Types of Whisky

What types of whisky are there? Whisky and whiskey is categorised according to origin and production method. The origin of a whisky can already provide information about its flavour and character, as different countries have focused on different whisky styles. Whisky from Scotland is sometimes very smoky, while Ireland usually favours whisky without smoke. Whiskey from the USA tends to have more intense and sweeter flavours than Scotch and Irish whiskey, as fresh oak barrels are often used here. Many whiskies have a protected designation of origin, meaning they can only be produced in the respective country or region. This applies, for example, to Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, Bourbon (USA), Tennessee Whiskey and Whisky Breton (Brittany). Check out our Whisky Countries to find out more!
The production process defines, for example, the grain used, the type of distillation and the cask maturation. A single malt whisky is always made from 100% malted barley and is usually distilled in the Scottish style using copper pot stills. The single malt is said to have the greatest depth and complexity. The motherland of single malt is Scotland, with the Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Closely related is the Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey, for which malted and unmalted barley is used. In contrast, grain whisky is continuously distilled from different types of grain. When malt and grain whisky are mixed, the result is blended whisky, which is probably the best-selling type of whisky in the world. A sweet and spicy type of whiskey made from rye is called Rye Whiskey. Rye is mainly at home in the USA and Canada. As you can see, there is plenty to discover in the world of whisky!