Whiskey - a drink so old that it is impossible to say exactly where its homeland is. Two countries claim this title: Ireland and Scotland. Each of them has its own vision of the origin of this drink. Today, not only these countries import it. For example, one of the best varieties is Black Velvet whiskey. In different parts of the world its own recipe and traditions of use.
Drink history
The Scots believe that they inherited whiskey from Christian missionaries who replaced grapes with barley and got a completely new taste and aroma of a strong drink. And in Ireland they think that this is the same “holy water” created by their patron Saint Patrick. Perhaps the Scots are closer to the truth, if only because the distillation cube was invented in Scotland by Robert Stein. At the beginning of its journey, this strong alcoholic drink was a medicine prepared by the Scottish monks. They began to use it in everyday life only when the recipe and technology fell into the hands of the peasants. Then they used barley, and rye, and oats. For example, modern Black Velvet whiskey is made from rye, barley and malt.
Production technology
Production can be divided into six main stages:
- Barley is dried first. Then it is soaked, and when it sprouts in about 10 days, it is dried again, and in Ireland, hot smoke from burning peat, beech wood or coal is used for this. So get barley malt.
- To produce wort, crushed malt is soaked in hot water for 12 hours.
- After that, yeast is added to the wort and left to ferment for two days. The output is already an alcoholic drink with a strength of 5%.
- The resulting beverage is subjected to distillation twice. So get a whiskey with a strength of up to 70%, which is then diluted to 50-63%.
- Exposure
- Filtration and bottling.
Canadian whiskey Black Velvet
Not only Ireland and Scotland import elite varieties of their favorite drink. Black Velvet whiskey, or "Black Velvet", began to be produced relatively recently - in the middle of the last century. The birthplace of the drink is Canada. Whiskey ripens in barrels for two years, after which it is mixed with corn spirit and aged again in large oak barrels. After some time, it is filtered and diluted with water to 40 degrees. This is the youngest variety, but today it is imported to more than 50 countries.
Black Velvet Reserve - whiskey, which is aged in barrels for at least 8 years. Then it is bottled. The maximum volume of containers in which Black Velvet (whiskey) is sold is 1l. The price of this alcohol is very affordable and is only $ 30.
Drink Culture
In America, bourbon has traditionally been diluted with soda or Cola. If it is not of very good quality, then this is quite acceptable. But a good drink, such as Black Velvet whiskey, is best drunk in its purest form. Ice is also not needed, since it only prevents the aroma from opening up.
This is a strong alcoholic drink, so they drink it mainly in the evening. It is best combined with a relaxed home atmosphere, a comfortable armchair, and a good cigar. Whiskey is not suitable for the atmosphere of a night club.
Unlike cognac, it is drunk slightly chilled - up to 18-20 degrees. Usually special glasses with a thick bottom are served, but it is permissible, or maybe better, to drink whiskey from wine glasses, as this way the aroma is better revealed. A glass or glass is filled by no more than a third. Men pour themselves, but women do not do this according to etiquette, and gentlemen should take care of them. It should be noted that whiskey is generally considered a non-feminine drink.
It is best to eat fruit. It can also be diluted with mineral water.
Whiskey based cocktails
Thanks to its pleasant aroma and warming effect, the so-called Irish coffee is very popular all over the world. 50 ml of whiskey is added to hot natural coffee, and whipped cream is spread on top. This cocktail has been prepared for almost 100 years.
Whiskey is also used in the well-known Manhattan cocktail. In it, alcohol is mixed with orange and apricot juices in equal parts. Usually take 20 ml of each ingredient. The glass is decorated with a cocktail cherry.
The whiskey-cola cocktail has nothing in common in taste with the inexpensive low - alcohol bottled drink that appeared on our market in the early 90's. To get a tasty, sweet and fragrant drink, whiskey is mixed with Coca-Cola or Pepsi-Cola in a 1: 1 ratio. Drink this cocktail, unlike pure whiskey, with lots of ice.
In the USA, they love the Whiskey Sauer cocktail. To prepare it, mix 40 ml of bourbon, 20 ml of lemon juice and 20 ml of sugar syrup. This drink is served with ice.
Our invention is already a cocktail “Good Health”. In equal parts, whiskey, rum, Drambuy liquor and cherry liquor are mixed.
Whiskey is a very popular component of alcoholic cocktails. This old conservative male drink somehow magically became a part of club culture. However, the strong taste of Coca-Cola, the taste and aroma of citrus fruits, and a large amount of ice do not allow you to feel and appreciate the whole bouquet of aromas of real good bourbon.