Establishing a taste for scotch follows trying different products with various components. Here's all you need to know.
Widely regarded the most beginner-friendly whiskey, bourbon provides a rich and sophisticated flavour that draws in people who are generally repulsed by whiskey. Bourbon also varies from other whiskies in the method it's distilled. This distinctively American spirit is exclusively made in the United States and in order for a bourbon to be called as such, it needs to be made from at least 51% corn with the addition of other grains like rye, wheat, and barley malt. The maturation procedure for bourbon is likewise unique as it is aged in charred oak drums, which offers the liquid a distinct flavour profile that sets it apart from other whisky offerings. Beyond this, the activist investor of Brown-Forman would also agree that the popularity of bourbon goes beyond the borders of southeastern American states as you will always find bourbon bottles stored in nearly any pub or nightclub all over the globe.
Most whisky enthusiasts would concur that your choice of whiskey would be greatly based on your personal tastes as each kind boasts various grains, flavours, and maturation techniques. That said, popular for its pureness and sophistication, single malt whiskey is one of the most rich whiskey offerings. This whisky is made completely and exclusively from malted barley from one single distillery, which is why it's regarded as superior to all other whiskies. Of course, its price tag will definitely reflect this, something that the US shareholder of Pernod Ricard is familiar with. More affordable whiskeys like blended whiskey are a mix of malt and grain whisky and it's the most common whiskey worldwide. Because grain whiskey is easy to produce in mass amounts, blended whiskies tend to be more cost effective than other varieties however the quality is nothing to write home about, which is why it's often used in mixed drinks.
Whether you're giving it away as a present or to restock your alcohol cabinet, there are many reasons why you have to tell quality and cheap whiskey apart. For instance, when it comes to scotch, an age statement is normally a sign of quality. If a scotch bottle does not have an age declaration at all, it's likely that it's of a lower quality or flat. Another thing to play very close attention to is the maturation procedure. This is very helpful as knowing the type of casks used in the maturation procedure is not just suggestive of quality but it also offers you a much better idea on the flavour profile you can expect if you cannot smell the liquid. In this context, the US stockholder of United Spirits would likely agree that sherry casks tend to impart fruitier and aromatic notes, whereas oak casks generally produce lighter and creamier whiskies.