Whiskey is one of the world’s most famous and consumed drinks, but although it has existed for centuries, some facts are still unknown and generate several doubts among its connoisseurs. Knowing this, we have gathered below the main curiosities you have always wanted to know about whiskey.
- How Whiskey Is Made
Whiskey such as The Singleton for example is produced from grains, like barley and corn, then distilled and aged in wooden barrels, such as oak, which give the drink its characteristic flavor. The aging time, that is, the time the whiskey spends inside the barrels, determines whether its flavor will be more or less accentuated, in addition to the quality of the drink. That’s why we believe that the older the whiskey, the better it is. Aging needs to be at least three years, with 8-, 12- and 18-year-olds being the most common.
- Is It Right Whiskey Or Whiskey?
Although it is impossible to say precisely when and where whiskey originated, in Scotland and Ireland in the 15th century, we first found the drink in the form closest to what we know today. At that time, the language spoken in the region was Gaelic, which called this drink “uisce beatha.” Later, the expression became whiskey in Scotland, as it is also known in England and Japan. In Ireland, the term was shortened to whiskey, and thanks to Irish immigration, the United States and Canada adopted the word. Therefore, we can consider both ways to be correct.
- Is Bourbon The Same As Whiskey?
As we said earlier, Irish immigrants strongly influenced the United States. Because of that, the country has become one of the biggest consumers and producers of whiskey worldwide. As great drinkers, Americans created their version of whiskey, produced initially in Kentucky, with at least 51% corn grains distilled in a specific and different way. This new version is known as bourbon. Therefore, we can consider that all bourbon is a whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
- Does Whiskey Age In The Bottle?
You may have heard that the older the whiskey, the better. However, you need to know that the drink only ages if it is in contact with the wood. Therefore, that whiskey kept for years in a bottle, unlike wine and certain types of beer, is not aging or reaching a better quality. Over time, the drink will most likely lose its characteristic flavor and become unpleasant for consumption.
- Does Water Ruin The Taste Of The Whiskey?
As with other beverages, you may believe that mixing water with whiskey can weaken it and change its flavor. But the truth is that, unlike other alcoholic beverages, when we add a little water to whiskey, its flavor and aroma are released more quickly, becoming even more potent. For this, adding the correct amount of water is essential: about a quarter of the amount of whiskey consumed.
