Good whiskey: what are the criteria? Which whiskey should I choose?
Trying whiskey for the first time, you either become itadmirer and admirer, or you will treat him disdainfully, as to too much advertised elite alcohol. In the second case, most likely, you have tasted a drink with no "your" smack, so it's just worth trying another grade with a different bouquet.
This strong alcoholic beverage with the contentalcohol up to 50-60 degrees has a distinctive bright taste and exquisite aroma. A good whiskey is accepted not to drink at a salvo, to quickly get drunk, and 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 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 occurs when the correct combination of incomingin the composition of quality whiskey of natural essential oils of cereals and resin trees, tannins, carefully purified alcohols and other. Inadequate connection of components or savings on raw materials cause unpleasant consequences and symptoms.
How to create "living water"
To get the best whiskey:
- Within about 10 days there is an accumulation - germination of moistened grain, which is the flavor basis.
- After that, the malt is dried in various ways, adding additional shades to the bouquet.
- 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.
- The fermented beverage is distilled several times - distilled - getting strong alcohol.
- 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 extra flavor, dark color and softness.
- Filtration and bottling - elegant "living water" made from malt is ready.
Nuances and subtleties, with which this delicious drink is born, a lot.
Which whiskey is better to choose for the first tastingor present as a gift, will prompt a few tips on important points that radically affect the exquisite taste and delicate flavor. Note when choosing whiskey for the aging period, country of origin and manufacturer.
Duration period
Strong alcoholic beverage obtained afterdistillation, only when infused in fragrant barrels, it acquires 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 themselves to the invention "alivewater "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 coal 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 "Makallan", "Glenfiddich", "Glenlivet" (with a mild flavor), "Dyars", "Higlant Park" and "Chivas" (with a strong tart shade).
Ancient Scottish technologies and traditionsbring a lot of exclusive notes and nuances and are highly valued in the rating of "living water". As acknowledged by connoisseurs in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013, beverages from Scottish producers were awarded the title "Best Whiskey in the World".
Irish whiskey
The name of the drink is different from its Scottishbrother. 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.
Excellent good whiskey brands "Jameseson", "Bushmills", "Tullamore", "St Patrick", "Coolie", "Middleton".
American bourbon
The whiskey variant in the performance of the Yankees is more than 51%consists of corn grain, and in the rest are used barley, wheat and rye. Bourbon is produced without malt, simple grinding of grain and fermentation. To accelerate the maturation process, burnt barrels are used from within, thanks 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 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
The taste of the drink is influenced by the used for itraw materials: 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 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.
The 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 different cereals, which is mostly used as a raw material for blending.
Malt whiskey - cooked only from barley malt, which can be:
- Single cask - one-part drink from one barrel, can be diluted with water to a standard alcoholic strength;
- Single malt - a combination of onlymalt beverages from one distillery, possibly with a different aging time. 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 rasprobovav drink, you will not agree with this.
- Vatted (malt) - a combination of malt "living water" of different distilleries in one barrel.
Mixed, or blended whiskey (Blended whiskey) - the most popular among consumers - more than 90% of demand, the type of drink, which is a blend of malt and grain components.
And the last thing: do not overpay for the promoted 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 thisa fine and refined drink and a little guided by the richness of choice. You can competently find several varieties to try and determine which "living water" is yours. Communication with good whiskey will give you a delightful pleasure.
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