Good whiskey: what are the criteria? Which whiskey should I choose?

Having tried whiskey for the first time, you will either become his admirer and admirer, or you will treat him disdainfully, as to an over-advertised elite alcohol. In the second case, most likely, you have tasted the drink with no "your" smack, and therefore it is worth simply trying another grade, with another bouquet.

This strong alcoholic beverage with an alcohol content of up to 50-60 degrees has a characteristic bright taste and exquisite aroma. It's a good idea not to drink a whiskey in one gulp, to quickly get drunk, but to savor in a good company for unhurried conversation or in the appropriate mood.

The amazing virtues of a gentleman's drink

This quality whiskey - it is also called "living water" - with moderate consumption has a beneficial effect on the human body, expanding the blood vessels and thereby stimulating blood circulation. Thanks to this, the body comes into tonus, the brain works, which activates concentration of attention, creative and analytical abilities.

This happens with the right combination of natural high-quality essential oils of cereals and resin trees, tannins, carefully purified alcohols and so on, which are part of the quality whiskey. Inadequate connection of components or savings on raw materials cause unpleasant consequences and symptoms.

How to create "living water"

To get the best whiskey:

1. Within about 10 days there is an accumulation - germination of moistened grain, which is the flavor basis.
2. After that, the malt is dried in various ways, adding additional shades to the bouquet.
3. The malt is smeared, hot water is added and kept until wort is obtained, after which yeast is introduced and the fermentation process takes place.
4. The fermented beverage is distilled several times - distilled - getting strong alcohol.
5. The finished product is aged for at least three years, most often in oak barrels from sherry, ale, bourbon and others, which each distillery selects at its discretion, which adds an additional flavor, dark color and softness.
6. Filtration and bottling - elegant "living water" from malt is ready.

The nuances and subtleties with which this delicious drink is born, a lot.

Which whiskey is better to choose for the first tasting or present as a gift, some tips on important points that radically affect the exquisite taste and delicate flavor will prompt you. Note when choosing whiskey for the aging period, country of origin and manufacturer.

Duration period

Strong alcoholic beverage, obtained after distillation, only when infused in fragrant barrels acquires the characteristic and noble notes and nuances of taste. The aging time indicated on the bottles shows the age of the youngest of the alcohols. When deciding which type of whiskey to choose, orient to an average term of 5-10 years - the drink will be sufficiently aged.

Scotch whiskey

The proud mountaineers ascribe to themselves the invention of "living water" and have the oldest traditions of its manufacture. For most of the drinks from Scotland, malt barley raw materials are used. It is dried on peat carbon and distilled braga only twice, which makes the finished product often strong or smoked taste. At different distilleries the degree of strength of this unusual relish is different, but if it does not frighten you, the connoisseurs recommend as good whiskey brands "McAllen", "Glenfiddich", "Glenliveth" (with a mild flavor), "Dyars", "Higlant Park" And "Chivas" (with a strong tart shade).

Ancient Scottish technologies and traditions bring many exclusive notes and nuances and are highly valued in the rating of "living water". According to experts in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013, drinks from Scottish producers were awarded the title of "Best Whiskey in the World".

Irish whiskey

The name of the drink is different from his Scottish brother. Irish also claim the title of the first inventors of whiskey and are proud of no less ancient traditions and methods of production. Malt is made with the addition of rye grain, dried in ovens, and not smoked, and thrice distilled wort three times. Therefore, the Irish drink has a more balanced, saturated, persistent, soft, "creamy" flavor.

Well-established whiskey of trade marks "Jameseson", "Bushmills", "Tullamore", "St Patrick", "Coolie", "Middleton" has proved to be very good.

American bourbon

The Yankee whiskey variant consists of corn grain more than 51%, and barley, wheat and rye are used in the rest. Bourbon is produced without maltification, simple grinding of grain and fermentation. To accelerate the ripening procedure, burnt from inside barrels are used, due to which the process of ripening of the drink goes faster, and the minimum period of aging of the American corn whiskey variant is two years. Its taste is sweet, and the aroma after aging is characteristic and deep.

The most famous brands of bourbon are "Jim Beam" and "Jack Daniels". A characteristic feature of the latter are special filters made from sugar maple, which adds a unique bouquet. Due to its sweetness and saturation, this type of whiskey is popular for the first acquaintance with a drink.

Japanese Whiskey

Historically, the youngest producer of malt "water of life" is rapidly gaining a leading position among connoisseurs and experts. In 2008, 2011 and 2012, Japanese manufacturers deserved the Grand Prix for the best whiskey in the world. The technology of making the drink is the closest to the Scottish traditions, up to the use of imported peat and the addition of malt tape in the blending, but at the same time, high-tech. The raw materials are both barley and rice, corn, millet, and the aroma is not as smoked.

The taste of the drink is influenced by the raw materials used for its production: rye and buckwheat add bitterness, barley - harsh flavor, corn and rice - lightness and softness. Equally important is the water used, the climate and the air in which the product is created, the technological fineness, the material of the filters and drums for aging, the holding time. Therefore, even the whiskey of one country, one distillery, one brand and even from neighboring barrels can differ, like heaven and earth.

Composition of "living water": what kind of whiskey is considered good

Here's what you need to know, remember, or write to start by going to the store:

Grape whiskey . This drink is made from a mixture of various cereals, which is mostly used as a raw material for blending.

Malt whiskey (Malt whiskey) - made only from barley malt, which can be:

1. Single cask - one-part drink from one barrel, can be diluted with water to a standard alcoholic strength;
2. Single malt is a combination of only malt drinks from one distillery, possibly with different aging times. The most popular among connoisseurs and connoisseurs of malt whiskey. Some people think that its taste and aroma is too harsh, and it needs to be softened by blending, but with time, having tasted the drink, you will not agree with this.
3. Vatted (malt) - a combination of malt "living water" of different distilleries in one barrel.

Blended whiskey (blended whiskey) - the most popular among consumers - more than 90% of demand, a type of drink that is a blend of malt and grain ingredients.

And the last thing: do not overpay for the brand and packaging, you can always pick up a good inexpensive whiskey at a reasonable price. The main thing is to understand what exactly you are looking for.

Now you know the necessary minimum about this fine and refined drink and you are a little guided by the richness of the choice. You can competently find several varieties to try and decide which "living water" is yours. Communication with a good whiskey will give you a delightful pleasure.