Let’s take a look at the difference between whisky and whiskey. Are they different? Do they refer to different meanings?
After exploring the internet, I found out that the Canadian and Scotland people usually use the term whisky while people from the USA and Ireland use the term whiskey.
Let’s clear the conflict between these two terms by looking at the different examples.
Scotch whisky is pronounced without the letter e because of the production of that particular whisky in Scotland, whereas we said people use the term whisky instead of whiskey. Canadian and Japanese people also pronounce the term whisky without the letter e.
Bourbon and Rye are two different whiskey types primarily produced in the USA, while Irish whiskey with the letter e in whiskey is produced in Ireland.
People from different geographic locations use different terms (whisky and whiskey). But are they just different in spelling? No, geographical location is one of the main differences, but it isn’t the solution to the conflict between these two terms.
Besides geographical differences, the production of whiskey in America and Ireland is quite different compared to the production of whisky in Scotland, Canada, and Japan.
Scotch Whisky
It must fall under certain requirements before acquiring this name or being so-called Scotch Whisky.
The distillation must be carried out in oak barrels for at least three years and must be aged immediately after the distillation process.
The distillation and the maturation process need to be carried out in Scotland to be so-called Scottish whisky; although it sounds a little bit weird, that’s how it is.
Scottish whisky is further categorized into five distinct subcategories.
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A to z Single Malt Scotch Whiskies
- Aberfeldy
- Aberlour
- Alisa Bay
- Allt-A-Bhainne
- Ancnoc
- Ardbeg
- Ardmore
- Ardnamurchan
- Arran
- Auchentoshan
- Auchroisk
- Balblair
- Ballechin
- Balmenach
- Balbenie
- Banff
- Ben Nevis
- Ben Wyvis
- Benriach
- Benrinnes
- Benromach
- Bladnoch
- Blair Athol
- Bowmore
- Braes of Glenlivet
- Brora
- Bruichladdich
- Bunnahabhain
- Caol Ila
- Caperdonich
- Cardhu
- Clynelish
- Coleburn
- Convalmore
- Crabbie
- Cragganmore
- Craigduff
- Craigellachie
- Croftencea
- Cu Bocan
- Dailuaine
- Dallas DHU
- Dalmore
- Dalwhinnie
- Deanston
- Dufftown
- Dunglass
- Edradour
- Fettercairn
- Glen Albyn
- Glen Deveron
- Glen Elgin
- Glen Flagler
- Glen Garioch
- Glen Grant
- Glen Keith
- Glen Mhor
- Glen Moray
- Glen ORD
- Glen Rannoch
- Glen Scotia
- Glen Spey
- Glenallachie
- Glenburgie
- Glencadam
- Glenfyne
- Glenflassaugh
- Glengoyne
- Glekinchie
- Glencadam
- Glendronach
- Glenullan
- Glenesk
- Flenfarclas
- Glenfiddich
- Glenfyne
- Flenglassaugh
- Glengoyne
- Glenkinchie
- Glenlivet
- Glenlochy
- Glenlissue
- Glenmorangie
- Glenrothes
- Glenauchers
- Glenturret
- Glenugie
- Glenury Royal
- Glenwyvis
- Hazelburn
- Highland Harvest
- Highland Park
- Hillside
- Imperial
- Inchfad
- Inchgower
- Inchmoan
- Inchmurrin
- Inverleven
- Isle Of Raasay
- Jura
- Kilchoman
- Kilkerran
- Kinclaith
- Kingsbarns
- Kininvie
- Knochkando
- Knockdhu
- Ladyburn
- Lagavulin
- Lagg
- Laphroaig
- Ledaig
- Lindores Abbey
- Linkwood
- Linlithgow
- Littlemill
- Loch Dhu
- Loch Lomond
- Lochlea
- Lochside
- Longmorn
- Long grow
- Macallan
- Macduff
- Mannochmore
- Millburn
- Miltonduff
- Mortlach
- Mosstowie
- NC’Nean
- North Port
- Oban
- Octomore
- Old Ballantruan
- Old Elgin
- Old Pulteney
- Old Rhosdhu
- Pittyvaich
- Port Askaig
- Port Charlotte
- Port Ellen
- Pride of Strathspey
- Rosebank
- Royal Brackla
- Royal Lochnagar
- Scapa
- Singleton of Dufftown
- Smokehead
- Spey
- SpeyBurn
- Speyside
- Springbank
- ST Magdalene
- Strathisla
- Strathmill
- Talisker Tamdhu
- Tamnavulin
- Teaninich
- Tobermory
- Tomatin
- Tomintoul
- Torabhaig
- Tormore
- Tullibardine
- Various Wolfburn
Grain Scottish whisky
A to z Grain Scottish Whiskies
- Arbikie
- Ballantine’s
- Caledonian
- Cambus
- Cameronbridge
- Caperdonich
- Compass Box
- Dumbarton
- Girvan
- Haig Club
- Invergordon
- Loch Lomond
- North British
- Port Dundas
- Spearhead
- Strathclyde
- Strathcolm
- Twfedalf
- Various
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
A to z Blended Malt Scottish Whiskies
- Angels’ Nectar
- Bell’s
- Berry Bros and Rudo
- Big Peat
- Blooming Gorse
- Caisteal Chamuis
- Campbeltown Loch
- Chivas
- Cladach
- Collection Moon
- Cllectivum
- Compass Box
- Copper Dog
- Elements of Islay
- Elixir Distillers
- Epicurean
- Fable
- Famous Grouse
- Flaming Feast
- Gladstone Axe
- Highland Harvest
- Islay Journey
- Johnnie Walker
- Mackintosh
- Monkey Shoulder
- Mossburn
- Naked
- Old Bannockburn
- Old Perth
- Peat Chimney
- Poit Dhubh
- Portgordon
- Rock Island
- Sandy Macdonald
- Scallywag
- Serendipity
- Shackleton
- Sheep Dip
- Six Isles
- Spice King
- Strathconon
- The Exceptional
- The Gauldrons
- The Hive
- Thompson Bros
- Timorous Beastie
- Various
- Wemyss
- Westport
- Whisky works
- William Grant
- Williamson
Blended Scotch Whisky
A to z Blended Scotch Whiskies
- Ainslie’s
- Alex Ferguson
- Antiquary
- Auld Alliance
- Ballantine’s
- Bank Note
- Barker’s
- Baxter’s
- Bell’s
- Ben Nevis
- Berry Bros and Rudo
- Black and white
- Black Bottle
- Buchanan’s
- Bulloch Lade
- Catto
- Catto’s
- Chequers
- Chivas
- Chivas Regal
- Cluny
- Coachbuilt
- Compass Box
- Craig Athol
- Crawford’s
- Cutty Sark
- Dawson’s
- Dewars
- Diageo
- Dimple
- Dunhill
- Famous Grouse
- Findlater’s
- Fleet Street
- Friar John Cor
- Gilbey’s
- Gilmour Thomson’s
- Glamis Castle
- Glass House
- Glen Garry
- Glendrostan
- Glenrosa
- Golden Age
- Golden Heather
- Gordon Highlanders
- Grand Coronation
- Grant’s
- Haig
- Hankey Bannister
- Harrods
- Harveys
- Hazelwood
- Heather Dew
- Hedges and Butler
- House of Peers
- Islay of Mist
- J & B
- J & G Stewart
- J & B
- Johnnie Walker
- John Crabbie
- Johan Dunbar
- Johan O’ Groat’s
- John Walker
- Johnnie Walker
- King William
- King’s Choice
- King’s Ransom
- Knightrider
- Laird O’ Logan
- Lauder’s
- Logan Logan’s
- Long John
- Lord Elcho
- Mackinlay’s
- Macnamara
- Mitchells and Butlers
- Monarchy of the highlands
- Neal’s
- Nomad
- Old court
- Old Parr
- Old Rarity
- Orbital
- Pig’s Nose
- Pinwinnie
- Pinwinnie Roya
- Pure Scot
- Putachieside
- Queen Anne
- Robert Burns
- Royal Household
- Royal Salute
- Sample Room
- Samuel Webster and Sons
- Sanderson’s
- Sandy Macdonald
- Sandy Macnab’s
- Savoy
- Scotland’s Ripe Old Age
- Scots Bard
- Seagram
- Slaintheva
- Smokin’
- Something Special
- Spey Case
- Stewart’s
- TE’ Bheag
- Teacher’s
- That Boutique-Y-Whisky Company
- The Gordon Highlanders
- The Junior
- The Last Drop
- The woodsman
- Thompson Bros
- UAM Var
- Various
- Vat 69
- Watt whisky
- Whisky works
- White Heather
- White horse
- Whyte & Mackay
- WM. Maxwell
- Woven
- Wright & Greigs
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskeys are considered one of the most popular whiskeys all over the globe.
With Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey must fall under certain requirements to be called Irish Whiskey.
The distillation and the maturation process must be carried out in Ireland.
The distillation is carried out in wooden casks for at least three years, and the distillation process must be performed in such a way so that the colour, taste, aroma, and, last but not least, smoothness retains. Irish whiskeys are also fermented with yeast.
The smooth finish of this particular whiskey is due to the different drying process compared to the Scottish whiskey, which gives a smoky finish due to the drying process via peated smoke.
A to z of Irish whiskey brands are
- Ballyhoo
- Bushmills
- Cadenhead’s
- Clonakilty
- Connacht
- Connemara
- Dingle
- Drumshanbo
- Dublin Liberties
- Dubliner
- Dunville’s
- Egan’s
- Fercullen
- Flaming Pig
- Gelston’s
- Glendalough
- Gold Spot
- Green Spot
- Hinch
- Irishman
- Jameson
- JJ Corry
- John Jameson & Son
- Kilbeggan
- Kinahan’s
- Kirker & Greer
- Knappogue Castle
- Lambay
- Mcconell’s
- Method & Madness
- Micil
- Midleton
- Nector of the Daily Drams
- Old Bushmills
- Paddy
- Pogues
- Powers
- Proper No. Twelve
- RedBreast
- Roe & CO
- Sailor’s Home
- Sexton
- ShortCross
- Silkie
- Slane
- Teeling
- The Dead Rabbit
- The Pogues
- The Whisky Agency
- Tullamore
- Tullamore Dew
- Two Stacks
- Tyrconnell
- Various
- Waterford
- West Cork
- Writers Tears
- Yellow Spot
Bourbon
The distillation is being carried out in new charred oak cask barrels and must be aged immediately. The distillation process performed in this particular whiskey production is quite different compared to the rest of the whiskeys, and that’s why the uniqueness of this distillation process gives Bourbon a distinctive taste and brownish colour.
The distillation and the maturation process need to be carried out in the US and its neighbouring territories, as well as in the Columbian district.
Corn is the key component in this American whiskey.
Rye Whiskey
The distillation is carried out in new charred oak cask barrels for at least two years to be called Rye whiskey, and by law, it must be distilled from a mash of 51% rye grain.
Rye and Bourbon whiskeys are quite similar; the difference lies in their distillation process; American Rye whiskey is distilled from a mash of 51% rye grains while on the other hand, while bourbon whiskey doesn’t distil with rye grains. This difference gives both whiskeys distinctive tastes and colours.
Historical background lies in the naming of Canadian whisky as Rye whiskey. Still, people have stopped accepting Canadian whisky as Rye Whiskey because of the usage of 51% Rye Grains in the Rye Whiskey distillation process. In contrast, Canadian whisky doesn’t distil with Rye Grains at all.
A t z of American Whisky Brands are
- American Barrels
- Angel’s Envy
- Antique
- Balcones
- Basil Hayden
- Benchmark
- Bernheim
- Biltmore
- Boondocks
- Boulder
- Buffalo Trace
- Bulleit
- Catoctin Creek
- Cedar Ridge
- Coppersea
- Corsair
- Daddy Rack
- Driftless
- Dumangin
- E H Taylor
- Eagle Rare
- Elijah Craig
- Elmer T Lee
- Evan Williams
- Ezra Brooks
- Few
- Four Roses
- Frey Ranch
- George Dickel
- George T Stagg
- Heaven’s Door
- Henebery
- Henry Mckenna
- High West
- Horse with no name
- I W harper
- J W Dant
- Jack Daniel’s
- James Cree’s
- James E Pepper
- Jeptha Creed
- Jim Beam
- Johny Drum
- Kentucky Old Reserve
- Kentucky Owl
- Kentucky Vintage
- Kings Country
- Knob Creek
- Kopper Kettle
- Koval
- Larcency
- Legent
- Makers Mark
- MB Roland
- MCCARTHY’S
- Medley Bros
- Mellow corn
- Michter’s
- Never Say Die
- New Riff
- New York Distilling
- Noah’s Mill
- Old Bardstown
- Old Fashioned Copper
- Old Fitzgerald
- Old Forester
- Old Madley
- Old Potrero
- Old Williamsburg
- Peerless
- Pennypacker
- Pikesville
- Pine Barrens
- Platte Valley
- Pure Kentucky
- Rabbit Hole
- Rebel
- Reservoir
- RI1
- Rittenhouse
- Rowan’s Creek
- Salder’s
- Sagamore
- Sazerac
- Smooth Ambler
- Sonoma Distilling CO
- ST George
- Templeton
- That Boutique-y Whisky Company
- The Old Oscar Pepper Distillery
- Thomas H Handy
- Tincup
- TX
- Uncle Nearest
- Van Brunt
- W L Weller
- Walker’s
- War Eagle
- Wasmund’s
- Wathen’s
- Westland
- Westward
- Whiskey Thief
- Whistlepig
- Wild Turkey
- Wild Catter
- Wilderness
- Wilderness Trail
- Willett
- Willett’s
- Woodford Reserve
- Wyoming
- Yellow Rose
- Yellowstone
Japanese Whisky
On a commercial scale, Yamazaki was the first Japanese distillery where whisky production started.
Japanese whisky is quite similar to Scottish whisky, but by law, there’s no maturation period allocated hereby in Japan, while in Scotland, the maturation period is three years.
Single malt and blended malt whiskies are in high demand among Japanese people.
In order to be so-called Japanese whisky, the whisky must fall under certain requirements.
Distillation and maturation periods must be carried out in Japan. Japanese whisky also undergoes a fermentation process, and last, but not least, it must be bottled in Japan.
A to z Japanese whisky brands are
- Akashi
- Chichibu
- Chita
- Hakushu
- Hibiki
- Ichiro’s
- Kaiyo
- Karuizawa
- Mars
- Miyagikyo
- Nikka
- Shirakawa
- Shizuoka
- Suntory
- Suntory Hibiki
- The House of Suntory
- Yamazaki
- Yoichi
Canadian Whisky
You may have heard Canadian whisky as Rye Whisky. But do you know why the term Rye is given to this particular whisky?
Don’t know?
No Worry.
Canadian distilleries found great interest of people in their whisky after the addition of highly flavourful Rye to their mashes. When the distilleries owners compared the demand and the supply analysis, they found a huge difference in the demand after the addition of Rye to their mashes and not only this, people started calling Canadian whisky Rye Whisky.
Due to the high percentage of corn spirits, Canadian whisky appeared to be the lightest and the smoothest. Most Canadian whiskies are blended multi-grain liquors.
A to z Canadian whisky brands are
- Alberta Springs
- Bush Pilot’s
- Canadian Club
- Crown Royal
- Forty Creek
- Gooderham & Wort’s
- JP Wisper’s
- LOT 40
- Pike Creek
- Royal Canadian
- Signal Hill
- Stalk and Barrel
Straight and Blended Forms of Whiskey/Whisky
Whiskies (Whiskeys) are further categorized into straight and blended forms; both forms differentiate themselves based on flavour.
Straight as the name suggests, it contains only single malt as grains.
While on the other hand, blended is a blend of two or more whiskies (whiskeys), like single malt and grain whisky (Whiskey), altogether form a blend.
The plural forms of the term whisky and whiskey are quite different; American and Irish people use Whiskeys as the plural form of the term whiskey, while Canadian, Scottish and Japanese people use whiskies as a plural form of the term whisky.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude what we have found so far.
People from different Geographic use different terms.
The distillation process isn’t the same for every country; that’s why they are named differently.
Historical background also contributes to some extent to why they are named differently.