Whisky Categories: An Overview of the Main Whisky Types

Which Whisky types Is there really? The world of distillates is vast, yet most spirits are initially broadly distinguished by their origin. Of course, even within a country – for example, between two malts from Scotland – there are great differences. But to get an overview in the first place, breaking these down Whisky types makes sense by country.

Interestingly, you can often tell where a brand comes from just by the way it's written:

  • Whisky (without an „e“): Scots, Japanese and Canadians.
  • Whiskey (with an „e“): Americans and Irish people.

This means we now have the five major nations for various Whiskey types named.

Scotch Whisky: The Classic from Scotland

Scotch Whisky is considered one of the most significant spirits of all. The variety ranges from extremely mild to heavy, Smoky whiskies with a boisterous character. The two most important categories for Scotch are Single Malt Scotch and the Blended Scotch Whisky.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

At this noble Whisky Variety Malted barley (partly kilned over peat smoke) is fermented solely with water and yeast. The process is reminiscent of brewing beer before the liquid is twice distilled in copper pot stills.

The young brandy is then matured in oak barrels, often sourced from the USA. Important for the definition of this Whisky types:

  • A single malt must come from a single distillery.
  • The age statement on the bottle always refers to the youngest whisky contained within.
  • The minimum storage period is legally three years.
  • The minimum alcohol content is, as with almost all Whiskey types, at 40 % vol.
Dalmore 18 years
Mini still
Lagavulin, Octomore

Blended Scotch Whisky: The Underrated Master of Whisky Types

Contrary to the common assumption, Blended Scotch is not the less significant sibling of single malts, but rather, among connoisseurs, it is considered a masterfully crafted spirit. In fact, this Whisky Variety The older of the two: Blended Scotch has been cultivated for more than 150 years, while Single Malt has only been successfully marketed commercially for about 50 years.

With Blended Scotch, many different single malts and grain whiskies are artfully married – often more than 40 different ones are used. Whisky types in a bottle for use. The age indicated always refers to the youngest spirit contained, with high-quality blends often maturing for 12 years or longer.

Irish Whiskey: Mellow Whiskey Varieties from the Emerald Isle

Irish whiskey is usually characterised by a particularly mild flavour. This is due to the use of malt that is rarely kilned over peat and the often larger pot stills. Also Irish Whiskey Types can be simplified into Malt and Blended.

One essential difference: the Irish tend to triple-distil their malt. As with their Scottish cousins, a minimum storage period of three years in oak barrels is prescribed here too, to give this smooth whisky its character. Whiskey types to mould.

Canadian Whisky

Canadian whisky is also predominantly mild and is made mainly from corn and rye. As the spirits are almost always blended, they become very accessible Whisky types. A special feature: The addition of small amounts of other distillates or fruit juices is permitted to a certain extent. The minimum storage period is two years.

Whiskey from the USA: Bourbon and Rye Whiskey Varieties

Whiskey types from the USA differ significantly in taste from European distillates. The main categories are:

  • Bourbon Whiskey Must contain at least 51 % maize and be aged in new, charred oak casks.
  • Rye Whiskey This spicy Whiskey Variety must contain a minimum of 51 % rye.
  • Tennessee Whiskey Similar to Bourbon, but additionally filtered through charcoal (Lincoln County Process).

Japanese Whisky: From Apprentice to Master

Although Japanese whisky originally begun as a copy of the Scottish original, it has developed into one of the world's most observed Whisky types developed. In blind tastings, Japanese distillates regularly win prestigious awards today. In terms of style, they resemble Scotch, with Japanese perfection often leading to particularly pure and complex flavour profiles.

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