FUCKYEAHWHISKEY!
the lowdown
Scotch Whiskey: These whiskeys tend to answer to their first name: Scotch. Scotch is whiskey that is distilled in Scotland (a whiskey wearing a kilt is a sign of validity). They are typically distilled twice, but may be distilled three times. Scotch must be aged in oak casks for at least three years (and sometimes, old bourbon barrels are used, which are shipped over from the US.)
Scotch can be made from malted barley, unmalted barley, other unmalted grains or a mix. It can also come from a single distillery, or several. Regardless of the type, Scotch is well liked among drinkers: in many peoples’ opinions, it malts in your mouth and not in your hand.
Japanese Whiskey: Initially, the Japanese took a page from the Scotch playbook and attempted to recreate the same whiskey in Japan. However, because the ingredients used in Scotland weren’t widely available, they were forced to deviate from their original plan. Still, Japanese Whiskey does a good job of carrying on the traditions introduced by the Scottish, it just tastes different.
Japanese Whiskey typically does not contain wheat or rye (two ingredients essential to many types of whiskey), and is instead made using millet, rice, and corn. Their whiskey is also initially fermented in a fashion similar to that of their sake. This produces a drink with an innovative taste fit for a king, or at least an emperor.
Irish Whiskey: Irish Whiskey is a whiskey made in Ireland. It can be produced a variety of ways, the most unique being in a pot. Pure pot still whiskey, available only from Ireland and made completely with barley, has a spicy, different, and highly sought after taste.
Irish whiskey can be single malt (made from malted barley and distilled inside a pot still) or grain whiskey (made from grain and distilled inside a column still). Grain whiskey is a lighter whiskey and is rarely bottled on its own. It is often used as a blender with single malt. Though there are some similarities between Irish Whiskey and Scotch, Irish Whiskey does not involve use of peat. This causes Irish Whiskey to be without the smokiness Scotch exhibits.
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