Grain whisky - historically mainly used to pad out blended whisky. Generally not very bold in flavour, but it is sweet and smooth, with little burn. Examples would be: Haig Club, Compass Box Hedonism. Haig Club with an ice cube tastes like vanilla ice cream…
Flavor: Scotch tastes smoother than whiskey. This is a result of the way the distillery malts the grains. Grains: Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage derived from barley, wheat, grain, or corn.
But the biggest difference between Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey is the distillation process. While both spirits are distilled liquors, Scotch is distilled twice to Irish whiskey's thrice. This extra distillation gives Irish whiskey a smoother finish and some say make it the best in the world.
Basically, Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky are both water and barley. However, the Scottish whisky allows the barley to sprout. Then the barley is dried with peat moss smoke. Scottish whisky will have a stronger aroma and, some say taste, thanks to the peat-smoked barley.
Four Roses Single Barrel (view at Drizly) is our editors' choice for the best overall whiskey. Though it will vary depending on the barrels, the consistently strong flavors of oak and vanilla, complimented by the higher proof, make this an excellent sipping or mixing bourbon—and a great value for the price.
Here are the best whiskeys to drink straight, including bourbons, ryes, scotches, and regional favorites like Irish whiskey, Japanese whisky, and Canadian whisky. From a smokey scotch whisky to a subtly sweet bourbon, there's a lot to be enjoyed across an impressive breadth of flavor profiles.
Bourbon is generally considered to be smoother than other whiskeys. However, if you're new to drinking whiskey, bourbon is a little gentler with a softer composition, whereas whiskey often has strong, complex flavors.
The simplest way to enjoy your whisky is neat, cleansing your palate with cool water between sips. Some people also add a few drops of water to their whisky, which can open up the flavors as the liquids combine. Experiment to see what works for you, but go slowly. Don't add too much water at once.
The descriptor of “smooth,” like so many tasting notes, can be a bit subjective. In a nutshell, smooth whiskeys are typically defined as those that are easily drinkable without producing a scratching or burning sensation in the mouth.
'Dark, full-bodied, old' - these are characteristics that speak for a high-quality Whisky. So, maturity is very important. The credo is not necessarily 'the older the better', but the Whisky must simply be well or 'harmonically' matured.
Better Taste, Flavor and Mouthfeel
Ultimately, premium whiskies have a “smoother” taste to the aficionados, with the right mixture of taste, flavor and mouthfeel. It could be peaty and smoky for a single malt with faint vanilla undertones, or the distinctive taste of a premium Bourbon.
ABV: If the ABV (alcohol by volume) of your drink is higher than 59 per cent, you will have to dilute it. Therefore, for both health and taste buds, it is better to dilute your whiskey with ice or water.
First things first, scotch is actually a whiskey, er, whisky. Whiskey is the spelling in the United States and Ireland. Whisky is the spelling in Canada, Japan, and Scotland. What sets Scotch whisky apart from other whiskies is that Scotch whisky is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland.
'Smirnoff White Whiskey -- No Smell, No Taste'
Glenfiddich 12 is part of the distillery's flagship collection, a great choice for seasoned sippers or those who are new to whisky, with lots of light and fruity flavours thanks to a high cut point. Aged for 12 years in American and European oak casks, it's also the world's most awarded single malt!
A good sipping whiskey should have a pleasant finish on your throat without leaving you gasping for air. To choose an excellent sipping whiskey, consider its quality, alcohol content, how it was created and matured. Remember that bourbon is often sweeter than Scotch, although rye may be rather peppery.
Scotland is the biggest producer of whisky in the world, and has been for at least 100 years. But while Scotland is synonymous with whisky, it isn't the only country to produce it.
We're so glad you asked. First, only Scottish whisky can be called Scotch (obviously), while in Ireland it's just called Irish whiskey. Second, the Scots spell it whisky and the Irish prefer whiskey, so as far as we're concerned, either is acceptable. Whiskey is made from grain, the most common being malted barley.
Discover the bold and vibrant flavors of Johnnie Walker Red Label, the world's best-selling Blended Scotch Whiskey.
Get To Know Jameson Original
No. Jameson is an Irish whiskey produced, distilled and matured in Ireland. However some of our whiskeys use Bourbon barrels, such as Jameson Black Barrel.