Good whiskey: what criteria? Which whiskey is better to choose?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

When you try whiskey for the first time, you will either become its fan and admirer, or you will treat it with disdain, as an over-advertised elite spirit. In the second case, most likely, you have tasted a drink with not “your” relish, and therefore you should just try a different variety, with a different bouquet.

This strong alcoholic drink with an alcohol content of up to 50-60 degrees has a characteristic bright taste and exquisite aroma. It is customary not to drink good whiskey in one gulp in order to quickly get drunk, but to savor it in good company for leisurely conversations or in the appropriate mood.

The amazing virtues of gentlemen's drink

Real high-quality whiskey - it is also called "living water" - with moderate consumption, it has a beneficial effect on the human body, dilating blood vessels and thereby stimulating blood circulation. Thanks to this, the body comes into tone, the efficiency of the brain increases, which activates concentration, creative and analytical abilities.

This happens with the right combination of incomingin the composition of high-quality whiskey, natural essential oils of cereals and tree resins, tannins, carefully purified alcohols and other things. Incorrect connection of components or saving on raw materials cause unpleasant consequences and symptoms.

How “living water” is created

To make the best whisky:

1. For about 10 days, m alting occurs - the germination of moistened grain, which is the flavor base.
2. After that, the m alt is dried in various ways, adding additional shades to the bouquet.
3. M alt is milled, hot water is added and aged until wort is obtained, after which yeast is introduced and the fermentation process takes place.
4. The fermented drink is distilled several times - distilled - getting strong alcohol.
5. The finished product is aged for at least three years, most often in oak casks for sherry, ale, bourbon and others, which each distillery selects at its discretion, which adds additional aroma, dark color and softness.
6. Filtering and bottling - elegant "living water" from m alt is ready.

There are many nuances and subtleties with which this delicious drink is born.

Which whiskey is better to choose for the first tasting or to present as a gift, some tips on important points that drastically affect the exquisite taste and delicate aroma. When choosing whiskey, pay attention to the aging period, country of origin and manufacturer.

Holding period

A strong alcoholic drink obtained after distillation, only when insisted in fragrant barrels acquires characteristic and noble notes and nuances of taste. The aging period indicated on the bottles shows the age of the youngest of the spirits. When deciding which whiskey to choose, focus on an average period of 5-10 years - the drink will be sufficiently aged.

Scotch whiskey

Proud highlanders attribute to themselves the invention of "living water" and have ancient traditions of its manufacture. For most of the drinks from Scotland, m alted barley is used. It is dried on peat coal and the mash is distilled only twice, which is why the finished product often has a strong or smoky taste. At different distilleries, the degree of strength of this unusual relish is different, but if this does not scare you, then connoisseurs recommend Macallan, Glenfidditch, Glenlivet (with a mild aroma), Dewars, Higlant Park as a good whiskey and "Chivas" (with a strong tart undertone).

Ancient Scottish technology and tradition brings many exclusive notes and nuances and is highly regarded in the ranking of "living water". In 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013, Scottish brewers were recognized by connoisseurs as the "Best Whiskey in the World".

Irish whiskey

The name of the drink is different from its Scottish counterpart. The Irish also claim to be the first inventors of whiskey and are proud of no less ancient traditions and methods of production. M alt is made withwith the addition of rye grain, they are dried in ovens, and not smoked, and the fermented wort is distilled three times. Therefore, the Irish drink has a more balanced, rich, persistent, soft, "creamy" aroma.

Good whiskey of the Jameson, Bushmills, Tullamore, St. Patrick, Cooley, Midleton brands has proven itself to be excellent.

American Bourbon

Yanke's version of whiskey is over 51% corn, with the rest being barley, wheat and rye. Bourbon is made without m alting, by simply grinding the beans and fermenting. To speed up the maturation process, barrels that are fired from the inside are used, thanks to which the process of maturation of the drink is faster, and the minimum aging period for American corn whiskey is two years. Its taste is sweetish, and the aroma after aging is characteristic and deep.

The most famous bourbon brands are Jim Beam and Jack Daniels. A characteristic feature of the latter are special sugar maple filters, which add a unique bouquet. Due to its sweetness and richness, this type of whiskey is popular for the first acquaintance with the drink.

Japanese whiskey

Historically the youngest producer of m alt "water of life" is quickly gaining a leading position among connoisseurs and experts. In 2008, 2011 and 2012, Japanese producers have earned the Grand Prix for the best whiskey in the world. The technology for creating a drink is closest toScottish traditions, up to the use of imported peat and the addition of m alt scotch in blending, but at the same time high-tech. The raw materials are both barley and rice, corn, millet, and the flavor is not so smoky.

The taste of the drink is affected by the raw materials used for its production: rye and buckwheat add bitterness, barley - a harsh aftertaste, corn and rice - lightness and softness. No less important is the water used, the climate and air in which the product is created, the technological subtleties, the material of the filters and barrels for aging, the aging time. Therefore, even whiskey from one country, one distillery, one brand, and even from neighboring barrels can differ like heaven and earth.

The composition of "living water": what kind of whiskey is considered good

Here's what you need to know, remember or write down when you go shopping:

Grain whiskey. This drink is made from a mixture of various cereals, which is mostly used as a raw material for blending.

M alt whiskey - made only from barley m alt, which can be:

1. Single cask - a one-component drink from one barrel, can be diluted with water to a standard alcohol strength;
2. Single m alt - a combination of only m alt drinks from the same distillery, possibly with a different aging time. The most popular among connoisseurs and connoisseurs of m alt whiskey. Someone thinks that its taste and aroma are too harsh, and you need to soften it with a blend, but over time, having tasted the drink, you will not agree with this.
3. Barrel (vatted m alt) - combinationm alt "living water" from different distilleries in one barrel.

Mixed, or blended whiskey (Blended whiskey) - the most popular among consumers - more than 90% of demand, a type of drink, which is a blend of m alt and grain components.

And the last thing: you should not overpay for a promoted brand and packaging, you can always find a good inexpensive whiskey at a reasonable price. The main thing is to understand what exactly you are looking for.

Now you know the bare minimum about this fine and refined drink, and you are a little guided by the we alth of choice. You will be able to competently find several varieties in order to try and decide which “living water” is yours. Drinking good whiskey is a delightful experience.