Scotch also tends to be aged longer than bourbon, with many of the most popular whiskies hitting shelves after anywhere from 1225 years inside barrels. To find out detailed information on commodity in the u. Kentucky more specifically that has to be by law at least 51% made from corn, whiskey is the general name for them, it can be made anywhere, canada, ireland, or tennesse for example. Theres a lot more to it than you think, and youll be surprised by how different the two really are from each other. This is the difference between scotch and bourbon eat this not that.
Scotch is a type of whisky made from malted barley and water and inside scotland only. Distinguishing the difference between canadian whisky, rye whiskey, scotch whisky note the spelling difference and kentucky bourbon is already confusing. Similarly, scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey, but not all whiskies are scotch or bourbon. Thats why when you sip a glass of bourbon, it tastes a little richer and sweeter than, say, a scotch. Infographic the many flavors of the great wide world of whiskey. Aug 10, 2012 what is the difference between scotch and whiskey. May 27, 20 bourbon and scotch are both types of whiskey or whisky when talking about scotch.
The difference between bourbon and whiskey is further solidified when talking about aging and maturation of the distilled spirit. So waste not another drink in ignorance and read on to see the difference between scotch, bourbon, and rye whiskey. The first obvious difference between the two is the spelling of whisky. While scotch signifies the essential scotland to many, bourbon is often associated with the state of kentucky in particular rather than the united states as a nation. All bourbon must also be aged in new, charred american oak casks. Whiskey can be defined as any alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented grain mash. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Whiskey or whisky can be any of a variety of distilled liquors that are made from a fermented mash of cereal grains and aged in wooden. Scotch is whisky made in scotland and bourbon is whiskey made in the usa. There are lot of differences that exists between bourbon and whiskey.
Chicago bartender laura kelton explains in this cocktail club ex. However, it can actually be quite difficult to put them side by side and confidently say thats a b ourbon, thats a scotch and. What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon and. The main difference between scotch and bourbon is that scotch is made in scotland and bourbon is.
Top 10 whisky education books the spirits business. For a myriad of reasons, these two whiskies are coveted by millions and, so it begs the question, what is the difference between scotch whiskey and bourbon. And while were asking that question, whats the difference between bourbon, whiskey, scotch, and rye whiskey and whisky dont ignore india why indian whisky is having a moment first off, whiskey spelled whisky. Well, thats a little complicated, so lets start by breaking scotches down by type. Unlike whiskey, which contains mostly wheat, bourbon contains corn. The great thing about whiskey is the endless ways it is made and the variations that come with it. Veach university press of kentucky, is a masterpiece by one of the countrys top bourbon authorities that merits a prominent place in dads library. Whiskey is made around the world, and youve probably tasted or heard of famous varietals, like scotch whisky or irish whiskey.
One might prefer scotch over bourbon or visa versa because of those characteristics, but that is a matter of personal preference rather than absolute superiority. Best scotch whisky books scotch addictscotch addict. Scotch is whisky made in scotland, while bourbon is whiskey. If you are a whiskey lover, then you should definitely know the difference between the two. What, exactly, is the difference between bourbon and whiskey. Differences between scotch, whiskey, and bourbon lovetoknow. Packed with interesting facts and whiskey cocktail recipes, this book tells you all you ever wanted to know about whiskey. Whiskey is the general overlying term to categorize them all. Whiskey is traditionally used for american and irish spirits, including bourbon. You must have heard of the geometric sentence in school, all squares are rectangles, but all rectangles are not squares. Difference between scotch and bourbon the whiskypedia. So whats the difference between sipping bourbon on the rocks or having a healthy pour of the regular stuff.
The difference between scotch and bourbon facebook twitter email a friend scotch whisky has a long, proud heritage that likely stretches back long before its first recorded reference in 1495. Whats the flavor difference between scotch and rye. The real difference between whiskey, bourbon, scotch and rye. Hopefully, you have learned a few things along the way about their background as well. Would be a welcome addition to any spirit drinkers book shelf. Learn about the differences between scotch and bourbon. You stood there trying to tell the difference between both. Dec 15, 2009 proclaimed a masterwork when it was originally published in 1995, the book of bourbon and other fine american whiskeys by gary regan and mardee haidin regan runs the gamut of american whiskey. The differences go beyond just scotch and whiskey, there is also scotch and rye to.
If youve wondered why whiskey is so popular or what the real difference is between scotch and bourbon this book is for you. Scotch and bourbon are both forms of whisky, but they differ greatly based on where they are made and what is used to make them. Distinguishing flavor is tricky because bourbon and rye both fall in the same whiskey family alongside scotch and irish. Dec 07, 2017 the real difference between whiskey, bourbon, scotch and rye ever wondered what the difference is between all those dark liquors. This spelling difference might seem silly, but its for real. The main difference between scotch and whisky is geographic, but also ingredients and spellings. May 26, 2017 of the many spirits beneath the whiskey umbrellascotch, bourbon, ryewhats the difference. Do you know the difference between scotch whiskey and bourbon. Scotch whisky is always spelt without the e, whereas irish whiskey is always spelt with an e. What is the difference between cognac, brandy, bourbon. When sophie had first learned to read, charles had kept the whisky in a bottle labeled cats urine, so that sophie would not touch it, but she had uncorked the bottle and sipped it, and then sniffed at the underside of the cat next door. Gaelic is native to both ireland and scotland, so its hard to say where the e came. A strict set of federal trade regulations defines whats what.
Depending on the geographical region or type of whiskey that is being made, whiskey can be made from barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn. But the reasons for these differences go well beyond bourbon s use of at least 51% corn in the mash. Although whiskey is the overarching category of spirits that comprises bourbon, scotch, and rye, there is often confusion over the distinction between each, with common errors even made by seasoned whiskey drinkers. As with american bourbon, there is a law that specifies the manner by which the spirit is to be produced. What exactly is the difference between scotch and bourbon. For those of us who require a quick guide, here are some whiskey pointers or whisky, depending on where the spirit. From bourbon women to malt scotch production, these are the top 10 whisky education books any spirits boffin should own. If were going to explain the difference between whiskeys, first you should understand what a whiskey actually is. Here, we explore frequently asked questions surrounding dark spirits, the key differences between bourbon and whiskey, and the. Unlike bourbon, which has no minimum aging period, scotch must be aged for at least 3 years in oak containers. Apr 24, 2017 whats the difference between scotch and bourbon. Heres a simple explanation of why all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon, and we hope it will make all the difference. Scotch is made in scotland, and bourbon is made in america mainly kentucky. Theres nothing in either spirit that is likely to turn someone away.
Difference between scotch and bourbon difference between. Sep 11, 2016 throw scotch, irish or japanese whiskey into the equation and a whole map of brown liquors begins to emerge barely telling the difference other than maybe the glass its being served in. Scotch whisky, japanese whisky, irish whiskey, tennessee whiskey, canadian whisky, rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey and, of course, kentucky straight bourbon whiskey sorry if we missed anyone. May 24, 2017 scotch also tends to be aged longer than bourbon, with many of the most popular whiskies hitting shelves after anywhere from 1225 years inside barrels. A document known as the federal standards of identity for bourbon lays down a strict set of criteria as to what can be considered bourbon. How to tell the difference between bourbon and rye whiskey. Difference between scotch and whiskey difference between. Scotch whisky must conform to the scotch whisky order of 1990, which requires that it.
One is whiskey, while the other is whisky thats right, bourbon is whiskey and scotch is whiskey. In fact, some scotch whisky blends arguably have more corn in them than some bourbons do, but thats another story. Blended whiskeys are a mixture of straight whiskey and mixed grain whiskey. Difference between bourbon and whiskey the whiskypedia. Scotch is whisky made in scotland and aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Difference between whiskey and bourbon whiskey vs bourbon. May 24, 2016 whats the difference between whiskey, whisky and bourbon. The flavor differences between these two whiskeys are huge. Whats the difference between scotch, whisky, and bourbon.
Bourbon is aged only slightly in charred oak barrels and is distilled no more than 160 proof. Mar 16, 2015 did you know that scotch and bourbon are also derivative of whisky. Most irish whiskey is a smoother, lighter beverage than other drinks in that class. Bourbon and scotch are figuratively and literally oceans apart. Scotch is made from malted barley, bourbon is made from corn. Bourbon and whiskey both taste great in a cocktail and, when mixed together, make for one hell of a hangover, but exactly what is the difference between bourbon and whiskey. At jim beam, were pretty partial to those last two, and to clear up why, wed love to tell you what separates bourbon from the rest.
What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey. Whats the difference between whiskey, scotch, and bourbon. Scotch is whisky made in scotland, while bourbon is whiskey made in the u. Whiskey is made all over the world and there are many popular styles including scotch whisky, irish whiskey, and american whiskey. The best whisky book ever a must read for drinkers. The key difference between bourbon and whiskey is that bourbon is only produced in the united states, mainly using corn whereas whiskey is produced all over the world using various types of grains. To keep it simple, whiskey is any booze distilled from fermented grain mash.
So if you arent sure of the difference between scotch whisky and irish whiskey other than the spelling, of course, then read on to learn about what really separates the two. Whats the difference between whiskey, rye, bourbon, and. This widely acclaimed work contains details on every aspect of american whiskey up to the mid1990s. The warmer temperatures of kentucky mean that evaporation rates are much higher, so the bourbon matures much quicker than its scottish equivalent about twice as fast. Theyre made to have a lighter taste than fullon whiskeys. The other big difference between the scotch whisky and bourbon is the climate. When we are talking about whiskey, scotch, and bourbon, we are talking about alcohol that is distilled from a fermented grain mash. Another key difference between the two is that bourbon whiskey is typically sweeter as compared to scotch whisky as all the other finer differing attributes depend on how a particular distillery prepares their spirit. Differences of character has bank note 5 year blended scotch whisky, allspice dram an allspiceflavored liqueur, ghost chili, lemon and honey, while for the allocation includes very old barton bourbon, genepi des alpes an italian herbal liqueur, plus gran classico and regans orange bitters. For scotch the word whisky is always spelt without the alphabet e. They are even used in religious rituals and festivals and they produce a relaxing and euphoric effect and sometimes even attributed with aphrodisiac effects.
The data that can be found in each tab includes historical performance, the different fees in each fund, the. What is the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. But the two are distinct enough that most develop a preference for one over the other. Difference between whiskey and bourbon difference wiki. The flavor profile consists of vanilla, oak, and caramel. When considering spirits, some people struggle to understand the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. Whisk ey draws much of its flavour from the barrel it is matured in. You have now been given enough information to be able to tell the difference between bourbon, rye, and scotch. As sure as the brooklyn bridge still stands, the answer is yes, you can. Bourbon, brandy, scotch, and whiskey whats the difference. This article explains the difference between bourbon and. After reading some of the answers here, i have to answer, because it seems many people are not aware of the legal requirements of some whiskies. Since bourbon is a type of whiskey, their production process is very similar. Sep 12, 2016 the real difference between scotch, whiskey, and bourbon.
Bourbon and scotch share some big similarities, but its really their differences that define them. Scotch, in laymans terms, tastes a lot like bourbon, but with a. Therell be an oaky nature that brings out a vanilla. Its great for mixing and remember, no flavors or additives are allowed in bourbon. When it comes to the difference between bourbon and whiskey, can you still make a manhattan with either. Scotch mostly from malted barley bourbon whiskey is distilled from corn. You stood there staring at the labels, but the answer still illusive. Feb 02, 2012 this is simply the best book ever written on whisky. Trying to pick between scotch and japanese whiskey, or bourbon and rye. Sep 06, 2019 bourbon whiskey is distilled from corn mash. Mar 05, 2016 michael veachs first book is the seminal work on kentucky bourbon heritage and american whiskey in general. The whiskey spelling is used for american and irish spirits, including bourbon. Be distilled at a scottish distillery from water and malted barley to which only other whole grains may be added.
Bourbon is a type of whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Sep 25, 2006 scotch whisky is made in scotland, bourbon is made in the u. What are the differences between scotch, bourbon, and. In the most basic sense, all scotches, bourbons, etc. Rye whiskey, for example, follows all the same regulations for aging and strength as bourbon whiskey, but is made from mash consisting of at least. Our guide to learning the different types of whiskey what is the difference between scotch, bourbon, and whiskey or whisky. Bourbon fanatic or irish whiskey novice, theres a plethora of books. This can include the country its made in, the abv content, and even the type of barrel its aged in. Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey is used to indicate a straight whiskey made in kentucky from a mash of at least 51% corn grain. Also glenlivet is not bad, but there are many better bottles. Whiskey or whisky, everywhere else in the world is usually aged in oak barrels. The basics, according to encyclopedia britannica whiskey or whisky can be any of a variety of.
On top of that, by law the mixture must be stored in charred oak containers and cannot contain any additives. Once ready, the whiskey is distilled and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol 80 proof 2. Whats the actual difference between bourbon and whiskey. The differences between bourbon, whiskey, scotch, rye, and brandy. So belly up to the bar, folks, set out your whiskey glasses, and well take a trip through the maze of what differentiates whisky, whiskey, bourbon and scotch whisky.
Whiskey also spelled whisky is an alcoholic beverage distilled from grain, which may or may not have been malted. Scotch whisky, or simply scotch for short, as well as canadian whisky, use the noe version. This very short book is jampacked with information about all facets of bourbon production, from early farm distilling to nineteenth century commercial distilleries to the craft distillery movement, and everything inbetween. Whats the difference between whiskey, whisky and bourbon. Then, there are the similarities between kentucky bourbon and tennessee whiskey. So, the differences are slight, but they are there. Bourbon whiskey faces no necessary specification for aging their product and sometimes, bourbon matured for mere months is also sold on the market. From mad men episodes to modern nightclubs, neighborhood bars to. First of all, whiskey, bourbon, and scotch are all in the same family of grain drinks. Whisky is the anglicised form of the gaelic word uisge beatha pronounced ooshkie bah. Whiskey is made from the fermented mash of cereal grains.
Man has consumed alcoholic beverages for medication, recreation, or as part of their diet since ancient times. If youre in england and ask for a whisky, youll get scotch. Either you are a bourbon drinker or whiskey drinker, you need to know the real difference between these two. The difference between bourbon and whiskey foods guy. Whats the difference between whiskey, scotch, bourbon, and rye. Its then diluted to between 40 and 60% abv before bottling. Really the main difference between whisky, irish whiskey, scotch and bourbon are sweet and simple. Bourbon and scotch each come with their own distinctive identities, and those identities are what have made these two separate spirits the worlds leading styles of whiskeymaking. Bourbon, a whiskey that was first produced in kentucky, u. Both will have a caramel sweetness thanks to the corn base. The real difference between scotch, whiskey, and bourbon. In addition to having the same basic formulagrain slowly fermented in barrels whiskey and scotch are both distilled between 40 and 90% alcohol by volume. Whiskey, whose name originates from the irishlanguage phrase for water of life, is among the most popular alcoholic beverages worldwide.
By definition, whiskey or whisky, in scotland is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash grain varieties include wheat, rye, barley, and corn and then aged in wooden barrels. Commodity funds invest in a broad basket of commodities and natural resources, including precious metals, energy and agricultural goods. Since i write a fair amount on wines and spirits, and especially whiskies, i have amassed a decent library of books on these subjects for. Heres the difference between bourbon and whiskey this link opens in a new window. The difference between bourbon, scotch, rye, irish. Here is a handy chart to compare the three dark liquors. Considered as the gentlemens drink, scotch and bourbon whiskey are the most popular distilled alcoholic drinks consumed all over the world. Whats the difference between scotch, whiskey and bourbon. Polise adds that scotch is generally made from malted barley, whereas bourbon is made largely from corn. A whisky cannot be called scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in scotland.
A scotch has to be aged for at least three years in oak barrels whereas there is no such condition in the case of other whiskeys. Scotch whisky is distilled and matured in scotland, considered the homeland of this spirit. Whiskey history how irish whiskey differs from bourbon facebook twitter email a friend with saint patricks day right around the corner, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at the differences between irish whiskey and bourbon. The difference between scotch and bourbon is that instead of corn, scotch is made in scotland from malted ryein other words, rye whiskey. Whiskey history how irish whiskey differs from bourbon. Whats the difference between whiskey, scotch, bourbon. The simple answer is that bourbon is always whiskey, but whiskey is not always bourbon. This is the difference between scotch and bourbon eat. From a legal point of view, these spirits are defined specifically and distinctly. The main difference between bourbon and whiskey is that bourbon is a barrelaged distilled spirit made mainly from corn while whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic. Most people can appreciate a good irish whiskey and a good bourbon. For a whiskey to be considered bourbon, the grain mash must be at least 51 percent corn. The book of bourbon and other fine american whiskeys.
Whiskey is a spirit distilled from grainssome combination of wheat, corn, barley andor ryeand aged in barrels. Whiskey or whisky is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from any form of fermented grain mash. Scotch whisky is spelled without an e, while bourbon whiskey has an e between the k and y. Scotch whisky is a type of whisky made specifically in scotland. Whiskey is just a general term for a distilled spirit derived from a grainbased mash. What are the differences between scotch and whiskey. Bourbon is whiskey, scotch is whiskey, rye is whiskey. The real difference between whiskey, bourbon, scotch and. Aug 27, 2016 under the power of law, a whiskey cant legally claim a title without meeting precise specifications.
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