This post may earn affiliate income from links and/or review products to help support this site from the companies .
There are many whiskey brands on the market, which is a good thing since it gives enthusiasts more options to choose from. However, for a complete beginner, selecting a good bottle of whisky can prove very challenging. The problem is even worse if you don’t drink at all and are simply looking to give someone else. Not to worry, though, because, in this guide, we will provide a brief but informative buying guide for whisky.
Factors To Consider When Buying Whiskey
-
What Type Of Whisky Is It
There are different types of whiskies, and they all come in different tastes. Each type also has various drinks to choose from, some boasting consistent quality while others are unpredictable. Here are the major types of Scottish whiskey:
A. Single Malt
Single malt whisky is arguably the highest quality type of whisky on the market. It’s made with water and 100% malted barley in pot stills from a single distillery.
You should know that the ultimate quality and test of a single malt will depend on the maker. Some whisky producers like Macallan are renowned for consistently making premium single malts. And the quality comes with a relatively hefty price tag.
B. Single Grain
Like single malt, single grain whisky is made from one distillery. However, it is not produced using 100% barley. Single grain whisky is made from corn or maize, sometimes a blend of both.
Single grain may not be as high quality as single malt, but it also tastes really good, especially when it’s coming from experienced producers.
C. Blended Malt
Blended malt whisky comes from 100% malted barley made in more than one distillery.
D. Blended Grain
This whiskey is made from grain (corn or wheat) and produced in more than one distillery.
E. Blended
This is perhaps the most affordable and common whisky in the world. It is made using both grain and malt whisky produced at more than one distillery.
The idea behind blended whisky is to produce an affordable but tasty drink. Therefore, producers use grain whisk, which is easier and cheaper to make and enhance the taste with some malt whisky.
2. Age
Age plays a significant role in how good a whisky tastes. That’s why the best whiskies will always come with an age statement on the bottle. The older a bottle of whisky is, the more expensive it gets, but the taste is almost always worth every single penny.
There are some young whiskies on the market too. Most of them don’t come with any age statements, and that’s why they are also known as NAS or No Age Statement Whiskies. The Scottish laws require NAS whisky to have matured for at least 3 years. However, the drink can also be as old as 7 or 9 years.
Consistency is usually a huge problem with NAS whiskies. Therefore, unless you know a specific brand that’s consistent with their quality, it’s better to try something else with an age statement.
3. Tasting Notes
Tasting notes are a great way of knowing what to expect in terms of taste and smell. Sadly, not all whiskies provide these notes. The good news is there are resources online to help you know the taste and smell of a bottle of whisky before drinking it. But if that feels like too much work, then I’d advise you to steer towards the bottles with detailed tasting notes.
4. Maturation Date
The majority of scotch whiskies on the market are matured in casks that have been used in other drinks industries. For instance, American Oak usually means ex-bourbon barrels. These casks give the whiskey a distinctively lighter profile.
Some producers use sherry casks and wine or port barrels which deliver a fruity flavor.
5. Alcohol Strength
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is the measurement of the amount of alcohol in a standard serving. As you may already know, ABV is expressed as a percentage.
ABV figures are meant to help individuals make wiser decisions on how to consume alcoholic beverages. For instance, it’s smart to add a little water when taking a bottle of whisky with an alcohol content of 50%+.
Keep in mind that the ABV figure does not determine the whiskey’s quality. A bottle tagged at 40% can be better than a 50% whisky.
What’s The Difference Between Whisky And Bourbon?
There are several differences between whisky and bourbon, but geography is the main one. Bourbon drinks like Elijah Craig are made in the United States. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Scotland in particular, was the first producer of whisky. They remain a predominant player in the industry, but other countries like Japan and Ireland have also developed great whisky brands.
The other differences come in on how the whisky is matured. For instance, bourbon is made in new American oak barrels and always contains at least 51% corn. On the other hand, scotch whiskey has more varieties, as discussed above, i.e., single malt, single grain, and blended whiskey. Scotch whiskies are aged for at least 3 years.
Hopefully, the above guide has helped you understand whisky better. You should now be in a position to discuss whisky with other enthusiasts and pick a decent bottle with ease.
