The term whiskey, which is also spelled whiskey in the United States and Ireland, derives from the Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha and the Irish Gaelic uisce beathadh , which means, in both cases, "water of life. "
Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage produced from the distillation of the ferment of malt, cereals (barley, wheat, rye and corn) or beers, it has large varieties that originate from the production method used, from aging according to the producer and mainly of the water used for its elaboration. S or caloric graduation between 35º to 50º.
The best known whiskey production process is the distillation of the malting and fermentation of cereals (grains) in various proportions. Where the malt (barley) is cleaned and soaked in water for several days, allowing it to germinate, later it is dried and roasted, once toasted it goes through a grinding, to then be mixed with water and extract its sugars (preparation of the must) This must is fermented with yeast, and distilled, thus obtaining whiskey.
The whiskey is brought to an aging process, in which it must remain in oak barrels for 3 to 4 years, and then be bottled, stored or sold at once. This step is essential as it guarantees the quality or not of the drink.
Another method of obtaining whiskey is with essences and distillates of plant origin, thus creating a drink similar to whiskey in terms of taste and quality.
When we talk about Whiskey, the most popular is Scotch Whiskey. Other types are the Irish; the Canadian; the North American Bourbon and Rye Whikey. Scotch whiskeys are generally combinations or blends of different types of whiskeys and take the name "blended whiskey".
Scotch whiskey is surely the best known liquor in the world; So much so that it is manufactured, with very good quality and with its own brands, in countries as diverse as Japan (Suntory) and Argentina (Premium), the Scotch Whiskey as it is also known is inimitable because only Scotland has meltwater that come from rock formations of red granite.
Irish whiskey is smoother, silkier and rounder than Scotch. The United States whiskey its flavor is modified by the balance between cereals, and it acquires a strong vanilla aroma during its maturation in burnt new oak barrels. The most common and popular brands of Whiskey are: Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, JB, Jhonnie Walter, Royal Highness, Something Special, White House, The Breeder's Choice and The Famous Grouse.
