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Getting into the world of whisky doesn’t need to be overwhelming.

Everybody has their own opinions about whisky, while even those who drink it have their favourite regions and varieties.

If you ask us, there’s no “correct” way to drink whisky – however, just like wine there are several attributes that are pretty generally considered as signs of whiskies which are better than the others!

So, how do you define a “good” whisky?

Luckily, the liquor lovers here at I Like Wine are ready to help out. Below, you’ll find a list of everything you need to know to fool even the most dedicated whisky aficionado.

Looking to buy whisky online? Explore our brilliant range of high-quality whiskies and shop online today!

First: the difference between whisky, bourbon, rye and scotch

The biggest faux pas you can make when it comes to whisky? Mixing up its different varieties!

What makes a true whiskey?

Whisky isn’t a single type of liquor – rather, it’s an umbrella term for many spirits made of grain mash – Scotch, bourbon and rye are all types of whisky, made with different grains and with their own unique properties.

While they may share a similar taste and appearance, there are several differences you need to know:

  • Scotch is made of malted barley and is aged in oak barrels, and only refers to Scottish whisky
  • Bourbon is at least 50% corn, and can only be labelled as such if it comes from the USA
  • Rye is a Canadian whisky made of predominantly – what else? – rye mash
  • Irish whisky is made of unmalted barley and (generally) is triple distilled, making it smoother

Now, onto the main attraction: what makes a “good” whisky?

The differences between different types of whisky

The difference between different malts and blends

There are two words you’ll hear being thrown around a lot when it comes to different types of whiskies: “malt” and “blend”.

Both have significant impacts on the taste of your whisky – but what do they mean exactly?

What defines a single malt whisky is its “purity” for lack of a better word. Unlike other varieties, single malt is made from a single distillery, from a single variety of whisky.

The result is much purer flavour that really captures the character of that particular distillery.

By contrast, blended whiskies are – what else? – blended from different types of whisky (either from the same distillery or a different one) in order to create new flavour profiles.

The quality of the cask

Most varieties of whisky are matured in an oak cask, which affects the taste of the resulting product. In fact, it’s one of the most influential processes that define the taste of whisky:

Type of oak Resulting flavour
American white oak Mellow, soft, vanilla, caramel
European oak Spicy, bitter

The reason for this difference is the presence of Gallic acid, which is what gives the whisky its spicy or bitter flavour.

Since American oak doesn’t contain this compound, the resulting taste tends to be somewhat softer.

Should I choose an older whisky?

Generally speaking, whisky tends to improve with age, which is why it’s left in oak barrels for several years – typically three.

It’s during this time that the whisky reacts to the barrel, absorbing sugars and tannins. And since older whiskies have had more time to soak in the flavour, they tend to have the most complex flavours.

Of course, it’s worth noting that ageing doesn’t necessarily lead to the best flavour.

Whisky that’s aged for too long can end up tasting more like oak than spirit, as they say, completely taking the edge out.

The health benefits of whisky: should these factor into your decision?

Believe it or not, there are several health benefits of drinking whisky (in moderation, of course). These may include:

  • Aiding in digestion
  • Reducing your risk of dementia
  • Reduced risk of stroke
  • Helping you deal with colds

While the health benefits of whisky mightn’t be the first thing on your mind when buying a drink, it’s something you might want to look into!

So with all that in mind, what exactly makes for a good whisky?

The answer is whatever speaks to your palate!

It might sound like a bit of a cop-out, but really, there is no universally-accepted “good” whisky. You do you – if you prefer older whiskies, go for it!

The beautiful thing is that there are countless different types of whisky out there, from Dublin Whiskey to Blanton’s Original Private Reserve from Kentucky, USA.

And the best part is that thanks to the internet, you don’t even have to leave the home to figure it out.

H4> What factors affect the quality of whiskey?

By now, we hope you understand that there are many factors that contribute to the profile of different types of whiskies. To summarise, remember that profile, flavour, and quality can be impacted by a range of different factors across the entire processing lifecycle:

  • Type and quality of grain
  • Water source and quality
  • Yeast strain and fermentation process
  • Distillation method and equipment
  • Type and quality of barrel used for ageing
  • Length of time spent ageing in the barrel
  • Environmental conditions during ageing (temperature, humidity, etc.)
  • Blending of different whiskeys to achieve desired flavour profile

Buy whisky online from I Like Wine

Buy whisky online with I like Wine

Planning a big event in the near future? Looking for a high-quality or unique whisky? Simply can’t be bothered making multiple runs to your local bottle shop?

Luckily for you, I Like Wine has you covered.

While wine may be in our name, by no means is it the only type of drink we stock in our online wine shop. We also stock a diverse range of whiskies from all over the world.

Explore our catalogue and secure your favourite whisky or discover a new one! Buy whisky online now.

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