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'''Whisky''' refers to a group of [[Alcoholic drinks|alcoholic beverage]]s (liquors) distilled from fermented cereal grains such as barley, rye, wheat or maize.  The word derives from the Gaeilc ''uisge beatha'' - water of life. (c.f. ''eau de vie'' for French spirits, ''aqua vitae'' Italian, ''aquavit'' or ''akvavit'' Scandinavian, ''okovita'' [[vodka]] in Poland and Ukraine).  The conventional spelling is '''whisky''' for spirits distilled in Scotland ([[Scotch]]), Wales, Japan and Canada while '''whiskey''' is used for spirits from Ireland and the USA.   

'''Whisky''' refers to a group of [[Alcoholic drinks|alcoholic beverage]]s (liquors) distilled from fermented cereal grains such as barley, rye, wheat or maize.  The word derives from the Gaelic ''uisge beatha'' - water of life. (c.f. ''eau de vie'' for French spirits, ''aqua vitae'' Italian, ''aquavit'' or ''akvavit'' Scandinavian, ''okovita'' [[vodka]] in Poland and Ukraine).  The conventional spelling is '''whisky''' for spirits distilled in Scotland ([[Scotch]]), Wales, Japan and Canada while '''whiskey''' is used for spirits from Ireland and the USA.   

==Scottish Whiskies==

==Scottish Whiskies==

Known as Scotch (the term only refers to the beverage, not the people) there are two main types [[Malt]] and [[Grain]].  Malt whisky is made from malted [[barley]] and distilled in a pot still. Malt whiskies may be [[single]] and come from one distillery (such as ''Glenfiddich'', ''Glenmorangie'' or ''Highland Park'') or [[vatted]] - a blend of malts from several distilleries (''Johnny Walker Blue Label''). Grain whiskies are made from unmalted cereals and fermented in a continuous distillation process.  Generally grain whiskies are blended with unnamed malts to supply the cheaper end of the market (''Bells'', ''Teachers'', ''Famous Grouse'', ''Johnny Walker Red Label''). Malt whiskies are normally the choice of connoisseurs with different regions of Scotland producing notably different styles.  Blended whiskies are often used in mixed drinks.

 

Connoisseurs of fine Scotch will drink their whisky either neat or with a very small splash of still water to help release the flavours. The addition of ice (Scotch on the rocks) is frowned upon as it destroys the flavour.

Known as "Scotch" there are two main types, [[Malt]] and [[Grain]].   

 

 

Malt whisky is made from malted [[barley]] and distilled in a pot still.  

 

Malt whiskies may be [[single]] and come from one distillery (such as ''Glenfiddich'', ''Glenmorangie'' or ''Highland Park'') or [[vatted]] - a blend of malts from several distilleries (''Johnny Walker Blue Label''). Single malt whiskies are normally the choice of whisky connoisseurs with different regions of Scotland producing notably different styles and a range of complex flavours.

 

 

Grain whiskies are made from unmalted cereals and fermented in a continuous distillation process.   

 

Generally grain whiskies are blended with unnamed malts to supply the cheaper end of the market (''Bells'', ''Teachers'', ''Famous Grouse'', ''Johnny Walker Red Label''). Blended whiskies are mostly used in mixed drinks, for example a "Scotch and American" (Whisky and dry ginger ale).

 

 

Connoisseurs of fine malt Scotch will drink their whisky either neat or with a very small splash of cold still water to help release the flavours. The addition of ice ("Scotch on the rocks") is frowned upon as it destroys the flavour.

[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]

[[Category:Alcoholic beverages]]

[[category:Scottish Cuisine]]

[[category:Scottish Cuisine]]