In the past, Whisky was one of the most valuable commodities. It had an economic value and was treated as gold. Taking this amazing brew was a way to quench your thirst and craving and give you some pride. The rich played their cards and showed off their abilities by ordering the best and most expensive Whisky.
What can we say? Whisky has an undeniably rich history. As a whisky lover, you can learn unlimited facts and exciting things about this fantastic brew. Learning these impressive facts about Whiskey gives you enough knowledge to appreciate it.
This article brings a collection of amazing facts about Whiskey.
Here are Amazing Facts about Whiskey
Numbers/Age Matters
An older whiskey is expensive. Whiskey can stay up to hundreds of years, and the more years, the more expensive it becomes. An unopened bottle of Bird Dog Whiskey will be good for 100 years, while a half-full bottle or an opened bottle remains good for up to five years. For the best taste and whiskey experience, look at the oldest drink since it was manufactured.
The Whiskey or Whisky Debate
One common question about Whiskey is whether to include the e or not. There is unending debate about the correct spelling of this word. However, whichever way you spell it, you are not wrong. But why do we have the difference in spelling? Whisky mainly denotes Scotch-Inspired Liquors or Scotch whisky, while Whiskey primarily denotes American and Irish Liquors. That’s the fastest and easiest way to remember the difference and how produces spell this excellent product.
Another general way to understand this difference is countries with an E in their names, such as Ireland and America, spell it as Whiskey and whiskeys in the plural. In contrast, those without E, such as Scotland, Canada, and Japan, tend to omit the E and spell it as whisky and whiskies in the plural.
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Whisky Connoisseur Don’t Add Ice
A true whiskey enthusiast will tell you that ice will always affect the taste and flavor of Whiskey. It makes it dull and lowers your Whiskey’s temperature, hindering the flavor and freezing its aroma. If you must add, add only one cube. Nevertheless, taking it as it is or raw may not also work well; you should add a few drops of water. Water helps to prevent the strong alcohol content from desensitizing your senses.
Soft, still spring water is the best as it helps to boost the whisky flavor and aroma. It would be best if you also were cautious with tap water as some contain high chlorine levels that will spoil the taste.
Lighting Whisky On Fire
People light Whiskey to check on the amount of alcohol present. The color of the flame indicates whether the amount of alcohol content is correct. If the flame is too hot, it means the alcohol content is too much.
Whisky Was a Valuable Asset
In countries such as Pennsylvania, whisky was used as a currency. It was also used for medicine, cooking, and drinking, among other uses.
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The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794
The wide use of Whiskey led to rebellion in Pennsylvania countries. The Irish and Scottish traders started begrudging taxes as Whiskey was considered a vital economic asset to them. In 1974, a revolt broke out, which led to rioting troops. This led to the president ordering troops to suppress the rioting.
There Are 5-7 Whisky Major Regions
Depending on who is explaining, there are 5 to 7 major regions where whisky is mainly distilled. The five commonly known whisky regions include Irish Whiskey, Scotch whisky, Kentucky (Bourbon), Tennessee Whiskey, and Canadian Whisky. The two debated whisky regions are New Zealand and Japan.
The Word Whisky Means “Water Of Life”
The word whisky is derived from the Gaelic word “Uisge Beatha,” which means “water of life.” When whisky was spread around Europe by the Irish Monks, most people could not pronounce the word Uisge Beatha. To them, Uisce sounded more like Whiskey; hence, the word was phonetically adopted as usky and eventually changed to Whiskey.
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Dairy Farmers Love Whisky Distillers
Dairy farmers and whisky distillers have a symbiotic relationship. This means they both benefit from each other and build a close connection. Dairy farmers benefit from the disposed corn and other grains used by distillers in making Whiskey. These discarded grain wastes are nutrient-rich and suitable for animal feeds. Feeding cattle with nutrient-rich feeds helps to improve milk production. This is why dairy farmers have a close connection with distillers.
The Art of Whiskey Blending
Blended whiskies are made by combining whiskies from different distilleries. The common ratio of grain to malt is 60% to 40%, meaning 60% grain whisky and 40% malt whisky. Each whisky used in blending has aged approximately five years and above. Some significant examples of blended whiskies include; Jameson, Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, Old St. Andrews, Chivas Regal, Seagram’s Seven Crown, and Isle of Skye.
Three Is a Magic Number
Most Scotch whiskies are held for a minimum of three years in casks in Scotland. However, some barrels can hold whisky for more than three years.
How To Choose the Best Whisky
Let’s get a few facts on how you can choose the best whisky
Understand Your Taste
You don’t have to go for the most expensive whisky to see if you like it. You can still get affordable options from the same company with only a few differences. Sampling different whiskies allow you to know the perfect taste that suits you.
Look For Higher Proof Whiskies
Higher-proof whiskies are less diluted. High-concentrated whiskies are more favored than diluted ones. If the flavor is too strong for you, you should dilute it. Look for words such as bottled-in-bond or bonded, which implies that it was bottled at 100% proof. You can also go for lower but not below 93%.
Check Out the Major Ingredients
The ingredients used to make whisky can tell you more about its quality and flavor profile. The various components are squeezed together, fermented, and distilled to make the whisky matter a lot. Usually, malted barley is drier, rye is spicier, and corn gives caramel notes.
Final Word
When it comes to whiskey, age, taste, and flavor matter; therefore, learning the various facts about whiskey allows you to know what to expect and go for when buying this incredible brew. Don’t shy off from trying the best whiskies in the world.
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