Often but not always, scotch is made with peat, which adds a distinct smoky flavorĪdditionally, scotch can only be produced in certain areas within Scotland, giving each region its unique characteristics when it comes to flavor and aroma. It must be made from malted barley grown only in Scotland, contributing to its distinct flavor profile. Scotch must be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years, which gives it its smooth taste and smoky flavor. Thus begins the story of scotch whisky, setting off centuries – if not millennia – of whisky production and refinement that would follow. This entry read “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aqua vitae.” The eight bolls of malt provided enough malted barley to create around 1,500 bottles of a strong spirit that could be improved further over time. The earliest documented record of distillation in Scotland is found in an entry in the Exchequer Rolls, a tax record of the day. Scotch whisky has a long and storied history, tracing its origins all the way back to the 15th century. Although it is now enjoyed worldwide, scotch has remained an iconic part of Scottish culture and heritage. Scotch is a type of whiskey that has been made in Scotland for centuries. Popular bourbon brands to explore include Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek. Read More: Many Drinkers Think Bourbon Only Comes From Kentucky Here’s Why They’re Wrongĭespite this surge in competition, large-scale producers like Jim Beam remain industry leaders due to their long history of producing quality bourbons that appeal to both veteran connoisseurs and casual drinkers. Today, thousands of distilleries across the country produce their own brands of bourbon, with many small craft distilleries popping up in recent years to tap into the growing popularity of this spirit. government regulations, which also stipulate that bourbon must contain at least 51% corn, with other grains like barley, wheat or rye making up the rest of its content. The clear-colored spirit is transferred into charred full-size oak barrels for aging in order to give it the characteristic flavor and color that people expect from bourbon whiskey.Īging time varies but must be at least two years, per U.S.

The next step in the bourbon-making process is maturation. This distillate is called “white dog” (also known as “moonshine”) because of its cloudy white color. Through the fermentation process, yeast is added to the mash and eventually converted into alcohol through distillation. During the distilling process, grain is ground into meal before being mashed with warm water and left to ferment.

Making bourbon is essentially a two-step process: distillation and maturation. These settlers used their own recipes and methods, resulting in distinctive bourbons that are still popular today. Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years and tends to have a distinctly sweet flavor.īourbon is believed to have originated in the 1800s in Kentucky, where settlers distilled and aged whiskey made from surplus corn crops. Bourbon Whiskeyīourbon is an American whiskey distilled from a mashbill made of at least 51% corn. But how do you distinguish between them? Let’s explore some of the differences between these four major styles. Within these categories are distinct varieties and styles that make up the wide range of whiskey available on the market today. With such a wide variety of distinctions, it can be difficult to discern the differences between what are considered to be the four major types of whiskey: bourbon, scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskey.

Whiskey is a classic distilled spirit enjoyed around the world.

Bourbon vs whiskey vs scotch