years. Popular brands: Chivas Regal, William Lawson;
- premium class. Aging blend is more than 12 years. Famous brands: Macallan 1926, Dalmore 62.
Blended whiskey is on the list of the most expensive elite drinks in the world. Most of the sales are mixed varieties, but more and more buyers are attracted by single malt.
So, as we see, single malt and blended whiskeys are completely different drinks, but both varieties are exquisite.
How to use?
Scotch blended whiskey - a royal drink. They are used from two types of glasses: tulip-shaped (to evaluate the color, taste and aroma of the drink) and wide with a thick bottom (to mix with water, cola, vermouth). Scots prefer to drink whiskey according to Rule 5 "S": inhale, admire, relish, dilute, swallow. The temperature of the drink should be about 18-21 degrees, at this temperature a bouquet of aroma is revealed. If you are just going to plunge into the world of whiskey, then you should start with a blended one!