Whisky Production – What Is Whisky and What Is Whisky Made From?
- Whisky is made from grain, water, and yeast, and must be aged at least three years in an oak barrel.
- There are various types of whisky, including malt whisky (Scotch), grain whisky, bourbon whisky, corn whisky, and rye whisky, each using different grains and production methods.
- Whisky production involves malting and heating the grain, mashing and fermenting, distilling, and finally aging in oak barrels, which gives whisky its characteristic flavor.
Whisky is THE drink for connoisseurs! Its bold flavor gives the spirit a touch of elegance, which is exactly why it's so popular. But what is whisky made from? And how is it produced? Despite its popularity, the question of how whisky is made remains a mystery for many. To unravel it, a whisky tasting or a cocktail class is usually a great way to learn about its origin, history, and what whisky is actually made from. Here's a quick introduction so you'll know in the future why your favorite drink is so special.
What Is Whisky Made From?
Whisky is made from grain, water, and yeast, and after distillation, it's aged for three years in an oak barrel. To be called whisky, it must have an alcohol content of at least 40%.
But not all whisky is the same. Depending on which grain is used in production, that determines the type of whisky and how it's labeled commercially. The base ingredient plays a major role in whisky production, since flavor varies depending on the grain used.
How Is Whisky Made?
Whisky production involves several steps that all need to happen in sequence. From fermentation to aging, it's sometimes quite a long journey, but one that's definitely worth it.
Malting and Heating
The base ingredient for whisky is always grain, like wheat, barley, rye, or corn. The choice of grain varies depending on the geographic location of the country of origin, which influences the whisky's aroma. To make whisky, the grain is usually malted first, which happens on what's called a malting floor. The goal is to get the grain to germinate. This activates the enzymes in the grain kernel. This process converts the starch inside into malt sugar, so it can later be converted into alcohol during fermentation. For bourbon whiskey, the grain isn't malted, instead, the corn is cooked until the sugar becomes available.
Afterward, the grain is dried using heat. This stops the germination process. Hot air is typically used for this step. After drying, the grain is ground in mills into a fine, powdery consistency.
Info: in Scotland, the grain is dried over peat fires. This gives Scotch whisky its distinctive smoky aroma.
Mashing and Fermenting
Once the grain has been milled, it's mixed with hot water. This extracts the fermentable sugar and separates it from the remaining grain solids. Once the hot water creates a sugar solution, the mixture is transferred into a fermentation vessel, where yeast cultures are added. This process takes 48 to 72 hours.
During fermentation, alcohol and carbon dioxide are produced, and the yeast cultures eventually die off. At this stage, the alcohol content sits between 8% and 11%, and the liquid is ready for distillation.
Distilling
There are two different methods here: distilling whisky in copper pot stills, and whisky production using column stills. In both distillation methods, the whisky is distilled two to three times. The first distillation run produces what's called "low wines," with an alcohol content of about 20%. By the third run, the alcohol content rises higher, usually between 60% and 70%. These are the high wines.
But that's not all. During distillation, the whisky is also divided into three parts, of which the middle portion, the heart, is used for the final whisky.
Aging
As with rum production and gin production, the flavor of whisky is also shaped by how it's aged. Depending on the barrel used, the whisky takes on a different flavor profile, since the barrel releases its own aromas into the spirit.
Is Whiskey Made from Potatoes?
No, traditional whiskey isn't typically made from potatoes. Whiskey is primarily made from grain, like barley, corn, rye, or wheat. These grains are ground, mixed, and then fermented to release the sugar needed for alcohol production. Potatoes, on the other hand, are more commonly used to produce spirits like vodka or certain types of brandy. That said, there are some modern experiments and specialty whiskey variations that use potatoes or other unconventional ingredients, but they don't represent the mainstream of whiskey production.
What Types of Whisky Are There?
Malt Whisky
Malt whisky is the classic among whiskies. To be called Scotch whisky, malt whisky must be produced in Scotland and aged in a barrel there for at least three years. Whiskies from the US, Ireland, and elsewhere therefore aren't allowed to use the term Scotch for their malt whiskies.
Malt whiskies are made from 100% malted barley, no other grains are permitted. They must be distilled in copper pot stills. Within malt whisky, there are two categories worth distinguishing: single malt whisky and blended malt whisky. Blended malt whiskies are typically always a mix of malt and grain whiskies. Grain whisky generally has a less intense flavor than single malt whisky. For that reason, malt is added to boost the flavor.
Difference Between Single Malt Whisky and Blended Malt Whisky
Single Malt Whisky | Blended Malt Whisky |
Comes from a single distillery | Comes from multiple distilleries |
Only 100% malted barley may be used | Contains multiple grain and whisky types |
Higher priced, therefore consumed less often | More commercial, therefore consumed more often |
Grain Whisky
Here, the spirit can also contain grains like wheat, rye, or oats. Unlike malt whisky, grain whisky isn't produced in copper pot stills, but rather through a column still process.
Bourbon Whisky
This type of whisky consists of at least 51% corn along with other grains like rye or barley. With bourbon whisky, it's also not required that malted barley be used in production. Many grain types can be chosen here: corn, rye, barley, or wheat can all be used. Like grain whisky, this type also goes through a column still distillation process.
Bourbon whisky is produced in the US, mostly in Kentucky. It must be aged in charred, new oak barrels. No additional flavorings are permitted. Because of its high corn content, bourbon whisky tends to be fairly sweet.
Corn Whisky
This term refers to whisky made predominantly from at least 80% corn.
Rye Whisky
This is a whisky made mostly from rye (at least 51%). Distillation typically takes place in column stills. Today, though, this type is produced only in limited quantities. That might be because the rye content gives the whisky a strong, spicy note that not every whisky lover enjoys.
Info: there's a specific reason why this spirit has two different spellings: whisky and whiskey. That's because the term "whisky" is used in Scotland, while "whiskey" is used in the US and Ireland.
Now You Know What Whisky Is Made From
Whisky is versatile, and thanks to its various production methods, it has the potential to appeal to many different tastes. Whether you prefer a bolder flavor or a sweeter note, there's something here for every connoisseur. Just try it out at a whisky tasting in Freiburg, and you'll soon know which type of whisky you prefer. And if this spirit still isn't quite your thing: there are plenty of other options in the world of drinks worth trying. Check out our tastings, and you're guaranteed to find the right fit.
