Whiskey varieties: From single malt to bourbon - an overview of the most popular varieties

Whiskey is not just whiskey. Because there is Scottish, Irish or American whiskey, expensive varieties and cheaper ones from the supermarket. To bring a little light into the whiskey glass, we present the most famous varieties here.

The most famous Scottish whiskey varieties

The world of whiskey is diverse and, especially for whiskey beginners, rather confusing. The first rough classification of whiskey takes place in the countries in which it is produced. The three major whiskey markets are Scotland, Ireland and the United States.

• Scottish whiskey is also called Scotch. A Scotch must be made from malted barley and stored in oak barrels in Scotland for three years. Another criterion: the barrels may have a maximum capacity of 700 liters. Additions are not allowed. Exceptions are water and tasteless sugar color, which is used as a color.
• Single Malt Whiskey : Single Malts come from a single distillery ("single") and are only distilled from malted barley ("malt").
• Single malt is “created” from the content (malts) of several barrels.
• The age in years stands for the youngest whiskey contained. So if you have a single malt in your hand that says ten years on the label, the malts it contains are at least a decade old.
• Single Cask Whiskey : Single Cask Whiskey is a subset of single malts. The difference: The malts are not only used from the same distillery, but from a single barrel. Because no malts from different barrels mix here, each single cask whiskey has its own characteristics and flavors.
• Blended Whiskey / Scotch Blend : Blended whiskeys consist of malt whiskeys with malted barley and grain whiskeys. The latter are fires made from various types of grain such as wheat, rye or oats.
• A Scotch Blend is a mixture of over 40 different whiskeys that come from different distilleries. The whiskey variety is often used to mix for long drinks or cocktails. The best known Scotch blends include Johnnie Walker, Ballantine's, Grant's or J&B, Dewar's
• Blended Malt Whiskey : Blended Malt Whiskys are mixed malt whiskeys that come from different distilleries. This allows different flavors and styles to be combined. In comparison to the Scotch Blend, no grain whiskey is added to the blended malt.

Irish whiskey varieties

Irish whiskey or Irish whiskey differs from its Scottish relative primarily in its spelling. In addition, it is significantly milder than the Scotch. While the malt is dried over peat fire in Scotland, it is not used in Ireland. This ensures the milder taste. Whiskey is distilled three times in Ireland and then stored in oak barrels for at least three years.

• Single Malt Whiskey : The Irish Single Malt Whiskey is an unmixed whiskey. The well-known single malts include Bushmills Malt, Connemara or Locke's 8 Year Old.
• Blended Whiskey : Blended Whiskey stands for a branded product with the same taste.
• The best-selling Irish whiskey worldwide is Jameson. Paddy, on the other hand, is one of the lightest of all Irish whiskey varieties.
• The Tullamore is typically Irish and much better known than the brands mentioned above. It is characterized by a vanilla note and a mild aroma with a hint of piquancy.
• Pot Still : The Irish Pot Still Whiskey is a mash of malted and unmalted barley that is triple distilled on pot still stills. This gives the whiskey a soft and complex note.
• Grain Whiskey : The grain whiskey from different types of grain is used exclusively for mixing. There is only one single grain in Ireland: the Greenore. It is made from corn and is soft as butter and has a delicate hint of vanilla. This makes it very popular with women.

Major American whiskeys

American whiskey varieties can be distilled from several types of grain, such as corn (corn), rye (rye), barley or wheat. As a rule, a mixture of different types of grain (so-called mash bill) is used. In the USA, the whiskey has to be stored for at least two years - and only in new, burned-out barrels made from American white oak. American whiskey very much enjoyed mixed in cocktails.

• Bourbon Whiskey : Bourbon is the whiskey variety par excellence in the USA. A bourbon must consist of at least 51 percent corn. The remaining 49 percent can be made up of all kinds of grain. As a rule, rye and oats are used for this.
• If the bourbon has been allowed to mature for at least two years, it is called straight bourbon. If the whiskey is less than four years old, the age must be indicated on the label.
• The best-known bourbon brands include Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Evan Williams, Four Roses and Elijah Craig.
• Tennessee Whiskey : The Tennessee Whiskey is a regional version of the Bourbon. For marketing purposes, however, it is marketed as an independent variety. The most famous Tennessee whiskey is without a doubt Jack Daniel's.
• Rye Whiskey : Rye Whiskey is mainly made from rye. The proportion is at least 51 percent. Rye Whiskey is characterized by a spicy, dry and bitter aroma. Entry-level rye whiskeys are Rittenhouse Straight Rye or Bulleit Rye.
• Corn whiskey : Corn whiskey is distilled from corn, the proportion of which is at least 80 percent. Compared to bourbon, corn whiskey does not necessarily have to mature in the barrel.

Have you had an open whiskey bottle around with you for years? Then read our practical tip on whether whiskey can go bad.