Whisky must be your favorite drink if you are reading this article, or maybe you are looking for a reason to start exploring it, right? According to the recent MarketWatch study, most millennials are shifting to whisky because of its unique taste and chill.
When it comes to your choice of favorite whisky, there are many varieties you can opt for in the flooded market. You can go for Japanese, Scottish, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Canadian whisky. Each whisky brand comes with its signature taste and proof, but what remains intact is the cool kick and chill a bottle of whisky leaves you with when you go for a shot.
The whisky market is doing better because of the increasing demand for the drinks. If you are looking forward to exploring the market or maybe choose one drink to spice up your day, you can begin here. We list some of the best whisky drinks you can try this weekend for some amazing whisky cocktail experience.
A Glimpse of Whisky
If you love to drink, then you’ll agree that the most important aspect of a brand is the ingredient used in the drink. Most whiskies are made of fermented grain mash, but some distillers may use corn and leave the drink to mature on wooden barrels.
Actually, the taste of your favorite whisky depends on how long it’s been kept in the barrel. Therefore, you want to consider your favorite whiskey’s aging process if you want the best experience when drinking.
Here are some common types of whiskies you should know before shopping for a drink this weekend.
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is one of the best whiskies you can grab from the counter. The Scotch Whisky Regulation (SWR) outlines the basic standards for a bottle of Scotch whisky as follows:
- It must originate from Scotland and made of malted barley and water.
- It should use whole grains and some additional grains as the basic raw material.
- The grains should be fermented by adding yeast only.
- The spirit must be distilled above 190 proof and left to mature for at least three years.
- Only plain caramel and water can be added to the drink.
There are five basic types of Scotch whisky you can shop for. They include single malt, single grain, blended scotch, blended grain, and blended malt. Some of the most common types of scotch whiskies in the market include Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, and Chivas Regal. At least 90% of Scotch whisky in the market is blended whisky.
Irish Whisky
This is a type of whisky that originates from Ireland or Northern Ireland. It comes with a unique taste, and according to the Distilled Spirits Council, it is one of the fastest-growing whiskies in the world. Some old-fashioned Irish whiskies like Bushmills and Jameson will still give you the original taste of whisky. There are different varieties of Irish whiskies you can shop for a great experience. It all begins by choosing your favorite brand or trying different shots until you land on your ‘killer’ brand.
Bourbon whisky
The best bourbons come from Kentucky if what CNBC reports say is anything to go by. At least 95% of the best bourbons are made in Kentucky. That means your favorite whisky should be one with a Kentucky Bourbon label on it.
The bourbon taste is better than scotch and Irish whiskies, and that’s why most beginners would go for it. If you have the appetite for sweet drinks, you can take multiple bourbon shots and get high in the shortest time.
Tennessee whisky
The United States has something great to smile about- it’s the famous Tennessee whisky produced straight from Tennessee’s state. Some of the top Tennessee whiskies you can find in the liqueur market include the popular Uncle Nearest 1865 (100 proof), Collier and McKeel, and Corsair Ryemageddon Whiskey.
Canadian Whisky
Canadian whisky is, by far, the most liked mixing whisky in the market. If you love whisky with a taste of coffee and vanilla beans, you shouldn’t mind shopping for this type of whiskies. The whisky comes in a lighter and mellower flavor than most types of whiskies you know. It is the perfect selection for a mixed whisky.
5 best Brands of Whisky You Can Try
Now that you know where the best whiskies come from, it shouldn’t take you much time choosing your best bottle when it’s time to party. Here are some of the best whisky brands, your bartender will suggest if you want the best experience with a drink.
1. Jack Daniel’s 150th Anniversary
The best whisky probably comes from the U.S state of Tennessee, and this unique Jack Daniel’s brand says it all. This is one of the most popular Tennessee whiskies you will find in the market. Most people like it for its original taste that leaves you asking for more shots.
This brand was released in the market to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Jack Daniel’s brand. This means it has a premium taste of the brand – what you may be looking for in your favorite whisky. It is made of rye, barley, and corn marsh and filtered through sugar maple charcoal.
2. Rich & Rare
Rich & Rare is among the best Canadian whiskies you can shop around. It offers you the unique Sazerac cocktail flavor in every shot, making you fall in love with whisky. This popular whisky is an affordable brand you can get when you are on a tight budget and you still need to party.
3. Woodford Reserve
This is a bourbon whisky you’ll be happy to have on the table when the party begins. It makes the list of the best bourbon whiskies for its unique taste, price, and design.
The distiller is a reputable brand in the industry, and most people would definitely like their products. This bourbon whisky comes with an aroma of pepper, sweet grain, and spicy wood. It’s unique in a way, and most people like it for the cool chill and kick it leaves you with after a shot.
4. Dewar’s Scotch Whisky
With over a century in the liqueur industry, Dewar’s Scotch whisky is a brand you can trust. When you think about Scotch whiskies in the market to buy, Dewar’s should come in your mind because of its unique taste. It is known today for its white-label blend and the many years it’s been around.
5. Bulleit Bourbon Whisky
Our list of the best five whiskies ends here, with the most sought bourbon in the market, Bulleit Bourbon Whisky. This whisky brand continues to please most people because of its rich, unique taste, and 90 proof. It has a long history dating back to the 1830s, and you can trust the current owner, Thomas Bulleit, for some quality in every shot you take.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot you probably don’t know about whisky. The best whisky is not that expensive but comes with the ideal taste and quality of corn, rye, and barley. When shopping for the best whisky drinks, you should keep the price in mind and the reason for buying the bottle. Most high-end whiskies are costly and best reserved for special guests.
Bargain whisky bottles are the best for cooking, and mid-range bottles fit well for making cocktails. If you are looking for the best flavor in whisky, you should not mind shopping for some Canadian, Tennessee, and Scotch whisky. It takes time to get your ideal whiskey brand, but you don’t want to walk further than Kentucky Bourbons; they are the best you can have in a bottle of whisky.
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