What makes Irish whiskey different?

Can’t inform the distinction between Irish whiskey and bourbon and Scotch? Listed here are a couple of ways in which the spirits are related but completely different.

MAGIC SPELL The spelling of the phrase whiskey is a lifeless giveaway. The Scots and the Canadians drop the letter “e,” spelling theirs “whisky” as an alternative of “whiskey.” American bourbon makers spell theirs with an “e,” simply because the Irish do.

THE SAME . . . In some methods, all whiskeys are alike. All are distilled drinks made out of a mix of grains, water and yeast. Most are aged in charred American oak barrels.

. . . BUT DIFFERENT The primary substances in Irish whiskey are barley, malt (sprouted or germinated barley) and water.

Bourbon is made primarily with corn; Canadian whisky is usually made with a mix from wheat, corn, barley and rye.

Scotch has related substances to Irish whiskey, however it's usually dried over a peat hearth. The smoke from the peat hearth impacts the odor and style of Scotch.

WHAT’S COOKING? Bourbon and Scotch often are distilled twice. Irish whiskey typically is distilled 3 times. The extra distillations, the lighter and cleaner the spirit.

SLEEPYTIME All whiskeys “sleep,” or relaxation in casks, till they've matured, that means after distillation, they’re put away for years in darkish fragrant cellars or warehouses. Bourbon matures in new charred, American oak barrels. Most makers of different varieties of whiskeys reuse American barrels for his or her merchandise. Some premium Irish whiskeys start their getting old course of in American barrels and are then later transferred to used port or sherry casks for “ending.”