They Come From Different Places
Contrary to popular belief, bourbon can be made outside of Kentucky. However, to legally qualify as bourbon, it must be made in the United States. Simlarly, in order for a whisky to be called Scotch, it must be made in Scotland. Japanese whisky, for example, is similar to Scotch in many ways. But it’s not Scotch, because it’s made in Japan.
Difference Between Scotch And Whiskey
Scotch vs Whiskey
The role of alcoholic beverages in breaking the ice and also to make people relax and enjoy a gathering is well known. In any celebration, alcohol plays a very important role. Alcohol based drinks are especially popular among men though women do not seem to be far behind in the use of these beverages. There are many different types of alcoholic beverages such as whisky, rum, tequila, vodka, and so on. There is also scotch, an alcoholic beverage that has its origins in Scotland. Many believe a scotch is different from whisky as it has a different aroma, color, and taste than a whisky. However, the reality is that a scotch is only a type of whisky. There are many differences between any other whisky and Scotch whisky that will be highlighted in this article.
Whisky
Known as strong water and water of life in ancient times, whisky is an alcoholic beverage that is made through distillation of grain that has been fermented. Many different types of grains are being used around the world to make whisky such as barley, malt, wheat, corn, and even rye. Aging is a very important process required for making of whisky and after distillation, the alcoholic beverage is aged by keeping it inside wooden barrels made of oak.
Scotch
What is the difference between Scotch and Whiskey?
All scotch is whisky but not all whisky is scotch.
Scotch is a type of whisky made from malted barley and water and inside Scotland only.
How Does The Taste Of Scotch And Whiskey Compare
Scotch vs. whiskey flavors can vary quite a bit. Whiskeys flavor depends on the variety produced and the process used to do so. For example, bourbons are usually vanilla, caramel, and oak-heavy, while rye or Canadian whiskey is sharper, drier, lighter, and spicier. But, there are some taste similarities between whiskey types since they all use a form of cask, grain, and fermentation and distillation.Scotch is heavier, fuller, more intense, and smokier than whiskey. You might taste these notes when drinking Scotch:
- Leather
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What Is Blended Scotch Whiskey
Blended Scotch is a blend of malt whiskey and grain whisky. The whiskies must be matured in oak barrels for at least three years, and if a bottle bears an age statement, such as “8 Years Old,” it signifies that the youngest whiskey in the mix is that old. While most blends contain two or more types of whiskey, some include only one: no-age-statement Blended Scotch can also be called Superblend.
The traditional blending process starts with finding brands that have similar characteristics. For example, if you like Highland Park 12-year-old, then other highland park products might also taste good to you. Once the brands are selected, their different styles are mixed together in defined proportions. Finally, the resulting mixture is aged in new American oak barrels for a minimum of three years, which is how it becomes mature enough to be called Scotch whiskey. Most blenders choose to extend this aging time up to eight years or more.
The traditional method may not work for every producer, so some add extra ingredients to their blends to enhance the flavor. For example, some use wine instead of beer as a blender, while others add herbs or spices. Some producers also use these same techniques to create special releases or limited editions.
In general, blended scotch is made from malted barley and wheat, with a small amount of corn used as a filler.
Ordering Whisky In Scotland
The first rule of ordering whisky in Scotland is to never call it Scotch. It’s whisky when it’s blended and malt when it’s single-malt. When ordering malt, it’s a faux pas to order it on the rocks because ice numbs the tongue and does not let you appreciate the flavor of the whisky. You can drink malt neat or with a drop of water. Ordering it with Coke, of course, is also a terrible idea.
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Single Malt Vs Blended Whisky
Writing for the BBC, travel Brad Cohen explains the difference between blended and single-malt whisky:
Blended whisky, which comprises more than 80% of the market, including brands like Johnnie Walker and Dewars, is a mix oÂf malt and grain whiskies that come from multiple distilleries. Single malt, which Scottish drinkers often refer to as malt rather than whisky .
What Makes It Bourbon
U.S. laws regulate what manufacturers can label as bourbon.
- The mash used must contain at least 51% corn.
- The only additive allowed outside of the mash and the yeast is water. No other additives may be used.
- It must be 160 proof or less.
- It can only be produced in the United States.
- It must be aged for at least two years.
- Aging takes place in new white oak barrels that have been charred.
- While the main grain in bourbon is corn, other grains may include rye, barley, or malt.
- Enjoy it in a classic mint julep.
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What Are The Main Differences When It Comes To Scotch Vs Whiskey
Geography is a main difference, as Scotch must be produced in Scotland, and the US and other countries produce their own variations or types of whiskey. For instance, bourbon is a whiskey typically made in Kentucky.Other key differences come down to:
- Ingredients, including grain mash Scotch is mostly malted barley and bourbon whiskey is mostly corn.
- Distillation process.
- Aging time.
- The names spelling the US and Ireland use whiskey and Canada and Scotland use whisky.
Is It Whiskey Or Whisky
The answer to this question is purely a matter of preference. Both are technically correct. American and Irish brands will most often use the âWhiskeyâ spelling, while Scotland, Canada, and a large portion of the EU tend to use the âWhiskyâ spelling.
We prefer to use the Whisky spelling to refer to both our own and the entire spirit category unless we are speaking about specific brands that call themselves whiskey.
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Main Differences Between Scotch And Whiskey
Sometimes people fail to understand the difference between scotch and whiskey. Although the two have a lot of similarities but is beneficial to know the difference between the two.
These are the main difference between Whiskey and Scotch:
Whiskey Is A Distilled Grain Spirit
According to Whiskey Advocate, whiskey is a distilled spirit that is made from grain. All other distilled liquors are made from other sources. For example, brandy, such as Armagnac or Cognac, comes from grapes. Whiskey makers use malted barley or other grains to make the spirit. They soak the grains in hot water to release the sugars and then add yeast to ferment the sugar into alcohol. Finally, they distill the liquor and age it in barrels.
Bourbon, Scotch, and rye are all types of whiskey. There are other types of whiskey as well.
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Whiskey Scotch Bourbon And Rye
Lots to unpack here. The basics, according to Encyclopedia Britannica:
Whiskey can be any of a variety of distilled liquors that are made from a fermented mash of cereal grains and aged in wooden containers, which are usually constructed of oak. Commonly used grains are corn, barley malt, rye, and wheat.
The difference between whiskey and whisky is where the stuff is made: in the United States and Ireland, its spelled whiskey in Scotland, Canada, and Japan, its whisky.
Now, for the differences between Scotch, bourbon, and rye. Back to Encyclopedia Britannica:
Scotch is a whisky that gets its distinctive smoky flavor from the process in which it is made: the grain, primarily barley, is malted and then heated over a peat fire. A whisky cannot be called Scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland.
Bourbon, a whiskey that was first produced in Kentucky, U.S., uses at least 51 percent mash from corn in its production. It also uses a sour mash process that is, the mash is fermented with yeast and includes a portion from a mash that has already been fermented. U.S. regulations specify that in order for a whiskey to be called bourbon, it must be made in the United States.
And rye whiskey? Its a whiskey that uses a rye mash or a rye and malt mash. In the United States, regulations stipulate that the mash must be at least 51 percent rye in order for it to be called rye whiskey. In Canada, regulations do not specify a minimum percentage of rye.
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Scotch Aroma And Flavor
Scotch typically has a more intense, smoky flavor than whiskey. Its pretty heavy, full, and distinct especially to newbies who arent used to its sharpness.The spirits flavors and aromas are highly affected by its distillation practices, mash bill, and type being produced. The oak wood it sits in, which is Scotlands required Scotch cask type, and the aging time in this oak play a large role, too. Plus, the barley grains exposure to peat smoke in the drying stage ultimately affects Scotchs flavor.When drinking Scotch vs. whiskey, you might taste or smell the following:
- Wood
- Rubber, fire, or peat/dirt
- Vanilla
- Nuts
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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.
Whats The Difference Between Scotch Whiskey And Bourbon
This might be common knowledge for some, but it’s worth a refresher before you go out and buy a bottle. Let’s start with a burning question we answered back in 2008: what makes a whiskey bourbon?
The law. While knocking back a dram of bourbon is a decidedly carefree exercise, making it is exceedingly technical and requires that the whiskey meet a rigid set of criteria. The Federal Standards of Identity for Bourbon stipulate what is and what isnt bourbon. For a whiskey to call itself bourbon, its mash, the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled, must contain at least 51% corn. The mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less, put into the barrel at 125 proof or less, and it must not contain any additives. The distillate must be aged in a new charred oak barrel. If you distill a whiskey in your kitchen that meets all of these standards, congrats, youve made bourbon. Also, youve broken the law the ATF is probably outside your house right now.
The main difference between scotch and whiskey is geographic, but also ingredients and spellings. Scotch is whisky made in Scotland, while bourbon is whiskey made in the U.S.A, generally Kentucky. Scotch is made mostly from malted barley, while bourbon is distilled from corn. If youre in England and ask for a whisky, youll get Scotch. But in Ireland, youll get Irish whiskey .
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Ingredients Used In Their Fermentation Process
The production of bourbon and scotch is heavily regulated throughout the United States which ensures that youre only getting the highest quality alcohol when you decide to purchase a bourbon or scotch.
In order for an alcoholic beverage to be approved as a bourbon, it must be fermented using a grain mix that is composed of at least 51% corn.
Many companies who produce bourbon alcoholic beverages accomplish this by simply combining rye, wheat, and barley into one pot in order to create the perfect brew for their bourbon or scotch variety.
In order for an alcoholic drink to be considered a scotch, it must be made using malted barley which is typically the primary ingredient used in the fermentation and creation of scotch alcohol varieties.
Scotch alcoholic beverages also commonly use ingredients such as yeast and water to encapsulate the overall flavors of the grain used. Scotch alcohol producers and manufacturers are also allowed to add whole cereal grains to their scotch alcohol varieties in order to add more color and character to the liquor.
Defining Characteristics Of Scotch And Irish Whiskey
There are a handful of key rules that all distillers must abide by to be granted the protected titles of either Scotch or Irish whiskey.
It wont come as a surprise that by law, Scotch whisky must be distilled and matured in Scotland. Furthermore, the maturation process must take place in oak casks for at least three years and the whisky bottled at a minimum strength of 40% ABV.
Irish whiskey has nearly the same requirements but of course must be produced on the island of Ireland and can be distilled on either side of the border. The notable exception is that Irish whiskey can be matured in wooden casks other than oak. This can seriously influence the flavor profile, but the majority opt for oak due to its hard-wearing and porous nature.
Not so much a rule, more a tradition, Irish whiskey tends to be triple distilled, giving it what some consider a smoother, more accessible taste than its Scottish counterpart, which is generally distilled twice. There are exceptions, however, with Lowland Scotch brand Auchentoshan producing triple-distilled whisky and Irish single malt The Tyrconnell distilled just twice.
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First Whiskey Vs Whisky
Whiskey is alcohol made from fermented grainsusually some mixture of wheat, rye, barley and/or cornand aged in barrels. Its also made in the U.S. or Ireland.
Whisky, spelled without the e, is also alcohol made from a fermented grain mashexcept its made in Scotland, Japan or Australia. Scotch whisky is a type of whisky made specifically in Scotland.
In addition to having the same basic formulagrain slowly fermented in barrelswhiskey and scotch are both distilled between 40 and 90% alcohol by volume. Its then diluted to between 40 and 60% ABV before bottling.
Which Scotch Whiskey Is The Best
Single malt Scotch whiskey is the most popular one these days. This is a whiskey that is made by one single distillery that uses only malted barley. There are no other cereals in this whiskey, and it has to be produced and bottled in Scotland.
Another type of Scotch whiskey is single grain, which is not as common in the rest of the world. The production starts only with malted barley, but then whole grains or cereals are added. This is usually the Scotch that is used in blended whiskey as well.
The next type of Scotch is a blended whiskey, which is made from at least one or more single malt whiskey blended with a single grain whiskey.
Blended Scotch whiskey constitutes about 90% of all Scotch produced in Scotland. You may be familiar with some brands, such as Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal.
One type of Scotch whiskey that is far less common across the world is blended malt Scotch. It was called a vatted malt or pure malt, and it is made using two or more malt Scotch whiskeys from different distilleries. This whiskey should not contain any grain whiskey at all.
A final type of Scotch whiskey is double malt Scotch. However, this Scotch is no different except that it was aged in two or more types of casks. This whiskey remains in the single malt category, but it is often called double or triple malt instead.
As with Irish whiskey, choosing the best Scotch whiskey depends mostly on taste and cost. For most, single malt Scotch is the purest, but it is also often the priciest.
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