With a history spanning over 500 years, whisky is produced by brewers the world over. Starting in its homeland Scotland, a number distinctive types and variations of whisky are being produced thought the world.
With recent advancements in the technology are giving whisky manufacturers the ability to control every aspects of the whisky production - from growing of malt and other grains, to the harvest, preparation, distillation, blending, aging, packaging and transportation of their products. Listed below are some of the basic types of whisky produced today, separated in several common groups.
Basic Whiskey Types
Grain whiskey - A whiskey made from grains other than malted barley that’s distilled in a continuous column still, which produces a light-tasting whiskey. Grain whiskey is usually mixed with malt whiskey to create a blended whiskey.
Blended whiskey - Containing both malt whiskey and grain whiskey. It’s the most common kind of whiskey available. Brands include Dewar’s, Johnnie Walker, Seagram’s Seven Crown, and Chivas Regal.
Single malt whiskey - Produced from a single malted grain, traditionally barley, that is made in one distillery. The term is most often applied to Scotch whisky.
Single barrel whiskey - The entire bottle came from one barrel of whiskey instead of a blend from many barrels. This term is most often applied to Bourbons.
Straight whiskey - Term used for an American whiskey that is aged for 2 years or more in new charred white oak barrels.
