We’ve been waiting and it’s finally upon us! The Whisky Magazine Awards will be presenting the World’s Best Whiskies, Icons of Whisky and Hall of Fame this coming Thursday, March 28th 2019.
World Whiskies Awards grades whiskies in the following categories:
Blended: Most people will tell you this means at least two or more whiskies from two or more distilleries mixed together, but it’s more complex then this. As The Whisky Wash explains, a blended whisky varies depending on which country you’re in because law dictates what constitutes a blended whisky. Their article describes a blended whisky, generally speaking, as a whisky that contains 20% straight whisky (made with yeast, water, and grain), and 80% neutral grain spirits, such as vodka, or other whiskies. So, in other words, a blended whisky in some countries can be quite varied. The Whisky Wash goes on to describe that in Scotland in order to make a blended whisky, as expected, these distilleries must use Scotch as their exclusive ingredient; this can be in whatever ratio the Master Distiller deems fit.
Canadian Blended: This is far to complex to distill into a few short words; it is worthy of its own blog post and so it shall have one. Suffice to say it is whisky produced and blended in Canada, and believe me when I say that has an extensively broad meaning. Stay tuned. This will be an interesting blog post.
Blended Limited Release: This would be a blended whisky that is released in limited quantity thus making it special on the market, a more coveted blend.
Blended Malt: A combination of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies. Unlike blends, no grain whisky is allowed within the blend.
Single Malt: A malt whisky from 100% barley from a single distillery that is distilled in a copper still.
Grain: Whisky made from a mix of cereal grains that’s distilled in a continuous still.
Corn: A whiskey that was distilled from a fermented mash that was composed of not less than 80% corn grain.
Flavoured Whisky: Whisky with flavour added to it. Would you like to try making some of your own flavoured whisky? See reference 5.
New Make: Colourless whisky taken from the still. Multiple factors affect the flavour profile of the spirit. See reference 6.
Pot Still: Native to Ireland, it is whiskey that must be made in a Pot Still, which is a type of copper still that distils in batches. It is made of both malted and unmalted barley, which gives it a spicy flavour profile.
Rye: Whisky that is either American and distilled from 51% rye, or Canadian and may or may not actually contain rye product.
Single Cask Single Malt: A single malt whisky that was bottled in numbered bottles taken from one cask only.
Tennessee: Distilled from 51% corn, what differentiates it from bourbon is that the spirit is charcoal filtered before being poured into a barrel to mature.
Wheat: A whisky that is distilled from 51% wheat
References
1. https://thewhiskeywash.com/lifestyle/what-is-blended-whiskey/
2. https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/309/blended-malt-scotch-whisky
3. http://www.lawgill.com/legal-and-practical-elements-of-the-9-09-canadian-whisky-blending-rule/
4. https://vinepair.com/articles/grain-scotch-whisky/
5. https://redheadoakbarrels.com/whiskey-flavors-flavor-whiskey/
6. https://www.smws.com/blog/unfiltered/knowledge-new-make-spirit/
LIKE and follow us on Facebook for even more news and updates:
Women's Whisky World 