All about WHISKY

By: Saurabh S SawhneyBy: Saurabh S Sawhney

Whiskey (for Americans & Irish) or

whisky (for Canadians, Scotts & rest of the

World)

refers to a broad category of

alcoholic beverages that are distilled

from fermented grain mash

and aged in wooden casks.

Major Whiskey Regions

• Scotland

Ireland

Kentucky

Tennessee

Whiskey making process

In Latin Whisky is called “aqua vitae aquavit” meaning "water of life"

*Barley (grain) is malted then dried

*Drying (can involve the burning of peat(dead plants)

*Next it is mashed (mixed with hot water)

*Yeast is added and mixture is fermented

*The wash is distilled and collectedMatured in casks (bourbon barrels)

*Single Malt vs blends

Whiskey’s can be made from a variety of cereals depending on their types

and water These cereals are

- Barley- Corn- Rye

- Wheat

MALTING: The process which converts barley to

MALT( refer to malting process in making of beer)

The Process #2 MASHING: Which produces WORT (sugar solution)

from ground or crushed MALT.

The Process #3 FERMENTATION : A process that produces WASH (a

weak, crude, impure spirit) consequent upon the introduction of YEAST in the WORT.

The Process #4 DISTILLATION: The process that strengthens and

purifies the spirit contained in the WASH and also separates the solids contained in the spirituous liquor.

Generally 2 distillations happen

•  The "wash" ("wort" fermented) is distilled twice in Pot stills and Esprit Still.

•  In the first distillation pot still get called "low wine" of 25-30 °, and distilling these into the second distillation, we get a whiskey of 60 ° -70 ° in heads.

• Finally we come to the aging.

MATURATION: The process that transforms the raw SPIRIT into WHISKY.

BOTTLING: After the period of maturation the

spirit is bottled to be sold.

The different types

of whiskies/whiskeys are:

Scotch whisky Irish Whiskey

American Whiskey

Canadian WhiskeyIndian Whisky

Scotch Whisky

Must be distilled at a Scottish distillery from water and malted barley, to which only other whole grains may be added, have been processed at that distillery into a mash, and fermented only by the addition of yeast.

Must be matured in Scotland in oak casks for not less than three years.

Must not contain any added substance other than water and caramel color.

Types of Scotch Single Malt Whisky It is a malt whisky from

one distillery. (Glenfiddich,

Glenmorangie, The Macallan, Balvenie, Glenlivet, Highland Park, Lagavulin, Laphroaig)

Blended Scotch whiskyIt is a mixture of malt and grain whisky. (Johnnie Walker, Cutty Sark, Famous Grouse, Chivas Regal)

Irish Whiskey

It is a whiskey made in Ireland.

The grains used in making of Irish whiskey are barley, rye and corn.

Irish whiskey has to be distilled thrice and matured for at least three years. No peat fire is used to dry the malt

American Whiskey

Kentucky

Tennessee

These Whiskeys are called Bourbons

Made not less than 51% corn with Malted barley.

Rye is also used

Barrels used are charred / toasted and made of American oak

Eg – Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark and Jim beam

Whiskeys are produced form a sour mash.

Produces some of the world’s richest and smoothest whiskies.

Charred in oak casks and then filtered through a mass of charcoal

Eg- Jack Daniel’s no 7

Canadian Whisky

Made from blends of different grains

Rye, Corn and Malted Barley

They have a reputation of being the lightest of all classic whiskies.

Famous Brands – Canadian Club and Crown Royal

Indian Whisky Made from various distilled

spirits from predominantly molasses

(by- product of refined sugarcane)

but nowadays barley malt is also used.

(90% of the "whisky" consumed in India is molasses based)

Some of the famous Indian whiskies are : Royal Challenge, Bagpiper, Antiquity

Service of Whiskey

Whiskey is served in the following ways:

-Up (liquor shaken or stirred with ice and then strained & served without ice)

-On the rocks (liquor poured over ice cubes)

- Neat ( liquor served without being chilled and without any water, ice, or

other mixer)

-With Mixers (Mixed with another drink e.g. coke, soda etc.)

Whiskey is generally served in an old fashioned glass

Whiskey Glass Types & Usage The type of whiskey glass used really does make a difference. There are different glasses for different types of drinks. Most people have a preferred way to enjoy their whiskey and it just makes sense to drink from a whiskey glass that matches the style. Which Whiskey Glass to Use:- 

old fashioned glassSimplistic Drinking PleasureThere are some whiskey drinkers who are not interested in all the fancy extras. They like their drinks straight up, adding no additional ingredients or ice. The standard, old-fashioned glass, often referred to as a lowball glass, is perfectly suitable for this purpose. It has a thick base that resists breaks for those who want to use a muddler. 

Taking it On the Rocks

rocks glassThis type of glass is called the rocks glass and is designed especially to make room for the additional volume ice brings to the drink. It features a heavy, sturdy bottom that makes it easier to handle. 

shot glassSlammers Taking ShotsIt is not every whiskey drinker’s style to sip slow and savor every drop. Some simply want to get on with the experience, slamming down the drink and zipping to the feeling. For these, the shot glass is the perfect match. 

highball glass (tumbler)Go Long for Mixed DrinksWhiskey purists may find it atrocious to add anything to the drink, but not everybody feels that way. There are many who enjoy exploring their creativity by adding all sorts of delicious ingredients. For mixed drinks, the long high ball glass is ideal. These glasses stand tall for handling the greater volume.  

snifterMake Drinking an EventThose who are passionate about their whiskey make a big deal out of each drink. They want classiness and style in glasses that will allow them to drink skillfully, making careful observations about the quality of the liquid. These drinkers may find the snifter has all they could ask for and more. While most commonly used by brandy drinkers, these snifters can be considered glasses used for whiskey also.  

Glencairn whiskey glassDrink Malt with the GlencairnThere are not many glasses for whiskey drinking that have made such an entrance into the public awareness as the Glencairn. This glass was brought to the world of drinking enthusiasts in 2001 by Raymond Davidson, a Scottish inventor. Its wide bottom grants a great deal of stability while the tapered top effectively draws the aroma to the nose of the drinker. Those who like to enjoy malt whiskey will find this whiskey glass ideal.

The whiskeys most expensive of world

• This is the most expensive whiskey in the world. It is imported and marketed the Freixenet group and there are only a few bottles of this type.

Dalmore 1968 / 45 Year Old / Constellation Collection

Costs Rs 20 Lacs/Bottle in the Indian Market   

₹1,925,408

effects of whiskey 

The effects of the whisky depends on the amount consumed, but there are other circumstances that may accelerate or exacerbate.

• Age: Young people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol on activities that deal with planning, memory and learning, and are more resistant than adults to the sedative and motor in coordination. 

•  The weight and sex: Alcohol affects more serious for people with lower body mass. In general, women weigh less and the size of your internal organs are proportionally smaller, therefore, smaller amounts of alcohol can quickly generate more psycho-organic damage and develop alcohol problems more easily than men. 

• The amount and speed of intake: depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, irrigation can be considered low, high or dangerous. A higher intake of alcohol in less time, greater possibility of getting drunk. 

• The combination with carbonated drinks (tonic, coke, etc.) accelerates the effect of alcohol in the body.

 • The simultaneous ingestion of food, especially fatty food,

slows the effect but does not prevent the alcohol effect.

• Consuming analgesics/drugs/medicines worsens the effect and puts the person in a drunk state. 

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU DO

DRINK RESPONSIBLY