Whiskey- your friend, a confidant, whether you are happy, sad, or feeling like celebrating, is a drink for everyone, in every kind of mood. It is an entirely self-sufficient spirit that only requires a glass to be properly enjoyed. With over 5000 types of single malt whiskey in the world, this drink is a sure thing. Whiskey is a Gaelic word that means “water of life,” and for hundreds of years, whiskey has been the preferred drink for many. No one knows who the first person was to figure out how to make this delicious drink, but it is believed that it was originally crafted by monks.
Health Benefits, Oh Yeah!
If enjoyed in moderation, whiskey can have several health benefits. During Prohibition, doctors could apply for a license to write prescriptions for medicinal whiskey. Since then, it has been said that it helps prevent cancer, reduces chances of a stroke, and helps lower your chances of heart disease! Who knew there were even more reasons beyond enjoying the flavor, to partake in this impressive beverage!?
The distilling process of whiskey is a fine-tuned practice that has been refined over hundreds of years, across a multitude of cultures, with just as many methods to boot. Novice whiskey drinkers might not fully appreciate the nuanced and subtle flavor variations brought on by the complex distilling processes, but that does not mean you should ever pass on a good whiskey. The learning curve is hefty if you are just getting started with your education of whiskey, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy the quality and flavor from the moment you start your whiskey journey.
How Do You Take It?
There is no definitive right way to enjoy whiskey but “neat” is a true classic that we always recommend. We also suggest adding an ice cube or a few drops of water for dilution if you are tasting a new whiskey. Diluting helps open up the flavor and gives the drinker an opportunity to taste the variations. This is especially helpful if you are sampling.
An Array of Ingredients!
Whiskey starts out as beer, or “wort,” and then goes through a more advanced distilling process, but the ingredients like water, malts, and yeast, that you find in beer, are also the main ingredients in whiskey. The majority of whiskies are made from corn, wheat, rye, and barley, but some whiskies are made from rice and sweet potatoes.
Scottish whiskey can be called scotch, but only after a minimum of 3 years of aging. Scotch whiskey is distilled twice, and Irish whiskey is distilled three times. Some distilleries have casks of whiskey that have been distilled for 70+ years.
Whether your personal favorite is a Johnnie Walker Platinum, or some Jack Daniel’s- the oldest registered distillery in America, or Maker’s Mark, who has the oldest bourbon distillery in the world, you are more than likely to find yourself a well-crafted beverage that has been aged to perfection. With over 5000 types of single malt whiskey, you are sure to find one (or two) that make their way into your personal collection. With a splash of soda, or water, mixed into a cocktail, or simply just “neat,” there is no wrong way to drink and enjoy your whiskey. Explore the differences, compare the similarities, and drink what makes you happy!