Magazine F Issue 19 Whiskey

Whiskey, made from germinated barley malt, water, and yeast, is an alcoholic beverage produced through distillation. It has origins dating back to when Buddhist monks first created it for medicinal purposes between the fourth and fifth centuries. The drink is classified into categories such as malt, grain, or blended whiskey, with types including Scotch, Irish, bourbon, Canadian whiskey, and others, depending on the primary ingredients and manufacturing methods. The aroma and flavor develop through long-term aging in oak barrels, with various factors influencing the final quality. Master distillers oversee the process, controlling these variables to craft unique flavors that reflect a distillery’s character. In recent times, independent bottling companies not owning distilleries have increased their efforts, experimenting with changes like not printing age on labels or altering traditional resting times.