Whiskies of All Kinds

We want to help educate and explain the differences between a few types of whiskies we carry in our in Plano Texas location!  Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from grains. Usually, the grains are soaked in hot water, which helps to release the sugars which yeast is added to ferment the sugar into alcohol. The liquor is distilled - then aged in barrels depending on which type of Whiskey it is.

Irish Whiskey - has to be distilled in Ireland

• The Alcohol by volume must be less than 94.8% (47.4 ABV)
• Different Irish Whiskey use varying grains, but all Irish Whiskey must be aged for at least 3 years in wooden casks
• Irish Whiskey tends to be sweeter & smoother because it often goes through a triple distillation process 

Scotch - has to be distilled in Scotland

• It is distilled from malted barley, and other cereal grains
• Must be fermented only by adding yeast
• Must be matured in oak casks for a minimum of 3 years
• Must be 94.8% ABV or less - with a minimum ABV of 40%
• Usually, scotch whisky is spelled with a Y instead of EY

Bourbon - has to be distilled in the USA

• It must be distilled from at least 51% Corn
• Must be aged for a minimum of 2 years
• Must be aged in new American white oak barrels- that have a min char
• Can often use other grains along with the guaranteed 51% corn minimally
• Must be 80% ABV or less

All in all, while the flavors can vary depending on where the whiskey is made, which ingredients were used, the weather, and just the overall tasting notes as well! Hope this helps with having an understanding of how these types of whiskies have to be produced. The laws are very strict!