Even for casual drinkers, whiskey has an aura of class and sophistication. Either because of marketing, or strict regulation, whiskey tends to be a class all on its own.
You do really have to wonder, what does whiskey taste like for it to evoke such passion from its enthusiasts.
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of whiskey, and see for ourselves the mysteries that this drink holds. What’s it made of? How is it made? What makes whiskey such an interesting drink?
What is Whiskey?
Whiskey is an alcoholic drink made from the fermentation and distillation of a mix of barley, corn, rye, and wheat mash.
It’s commonly aged in charred white oak casks, and then bottled after aging. A whiskey doesn’t mature in the bottle, and thus any age related to whiskey is the time it spent maturing in the cask.
Whiskey is a strictly regulated liquor, with each grain mix, alcoholic content, and blend constituting a different type of whiskey.
It’s because of these various whiskey types that make answering the question of what whiskey tastes like so hard to answer.
The US Code of Federal Regulations has a very long list of what whiskey is supposed to be, and each and every type has to adhere to these rules.
The mixing of grains, the place of production, even the length of maturation can change the distinction of a bottle of whiskey.
How is Whiskey Made?
A great portion of the factors that affect what whiskey does taste like by the time it’s bottled is related to its production.
Although each type of whiskey can be made in different ways, they share common methods of distillation and aging.
Whiskey is distilled usually using copper stills. This is because copper can eliminate the sulfur-based compounds from the distillate that would affect the liquor’s taste.
Modern stills are made from stainless steel, but will still have interiors lined with copper because of this factor.
Pot stills and column stills are commonly used to distill whiskey. Pot stills are distillation containers that process the liquid in batches.
The fermented mix is poured in, and a new batch can’t be distilled until the first is finished. Column stills operate in a continuous distillation system. They’re large tanks connected to each other by pipes, with the distillate flowing constantly through the process.
After distillation, the liquor is then aged in casks. Whether new barrels or old, charred or otherwise, it’s the wood in the casks that gives whiskey its color. It’s in the aging, and blending process that whiskey gains its various flavors.
Once the distiller decides that the whiskey has matured enough, it is then bottled. From then on, the whiskey stops aging and doesn’t really gain any benefit from prolonged storage.
The Different Types of Whiskey
The question of what whiskey tastes like will usually be replied to with, “what type of whiskey are you talking about?”
This isn’t strange as there are dozens of types, each with their own different kinds of blends. Here are some of the more popular kinds, and what distinguishes them from the rest.
Main Classifications
Grain Whiskey
This is whiskey that’s made from fermented mash of any grain other than malted barley. This usually means combinations of corn, wheat, or rye. They may contain malted barley, but only as a way to promote fermentation, and not as a main ingredient.
Malted Whiskey
This is whiskey created from a mash made primarily from malted barley. Other grains may be included in the mix, but malted barley is the main component.
Sub Classes of Whiskey
Single Malt Whiskey
This is malt whiskey made by a single distillery using a mash from only one type of malted grain. Unless a single malt whiskey is also labeled as single cask, then the whiskey is a blend of different casks within that single distillery.
Blended Malt Whiskey
This is whiskey made from a blend of single malt whiskies from different distilleries. Any whiskey that has the label “malt” or “pure malt” is more than likely blended malt whiskey. Whiskey labeled as “vatted malt” is also blended whiskey.
Blended Whiskey
This is whiskey made from a mixture of different whiskies, both malted, or grain, usually from different distilleries. Blending is done to achieve particular flavors that the brand is known for.
Cask Strength or Barrel Proof Whiskey
This is a very rare type of whiskey, bottled undiluted, or lightly diluted form the barrel. This type of bottling is quite uncommon, and only the best brands are ever made this way.
Single Cask, or Single Barrel
These whiskies are bottled from only a single cask. Because of this, bottles made this way are labeled with the number of the barrel that they were taken from. Not all single cask whiskeys are cask strength, but all cask strength whiskies are single barrel.
Geographic Classifications
The US has certain types of whiskies that are categorized as different kinds under federal law.
These whiskies include Bourbon Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, Corn Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Rye Malt Whiskey, and Wheat Whiskey. Other than bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, the other kinds depend on the main grains that are used as their mash.
Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey are blends that require the mash be made of at least 51% corn.
What makes them different from each other is that Tennessee whiskey is required to be filtered through maple charcoal after distillation. Otherwise, they are identical in the production process.
Made to Fit Different Tastes
The taste of whiskey certainly can’t be described in simple terms. Even with tight regulation, makers of this fine drink still find ways to distinguish themselves from the rest.
It’s a good thing too, as discerning palates would tire from drinking the same thing over and over.
So, what does whiskey taste like? It depends on who you ask, really. A drink that’s too strong for one person, may be just right for another.
With all the available brands on the market, there should at least be one to fit any taste imaginable. Rather than asking the question, pour a glass for yourself and find the answer.