Blended whiskey - a noble drink

Whiskey is a strong drink. It is made from natural cereals, yeast and water, kept in special barrels. Only three countries are engaged in the production of this drink: Scotland, the USA and Ireland. The most popular is the Scottish one. Many confuse single malt whiskey and blended whiskey, we will try to understand this problem and consider each type of Scottish elixir.

Types of Scottish beverage

There are three varieties:

malt;
grain;
blended whiskey.

Production technology

Malt whiskey

Barley is used for production. Barley is carefully sorted, cleaned and dried. Then soaked in water. The water must be saturated with oxygen. The process of soaking ends when the seeds begin to germinate. Sprouted barley is dried, the temperature should be 65 degrees. Drying takes place in a special room, where the grains are smoked using peat. Thus, malt is obtained, which is then ground and mixed with hot water. Cool and add to the solution yeast. The fermentation process begins and lasts 3 days. The result is a "wash", which is subjected to double distillation (12 hours). Add water from the source to reduce the strength of the drink. Withstand malt in oak barrels. Exposure time varies, but not less than 3 years. Distinguish the following varieties: barrel (from various distilleries) and single malt (produced by a single distillery).

Grain whiskey

Raw material for the production of grain whiskey servecereals (wheat, corn). This type of whiskey is only subjected to distillation (continuously). It is much softer than malt and is, you might say, the technical raw material, which goes to the production of blended.

Blend blended whiskey

For the production mix two types: malt and cereal. Blended whiskey is the most highly advertised drink in which the tastes of different varieties are combined. Divide it into 3 types:

Standard (the aging of the components is at least three years). The most famous blends are Johnnie Walker, Ballantine's;
class "de luxe blend". This species lasts about 12 years. Popular brands: "Chivas Regal", "William Lawson";
class "premium". The aging of the blend is more than 12 years. Famous brands: "Macallan 1926", "Dalmore 62".

Blended whiskey is on the list of the most expensive elite drinks in the world. Most of the sales are mixed, but more and more customers are attracted by the attention of the single-mal.

So, as we see, whiskey is single malt and blended - these are completely different drinks, but both are exquisite.

How correctly to use?

Scotch whiskey blended - royaldrink. Use of two types of glasses: tulip-shaped (to assess the color, taste and aroma of the drink) and wide with a thick bottom (to mix with water, cola, vermouth). Scots prefer to drink whiskey in accordance with rule 5 "S": inhale, admire, savor, dilute, swallow. The temperature of the drink should be about 18-21 degrees, at this temperature a bouquet of aroma opens. If you are only going to plunge into the world of whiskey, then it's worth starting with blended!