Types of Whiskey (Whisky)
Scotch whisky (note the e is omitted in the spelling) is made only in Scotland. Whiskey made outside Scotland is usually spelled with the e, ie., whiskey. Scotch whisky is made of barley malt which has been smoked on a porous floor over peat fires before distillation. In general, several different varieties are blended together and then further diluted with a neutral grain alcohol.Whisky that is not blended is called single malt, and makes up less than 2 percent of the whisky sold. Interestingly enough, the alcohol content of whisky actually decreases with aging.
Irish whiskey, aged in both charred and uncharred casks is made in Ireland. Although whiskey is said to have originated with St. Patrick in Ireland, some Scotch whisky snobs feel it is worthy only of Irish coffee. No matter how refined your palate may be, the milder Irish whiskey will still be just fine for cooking.
American whiskey comes in a number of classifications, further covered here.
More About Whiskey and Whiskey Recipes:
• American Whiskey Classifications and Proof• Whiskey Types - Scotch and Irish
• Whiskey Alcohol Content in Recipes
• Whiskey History
• Alcohol Burn-Off Chart
• Alcohol Substitutions
• Whiskey (Whisky) Recipes
Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cookbooks
| • | Jack Daniel's The Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook |
| • | The Book of Classic American Whiskeys |
| • | American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story |
| • | Cooking with Booze |
| • | More Cookbooks |
