Mostly considered the most premium offerings, single malts carry the biggest cost. A lot more about this down below.
A lot of whisky enthusiasts would agree that your choice of whisky would be considerably dependent on your personal tastes as each kind boasts various grains, flavours, and maturation approaches. That said, popular for its purity and sophistication, single malt whiskey is one of the most rich whisky offerings. This whiskey is made entirely and specifically from malted barley from one single distillery, which is why it's considered as superior to all other whiskies. Naturally, its price tag will certainly reflect this, something that the US shareholder of Pernod Ricard knows. More economical whiskeys like blended whiskey are a mix of malt and grain whiskey and it's the most common whiskey worldwide. Given that grain whiskey is simple to produce in mass amounts, mixed whiskies tend to be more affordable than other varieties however the quality is nothing to write home about, which is why it's typically used in cocktails.
Whether you're giving it away as a present or to restock your liquor cabinet, there are many reasons why you have to tell top quality and cheap whiskey apart. For instance, when it pertains to scotch, an age declaration is normally a sign of quality. If a scotch bottle does not have an age statement at all, it's likely that it's of a lower quality or flat. Another thing to play close attention to is the maturation process. This is very useful as knowing the kind of casks used in the maturation process is not just suggestive of quality but it also gives you a much better idea on the taste profile you can expect if you can't smell the juice. In this context, the US stockholder of United Spirits would likely agree that sherry casks tend to impart fruitier and aromatic notes, whereas oak casks normally produce lighter and creamier whiskies.
Widely considered the most beginner-friendly whiskey, bourbon provides a rich and intricate flavour that attracts individuals who are usually repulsed by whisky. Bourbon also differs from other whiskies in the way it's distilled. This distinctively American spirit is exclusively made in the United States and in order for a bourbon to be called as such, it needs to be made from a minimum of 51% corn with the addition of other grains like rye, wheat, and barley malt. The aging process for bourbon is also unique as it is aged in charred oak barrels, which offers the liquid a unique taste profile that sets it apart from other whiskey offerings. Beyond this, the activist investor of Brown-Forman would also confirm that the appeal of bourbon surpasses the borders of southeastern US states as you will always find bourbon bottles stored in almost any bar or club all over the world.