Whiskey: brands and their features. The most popular and famous brands of whiskey

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

Whisky is a strong alcoholic drink made from barley, wheat, corn or other grains. The basis for all his brands is the same: it is water, grain and yeast.

Where do you come from

Technically, whiskey brands, photos of which are full of on the Internet, can be divided into several types, but the main differences are determined by the origin. No one knows where exactly it all began, and Ireland and Scotland are fighting for the right to call this drink "their own". They are the oldest suppliers of a noble drink, who managed to carry their traditions through the centuries, improve them and remain among the main ones in the 21st century.

In general, there are two large groups of supplier countries: the first (it includes Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Japan) combines the largest regions in terms of production volumes. The best brands of whiskey also come from these countries. States like India, France, Australia and others belong to the second group and produce inmainly “for themselves”, lagging behind the first both in terms of volume and product quality.

Scotch tape

Today, Scotland is among the leaders in the production of "water of life". However, another name is used in this country - scotch tape.

Several varieties of Scottish scotch are on sale:

• Single M alt;
• single m alt, Cask Strength (bottled undiluted, cask strength, i.e. 65-75%);
• blend of single m alts from different distilleries (Vatted M alt (Pure M alt));
• grain, Single Grain;
• mixture of grain varieties of scotch from different manufacturers;
• blended, or Blended, a blend of grain spirits and single m alts.

Smoky flavors are characteristic of many Scotch varieties, when in fact the world of Scotch is a unique collection of a wide variety of flavors. It is traditionally aged here in barrels from other alcoholic beverages: bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, Spanish sherry and all kinds of combinations of containers from the mentioned and other products.

The result is Scotch flavored with m alt, raisin, fortified wine, honey, hard candy, nutshell, peat smoke, sea s alt, mineral sulfur and the like, all without artificial additives or flavors.

However, most of all blended varieties on the market are of “average” quality and low price, although there are also unique, self-sufficient blends among brands. Many famous brands of whiskey belong toblends.

Choice Old Cameron Brig

The only brand of grain whiskey available at retail. Grain alcohol is commonly used along with m alt to create blends, and Choice Old Cameron Brig whiskey is all that fans can find in a "clean" form. It has no competitors - a unique variety for people with a unique taste.

Chivas Regal

Elite Scotch whiskey Chivas Regal appeared in 1801, at the mercy of two brothers, John and James Chivas. Their store sold expensive varieties of coffee, rum, spices, but they failed to find a suitable quality scotch tape. And in the end they made it themselves. As the story goes, the Scots were quick to appreciate the new version of their favorite drink.

Currently Chivas Regal 40% ABV, aged 12, 18, 21 and 25 years is sold under this brand. Chivas Regal 18 years old won a gold medal in an international competition in 1998, proving that it is one of the best brands in the global scotch market.

Bushmills

Bushmills single m alt Scotch whiskey is produced at one of the oldest distilleries in the world - over 400 years old, and neither war nor Prohibition could interrupt production. Bushmills Scotch does not tolerate dilution, mixing and snacking, its mild and pleasant taste is best revealed solo.

Johnnie Walker

One of the world's most famous blended whiskey brands. His story begins in the sixties19th century when Alexander Walker created his Old Highland brand of scotch. In 1909, the two main brands of the company that existed at that time changed their names to Johnnie Walker Black Label and Johnnie Walker Red Label.

Red Label - an inexpensive standard blend, it includes about 35 varieties of three-, five-year exposure. The drink is very popular - it is good on its own, and with cola or ice.

Black Label is a variety with a complex taste, this is its main advantage. It includes about 40 varieties of Scottish Scotch, of which 35 are m alt. Whiskeys from almost all regions of production, mixing in it, give rise to a unique aroma and flavor. This is a deluxe blend and fully deserves its popularity.

In addition to the two most famous, the brand "Johnny Walker" offered the world several more varieties: Green Label (a mixture of exclusively fifteen-year-old m alt whiskey), soft and delicate Gold Label (15 rare eighteen-year-old varieties), Platinum Label and Blue Label - a "royal" product, the price of a bottle of which is up to $500.

The Blue Label series is made from 16 rare varieties - some of which, like Auchterool 1923, are not produced anywhere else. The drink in each barrel is unique.

Ballantine's

Ballantine's Whiskey is one of the most popular brands in Europe and the world. He was ranked 10th in the ranking of the world's best-selling brands according to the German newspaper Handelsblatt. This brand was born in the sixtiesyears of the 19th century, when grocer George Ballantyne began blending whiskey according to his own recipe.

There are six scotches in the Ballantine's range with different characteristics and aging. Ballantine's Finest, for example, contains about 57 different aged spirits. Glenburgie brings a note of fruity sweetness with hints of apples and pears. Miltonduff - vanilla sweetness, floral and herbal notes of a noble drink.

Glenfiddich

Single m alt Scotch whiskey brand "Glenfiddich" of excellent quality, minimum exposure - 12 years. The Glenfiddich line includes one of the most expensive varieties in the world - Glenfiddich 50 Year Old Rare Collection, released in a circulation of only 500 bottles and personally signed by Peter Gordon, great-great-great-grandson of the founder.

Irish whiskey

One of the founders and former "trendsetter" - Ireland - greatly influenced the distribution of whiskey. Triple distillation is popular here - not at all like in Scotland, where two distillations are mainly used. In Ireland, they also age spirits in sherry and bourbon casks, but unlike the Scots, the Irish make whiskey not only from m alt, but also from a mixture of m alted and unm alted barley.

You can find the following varieties born in this country:

• m alt, single m alt whiskey – Single M alt;
• m alted and unm alted barley blend - Pure Pot Still;
• grain - Single Grain;
• blended - Blended - a mixture of the previous three.

Jameson

Jameson Irish whiskey traces its originssince 1780, and today it is one of the most famous and best-selling brands. Classic "Jameson" has a mild and light taste, with a pleasant sweet, nutty aftertaste.

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve is the product of four experienced blenders. It includes the oldest and rarest spirits, aged in sherry and port casks, and the finished drink is full of fruity and floral tones.

Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve Whiskey combines notes of sherry, chocolate and vanilla, is produced in limited quantities, and each bottle has its own personal number. Jameson Gold Reserve (introduced in 1996) includes spirits aged in fresh oak barrels.

Tullamore Dew

Founded in 1887, Tullamore Dew has maintained its presence in Ireland and beyond to this day. Moreover, its popularity continues to grow. Tullamore Dew 10 Years Old Single M alt was named "Best Irish Whiskey of 2012" at the NYISC annual New York competition. The aroma of this decade-old drink consists of a combination of freshly cut grass, pineapple and roasted wood. The palate is primarily fruity, with hints of raisins and figs, and leaves an aftertaste of apricot and raisins.

In total, the brand line consists of five varieties. Special attention of connoisseurs deserves Tullamore Dew Phoenix - a limited edition variety. Its characteristic feature is the high content of Pure PotStill whiskey aged in sherry casks.

Redbreast

Redbrest Irish Whiskey was named 1 Buy in John Hansell's Buying Guide, which perfectly illustrates the brand's current position in the world of "water of life". Redbreast belongs to the Pure Pot Still Whiskey category and although only introduced in the early 20th century, it has already earned a reputation as a product worth trying.

American Bourbon

In the US, whiskey is made mainly from corn - here it is called "bourbon". Unlike Scotland and Ireland, in the USA, almost all spirits, with the exception of single m alts, are aged for at least two years in new barrels - that is, they have no alcoholic "predecessors". There are quite a few types of this drink in America, but the main thing is that it is completely different from Scottish and Irish and was able to find its niche in the whiskey market.

Produced in this country:

• Blended "water of life" (blended). At least 20% consists of the following types, the rest is grain alcohol.
• Single M alt Whiskey. Made only with m alted barley.
• Tennessee Sour Mash. The recipe calls for at least 51% corn. In practice, it is often made with 80% corn and 20% m alt.
• Bourbon (bourbon) - barrel fortress, from one specific barrel.
• He, that is, bourbon, but from several specially selected barrels, most often also barrel strength (Barrel Select,Small Batch).
• Corn Whiskey is made from at least 80% corn, the rest is other cereals.
• Rye (Straight Rye). 51% rye, 49% other cereals.
• Wheat (Straight Wheat). Again - 51% wheat, and 49% - cereals of other types.

Jack Daniel's

One of the world's most popular brands, entered the TOP-100 alcoholic beverages according to Impact Databank. The main difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon is that the former undergoes a “softening” process. Drop by drop the alcohol is filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal.

The secret to the soft, original taste of Jack Daniels lies precisely in this painstaking filtration, as well as in the use of delicious water from the mountain springs in Hollow. It should be drunk separately from everything else, and connoisseurs combine “a native of Tennessee” with lemon or apple juice in cocktails.

Jim Beam

A world-famous bourbon variety, included in the TOP 100 best-selling (by volume) alcoholic beverages, according to the authoritative Impact Databank. Unlike Jack Daniel's, the price of "Jim Beam" is quite affordable, and this plays an important role.

You could say this bourbon strikes the perfect balance of value for money and is a must try for anyone who calls themselves a whiskey lover.

Maker's Mark

Another participant in the ratings and TOPs, but this is something opposite to both Jim Beam and Jack Daniels. Distillery in Kentucky bottles no more than 19 barrels perbatches, and the price for it fluctuates around 2,500 rubles per bottle in domestic online stores.

This limited production makes it possible to use manual labor, as well as strictly control the quality of the drink. American whiskey brand Maker's Mark has its own unique feature - varieties for bottling are selected not by age, but by taste.

Whiskey from the Land of the Rising Sun

Japanese are neat people, capable of appreciating high quality, whether it's technology, martial arts or whiskey. The history of the drink in this country began in the twenties of the 20th century, and they copied the Scots and did not strive for originality.

At least, this is how it looks at the moment - you should not look for any unique Japanese varieties here. However, quality is held in high esteem - it was the Japanese Yamazaki that was recognized in 2013 as the best single m alt whiskey according to the results of the Whiskey Bible Awards. Popular whiskey brands in Japan belong to drinks from a higher price segment - high requirements are placed on producers, which affects the final cost of the product.

Suntory

Celebrities are not afraid of competition - they are, like everything real, unique. Suntory Hibiki 21 Years Old is a brand of m alts and grains aged in cherry barrels for at least 21 years. At the annual World Whiskey Awards in Glasgow, this brand has received the title of the best whiskey among brands several times in a row. Another variety from the Suntory line, Yamazaki, was recognized as the best in 2013.

Other products of the brand are also worthy of attention and love. "Suntory" - the same, legendary, the first company that started the production of whiskey in the country. In Japan itself, their products are a bestseller and a regular winner of competitions.

It is impossible to mention all the brands worthy of attention in one review. Among those that remained “behind the scenes” of the article, there are also quite a few interesting varieties. An attempt has been made here to suggest a good choice for people who are just starting to discover a new world.