High-quality alcoholic drink, like any other product, the creation of which requires a lot of effort, time and skills, demands respect. It is then that you will get the whole palette of its taste. The key to this quality interaction is the culture of consumption.
Let us rephrase one popular character: you can't just take and simply drink whiskey! Well, you can, of course, drink it, and get the desired effect of intoxication, and the necessary evil in the form of a hangover. But you can drink it in such a way that every sip is not only a taste, but also an aesthetic pleasure. And for this you need to know the characteristics of a particular alcohol, as well as the most optimal conditions for its reception. And today we will talk about the secrets of the taste of whiskey.
The king of taste
Two countries are competing for the right to be called the motherland of whiskey - Scotland and Ireland. The so-called liquid gold is produced there for five hundred years. Today they offer the widest range of this alcoholic beverage. There is even a special law, which enshrines the unchanged requirements for whiskey in Scotland:
- alcohol strength - 40%;
- raw materials - barley malt, yeast, water;
- distillation - at least two times;
- aging - at least three years in oak barrels.
Malt whiskey is a real work of art of Scottish and Irish distillers. It has the richest taste, smell and color, but neither dyes nor chemical additives are used in its manufacture. The whole bouquet is only the skill of the manufacturers. Pure barley malt is smoked on peat (which is typical for Scottish varieties) and distilled from two times. As for excerpts, there are many options here. Some manufacturers use new oak barrels, while others, on the contrary, prefer to pour in those that have already contained bourbon, sherry or other alcoholic beverages. In some cases, the barrels can be changed several times in the process of aging.
All these magical actions allow malt whiskey to acquire a huge variety of flavors in a natural way. You can feel the fruit, wood, peat, caramel, honey, raisins in it . As well as more original notes: sea salt, nutshell, mineral sulfur and even ichthyol.
Is it even possible to simply drink something with such a rich bouquet? You need to enjoy it to the fullest, it is a real celebration of taste! Of course, such features of production are reflected in the price of the final product, it is quite high, but connoisseurs say that you should definitely try this nectar. The most well-known brands of malt whiskey are: Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Talisker, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Dalmore, Rosenbank, Speyside and others.
The king of sales
If malt whiskey is the most expensive and most popular among true connoisseurs, then blended whiskey can be called the most popular among its relatives. It accounts for about 90% of sales. And the reason for this is not only a more loyal price, but also such a variety of taste that everyone can find something to themselves.
Blend whiskey (Blended whiskey) is made from a mix of malt and grain varieties. There can be up to 50 malt varieties and up to 4 cereals. Ratio is another secret of taste. For example, the proportion of malt whiskey in blended may be from 10 to 60%. The resulting mixture is still kept in barrels from six months to 15 years. All these variations make it possible to achieve unique shades of color, smell and taste, and at the same time divide the drink into three classes: standard, de-luxe and premium.
As for the taste, blended whiskey is softer than malt one. At the same time, it usually contains bright notes of oak, honey, fruit, spices and acacia. Among the most famous brands of blend whiskey are: Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Bell’s, Hankey Bannister, Jameson, Bushmills and others.
The king of the new world
Expatriates from Scotland and Ireland, arriving in America, naturally, started production of their favorite drink there. At first, the temples were driven out of rye, but then distillers discovered a new source of raw material - corn. This is how the product, known worldwide as bourbon, appeared. Corn makes up more than 50% in malt, the rest of the cereals are added in different proportions: rye, barley, wheat. Another feature - classic bourbon is kept in new oak barrels, which are burned from the inside. The result is an alcoholic beverage with a soft floral-caramel-woody taste. The most famous brands: Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Town Branch.
It is also worth mentioning another interesting American product - Tennessee whiskey. As the name implies, it is produced in one of the states. It has one interesting difference from the classic bourbon - a special sweetness and woody notes. This is due to the fact that before bottling the product is filtered through a three-meter layer of maple coal. It is this whiskey that is produced under the brand names Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel.
Enjoying the taste
In order to fully appreciate the beauty of different types of whiskey, do not forget that it is best to taste it in a pleasant company and comfortable atmosphere. The drink should be cooled to 18 degrees and served in glasses, which enhance your aesthetic feeling. Evaluate the color and unique aroma of whiskey before you take the first sip. Feel the fullness of taste, because the birth of this "living water" was preceded by so many almost magical actions. Enjoy!
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