Types Of Scotch Whisky
Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories.
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky is distilled at a single distillery from water and malted barley without adding any other grains.
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky is distilled at a single distillery from water and malted barley with or without whole grains of other malted or unmalted grains.
- Blended Scotch Whisky is the product of blending different types of whiskies and sometimes also neutral grain spirits, coloring, and flavorings.
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is distilled at more than one distillery from a combination of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies.
- Blended Grain Scotch Whisky is made from two or more single malt scotch whiskies from different distilleries.
You can learn more about these whisky categories here.
Bourbon Is Whiskey Scotch Is Whisky
The “whiskey” spelling is used for American and Irish spirits, including bourbon. Conversely, “whisky” is used by the rest of the world, including Europe, Australia, Japan and, of course, Scotland. Regardless of spelling, all whiskey or whisky must be distilled to a minimum of 40 percent and a maximum of 94.8 percent alcohol by volume .
Difference 2 Bourbon Cream Recipe Vs Rum Cream Recipe
Second, lets take a closer look at the differences between bourbon and rum creams.
Similar to the first difference, both products begin with the same base ingredientsmilk and butterbut the alcohol content makes them quite different.
Bourbon creams typically contain 40% to 50% ABV , whereas rum creams contain anywhere between 10% and 20%.
In addition to the higher percentage of alcohol in rum creams, they tend to be less sweet because they arent flavored, unlike bourbon creams, which include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, coriander, ginger, orange peel, and other tropical spice extracts.
As far as texture goes, bourbon creams are thicker due to their high concentration of fats and they are lighter colored compared to rum creams, which are usually darker due to the caramel coloring added during processing.
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Does Bourbon Taste Different Than Whiskey
Bourbon has a bit of a sweeter, smoother taste then whiskey, with notes of caramel and vanilla. This is because it is always made from at least 51% corn, which is naturally quite sweet. Whiskey can vary in flavor depending on how long its has been aged, where it comes from, and how it is made, and can range from oaky and dry to a full-bodied caramel-like flavor. You definitely can’t go wrong with either!
What Is A Blended Whiskey Then
Blended whiskies are the mixture of single malt whiskeys from different distilleries. The choice of using liquids from various places is down to the Master Blender and is an incredibly difficult task. The Master Distiller will create the blend using different types of whiskeys from single grain Scotch to rye whiskey in order to create the unique taste identity that will define the drink. They work in meticulous detail ensuring that proportions are just right and that each blend is not only phenomenal but consistent in quality and brand identity.
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Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen Whisky
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen Whisky is a very specially crafted bourbon whiskey that uses iconic flavors and signature notes from the ghost distilleries in order to provide a smooth and premium tasting drink.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen Whisky uses very precious casks that are exclusive to the ghost distilleries which give the bourbon an added volume and overall bold taste that you wont find in many other bourbon whiskey options available on the market.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen Whisky uses a variety of carefully selected liquid formulas that provide a very refreshing yet deep and robust flavor profile to the bourbon overall.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen Whisky uses very exclusive malts and grains in order to create the perfectly blended bourbon option that many people all around the world love to consume.
What Makes A Whiskey Bourbon
The quick answer is the law. Making bourbon is an exceedingly technical exercise, and requires that the whiskey meet rigid criteria. The Federal Standard of Identify for Bourbon stipulate what is and what isnât bourbon. For a whiskey to call itself bourbon, its mashâthe mixture of grains from which the product is distilledâmust contain at least 51 percent corn. The rest of the mash is usually filled out with malted barley and either rye or wheat.
Then, the mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less and put into the barrel at 125 proof or less, It also can’t contain any additives. The distillate needs to be aged in a new charred oak barrel. If you distill a whiskey in your kitchen that meets all of these standards, congratsâyouâve made bourbon. Also, youâve broken the law. The ATF will be on its way shortly.
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How To Drink Scotch Whisky
Scotch is predominantly consumed neat, without ice or mixers. A single serving of scotch is often called a dram. It can also be served on the rocks or with a few drops of water. “If you’re trying to get the most out of a whisky, I suggest trying it neat first, then adding a splash of water and see how that changes the flavor,” Allardice says.
Scotch is known for its complexity and nuance, so it isn’t often used in mixing cocktails. In most whisky cocktails, it makes more sense to use more affordable, spicier, high proof whiskey like bourbon or rye.
There are a few popular cocktails that use scotch as a base spirit, however. The Bobby Burns is a classic blended scotch cocktail made with sweet vermouth and is similar to a Manhattan. The Penicillin is a modern classic invented by Sam Ross that mixes blended scotch with lemon juice, ginger syrup, and honey syrup with a float of Islay scotch on top to add a hint of smoke.
What Is The Alcohol Content Of Bourbon Cream
A simple bourbon cream recipe is very easy to make at home, but it can be a bit tricky when you want to get the right amount of booze in there without adding too much sugar or using too much cream.
The answer here comes down to two factors how strong your bourbon is and what type of cream you use.
In general, we recommend starting off with one bottle of bourbon per 750ml/25fl oz serving of cream.
If you have any leftover, keep it around for another batch.
When choosing which kind of cream to go with, the first thing to do is check out its alcohol content.
Some brands of whipping cream will say heavy cream on their labels, while others may just call them whipping cream.
Whichever name they use, both types of cream contain about 35-45% ABV, making them ideal for baking and cooking.
If you arent sure where to find these kinds of products, you should look into online retailers such as Amazon, Gourmet Garage, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Market, Penzey Spices, etc., who all carry high quality ingredients, including heavy cream.
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Is Bourbon Considered Brandy
No, bourbon is not considered a brandy but a type of whiskey. Brandy is made from fermented wine , while bourbon is made from distilled fermented grain mash. It may have similarities in colors and taste you cannot consider bourbon a brandy and vice versa.
According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, an authentic bourbon must be produced in the United States, while brandy does not have a restriction on its production location.
In addition, whiskey bourbon is more expensive than brandy because it needs to be aged for at least two years.
Other Ways To Consume Bourbon
There are plenty of other options available when it comes to consuming bourbon, including eating it.
For instance, you could eat it straight or add it to your cereal or oatmeal.
Another possibility is adding it to coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
When it comes to mixing cocktails, you might enjoy putting it into smoothies, milkshakes, and sauces.
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Know Your Drink: Whiskey Vs Bourbon Vs Scotch
Whether youre ordering a whiskey neat or on the rocks, whiskey is one of Americas favorite drinks to order at a bar. Whiskey comes in many forms and variations such as scotch vs whiskey bourbon, rye whiskey, etc.
When it comes to choosing a drink, there are so many options. But not all of them are created equal. Scotch, bourbon, and whiskey are three different types of alcohol that you might see on the menu or in your local liquor store. All drinks may seem the same at first glance, but they have their own unique characteristics that make them stand apart from one another.
Lets take an informative look at these three popular distilled alcoholic beverages that are derived from different grains and tell the whiskey vs bourbon vs scotch story.
What Is Single Malt Scotch
Single malt scotch is the elite of Scottish whiskeys. The single in the name refers to the fact it comes from a single distillery and is made from 100% malted barley. As long as all the liquid comes from the same distillery, this is a single malt. The number on the label refers to the youngest whiskey in the blend, even if the liquid in the bottle comes from a few hundred different barrels. As a general rule of thumb, single malt whiskey is generally aged for 10 years or more but can be aged anything from 12-21 years. In general, the older it is, teh better it gets.
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What Is The Difference Between A Bourbon Cream And A Whisky Cream
The main distinction between these two types of drinks comes down to their primary ingredients.
Whisky cream contains whiskey as its base component, while bourbon cream uses bourbon instead.
Whiskey and bourbon have similar flavors, but they also come from different regions in North America.
Bourbon originated from Kentucky, where many distilleries still exist today.
Whiskeys were created by Scottish settlers who settled in Ireland during the 18th century.
Whisky cream is generally sweeter than Bourbon cream due to the higher sugar content of whiskeys compared to bourbons.
However, both varieties can be served at room temperature or chilled before consumption.
They Have Different Flavors
While both can have smokey, charred notes, Scotch and bourbon develop these traits through different means. Bourbon draws its oaky, vanilla-like flavors from the charred surface of the barrels in which it ages, whereas Scotch’s smoke comes largely from peat burned in the barley malting process. Keep in mind though that not all scotches have a peaty flavor. In fact, only two of the five Scotch producing regions are known for that signature peatiness.
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Can Bourbon Be Made Outside Of America
No. The federal standards governing the identity of bourbon dictate that it is a distinctive product of the United States and that the word bourbon shall not be used to describe any whisky or whisky-based distilled spirits not produced in the United States.According to Swati Sharma, Co-Founder, The Dram Club, sweetness is what marks bourbon from the other varieties of whisky. Since bourbons are made of copious amount of corn they have a delightful sweetness with pronounced notes of vanilla that cant be found in most barley and rye-based whiskies, she clarifies. They also tend to be a bit smoky due to the charred oak. But it takes years of practice of nosing and tasting even for experts to tell the difference between the vast styles of whiskies. The best way to keep getting better at it is to try a mix of both Bourbon and Scotch/other styles and make notes of the difference you can perceive in the nose and on the palate.
Okay Whats Malt Whats Peat
Malt is the germinated sprout of the barleycorn. This sprouting causes the carbohydrates to convert to sugars and enzymes made available for the fermentation process. The germination is stopped when the malt is dried with peat smoke.
Peat is moss and vegetation that, in a way, has gone through its own fermentation and aging. Peat is used from ancient times through today for fuel the heat generated from burning peat is intense and long lived. Think of it as the easily accessible precursor of coal.
Anyhow, I was thoroughly embarrassed when I started my research on Irish whisky for an upcoming podcast. As a generalized rule, Irish whisky is made with corn, wheat, and rye nowadays, while Scotch’s primary flavor is peat-smoked barley malt.
Bottom-line discovery: Scotch is peated Irish is not peated. This I did not know!
Just how ignorant of my own Scots-Irish heritage was I?
This newfound knowledge has me thinking that a horizontal tasting is required between the three whiskeys. Embarrassment aside, I think Ill give Chris a call, and I think I get a Mulligan.
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Alternatives To Bourbon & Scotch Whisky
Regular bourbon and scotch whisky arent the only types of whiskey options out on the market.
There are several other types of bourbon and scotch whiskey products out on the market that you can choose from all across the world. Below, were going to cover some of the most popular alternatives to bourbon and scotch whiskey so that you arent limited to a certain type of kind of alcoholic beverage.
They Have Different Abv Requirements
Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 80 percent alcohol and be no more than 62.5 percent when put into casks for aging in new charred oak barrels. Scotch, however, must have an ABV of less than 94.8 percent and is aged in used oak barrels, including those that previously stored Sherry, beer and, yes, bourbon.
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Is Tennessee Whiskey Bourbon
Yes and no. The difference between Tennessee whiskey, like Jack Danielâs, and bourbon is that after the spirit is distilled, Tennessee whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal. This filtering, known as the Lincoln County Process, is what distinguishes Tennessee whiskey from your average bourbon, like Jim Beam. The name bourbon actually comes from an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky.
On top of these types of whiskey, we also have rye whiskey, which can refer either to American rye whiskey, which must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye, or Canadian whisky, which may or may not actually include any rye in its production process.
The Fermentation Process Of Scotch And Bourbon
When you decide to buy a bottle of either scotch or bourbon, you can be 100% positive that youre getting the highest quality alcoholic beverage thanks to the production regulations implemented across the US.
For the alcoholic beverage to be labeled as scotch, the main ingredient of the fermentation process has to be malted barley. Whats more, ingredients such as water and yeast are commonly used when making scotch. Its not uncommon for the manufacturers to opt for whole cereal grains in order to further adjust the flavor and color of the drink.
Scotch whiskey ingredients:
- Whole cereal grain
In the case of bourbon, the fermentation process has to use a grain mix that contains 51% of corn at least. Manufacturers often use a mix of wheat, barley, and rye in order to create the ideal bourbon brew.
Bourbon whiskey ingredients:
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What Are The Taste Differences Between Bourbon And Scotch
Scotch is traditionally a robust whiskey with a smoky, slightly fruity flavor profile. This smokiness comes from the peat fires used to dry malted barley used for the scotch. Many say that scotch is more of an acquired taste than bourbon.
Bourbon, on the other hand, is sweeter and more mellow with a vanilla and caramel taste. This comes from a combination of its corn-forward mashbill and years of soaking in charred barrels during Kentucky summers and winters .
Whats The Proper Way To Drink Scotch And Bourbon
Because scotch and bourbon are both whiskeys, you can drink them in a variety of ways. However, there are two popular ways to drink them: neat and on the rocks. Neat means that youre drinking the whiskey without any ice or mixers. On the rocks means that youre drinking it with ice.
Theres also a difference in how long the two types should be aged before being consumed. Some people believe that bourbon should be aged at least 4 years while scotch should be aged at least 10 years before being consumed.
Others would argue that anything over 12 years old is too old for consumption, regardless of whether its scotch or bourbon because the oak begins to overpower the other flavors in the bottle.
As for which one tastes better?
It all comes down to personal preference some people prefer bourbon while others prefer scotch .
But I, obviously, recommend bourbon over scotch.
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What Is Bourbon Whiskey
Unlike Scotch whiskies, malted barley often takes a back seat to corn, rye, and even wheat grains in bourbon making. Although a portion of malted barley anywhere from 5 to 25 percent is still used by most distilleries by tradition, bourbon doesnt need to contain any barley. And because the use of lab-produced enzyme additions is not prohibited like they are in Scotland, it is possible to convert grain starch into sugar without malted barley. Craft brands have released bourbon products with zero malt content.
Differences Between Scotch Whiskey And Bourbon
Karen is a wine, cocktails, and food enthusiast. She holds a California Wine Appellation Specialist certificate from the San Francisco wine school and a Bar Smarts mixology certificate and bartends for charitable events.
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When considering spirits, some people struggle to understand the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. While there are basic similarities in scotch, bourbon, and whiskey, each has characteristics and manufacturing practices that make them unique.
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