Buy Whisky

Discovering whisky

A spirit with rich and complex aromas, whisky is one of the most appreciated spirits around the world and is even the most popular among them on the French market.

There is a very wide variety of whisky styles. Indeed, depending on the grains used, the aging duration, or even the types of casks employed, very different flavor profiles can be presented to the enthusiast.

So, how is Whisky made? What is a Blend, a Single Malt, or a Blended Malt? Is there a difference between Whisky and Whisky? What is the difference between Whisky and Bourbon? Which are the main producing countries? You will find all the answers to these questions in the following lines.

How is Whisky made?

The method of whisky production can vary depending on the country, but certain key elements are common.

First of all, whisky is made from fermented grains. While most are produced from malted barley, other grains such as corn, rye, or even wheat can also be used.

To make whisky, the grains of these cereals are first crushed and then mixed with hot water to form a paste called "mash". Under the action of yeasts, it will then ferment, creating a liquid that can be compared to a beer, also known as "wash".

Subsequently, this same liquid will be distilled in stills in order to obtain a strong alcohol. This will then age in oak barrels (sometimes new, but sometimes having already contained other spirits such as Bourbon, wine, Port, or even Sherry), thereby imparting numerous aromas as well as a certain color to the distillate.

Of course, there are many subtleties between these categories, allowing for the creation of highly diverse aromatic profiles. Thus, the choice of grains and their proportion in the blend, the type of casks used, the aging duration, and even the distillation method are all factors that make it possible to create whiskies to suit every taste!

Blend, Single Malt, Scotch, Blended Malt: a bit of vocabulary

It is sometimes easy to feel a bit lost in front of a bottle of whisky. Indeed, various indications may appear on a label, sometimes making it complex for beginners to understand the spirit.

Thanks to these few key terms, you will already feel much more comfortable when choosing your bottle.

First of all, a Single Malt Whisky is a whisky produced from malted barley in a single, unique distillery.

A Blended Malt on the other hand is a whisky made from the blend of several Single Malts.It is therefore a blend of malted barley whiskies from several distilleries. The terms Pure Malt as well as Vatted Malt are synonymous.

A Grain Whisky is a whisky produced from grains other than malted barley. It is generally a blend of corn, rye, oats, and wheat.This type of whisky is mainly intended for the creation of blends (see below). Finally, Blended Whisky (or Blend) is the most widely consumed type of whisky in the world (90% of production). This is a blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskies. Another term is also often seen on whisky bottles: Scotch. This simply means that you are dealing with a whisky distilled and aged in Scotland for at least three years.

From a tasting perspective, it is impossible to claim that one style of whisky is better than another: each whisky is unique and each
distillery has its own expertise. Moreover, it is above all a matter of taste and therefore highly personal!

Some people indeed enjoy powerful, peated whiskies, such as the Peated Black Edition from the French house Bellevoye. Others will prefer very indulgent whiskies like those from the Japanese house Nikka or from the French brand Hériose. Some enthusiasts, on the other hand, will be particularly fond of grain whiskies, such as the bottles from the brilliant Irish distillery Waterford. Finally, the approachable and fruity whiskies from Scottish and Irish brands Jura, The Glenlivet, and Powers will suit a variety of palates.

What are the differences between Whisky and Whiskey?

The word Whiskey is only used to describe Irish and American whiskies. In France, Japan, or even Scotland, the term Whisky is used to describe local production.

To find the reason for this linguistic difference, we need to go back to the 19th century. At that time, in order to distinguish themselves from Scottish whiskies, which were then of rather variable quality, the Irish had the idea to change the word Whisky to Whiskey on all their bottles exported to the
United States. Since then, the term has continued to be used by both countries.

What is the difference between Whisky and Bourbon?

Bourbon is a Whisky, but Whisky is not a Bourbon ! That’s the key difference. Indeed, to be called Bourbon, a spirit must obligatorily:

-be produced from a majority of corn (at least 51%),

-be aged for a minimum of two years in new oak barrels,

-have an alcohol content of at least 40%,

-be produced in the United States (with Kentucky accounting for 90% of its production).

these different aspects mean that Bourbon has an aromatic profile distinct from traditional whisky. In fact, a Bourbon generally features woody and spicy notes (oak, vanilla, coconut, pepper, clove, etc.), very intense, whisky, on the other hand, tends to express itself with more cereal notes and features a less indulgent and less dominant woodiness.

What are the main whisky-producing countries? 

Scotland is without a doubt the most famous whisky-producing country in the world. It stands out for its different production regions: the Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Islay, and Campbeltown. Scottish whiskies are highly regarded for their diversity of flavors, ranging from light and fruity expressions to powerful and peated versions.

Ireland is also highly renowned in the world of whisky thanks to its fruity and elegant whiskies. These are most often Pure Pot Still, meaning whiskies made using both malted and unmalted barley, as well as a third grain.

The United States is also a very important country in the world of whisky thanks to its production of Bourbon. As mentioned above, this spirit is mainly produced with corn, but other grains such as rye or wheat can also be used.

How can we talk about Whisky without mentioning Japan! Inspired by Scottish methods, Japanese whiskies are renowned for their great finesse and remarkable precision. They are often described as elegant and subtle, expressing delicate fruity and floral aromas. It is worth noting that Japan also has a specific type of wood that is sometimes used during the aging of certain whiskies: Mizunara.

Finally, France is also very present in the Whisky market. The country is the world's leading consumer (per capita), and there are many French whiskies available on the market, such as the Le Breuil range from the renowned Château du Breuil, as well as the Charentais whiskies Bellevoye and Hériose. Many regional whiskies are also produced in areas such as Brittany, Alsace, and Jura. Other countries, such as Canada, India, and Sweden, also produce renowned whiskies, each with its own distinctive characteristics.

As you will have understood, the world of whisky offers an incredible array of flavors and styles. So, whether you prefer peated Scottish whiskies, rich bourbons, or very elegant Japanese whiskies, there is undoubtedly a whisky to suit your palate! To determine which one, please feel free to contact La Cave Éclairée !