Whisky which originates from Ireland and Scotland; (Bourbon and Rye are the US versions of Whisky). Whisky is a distilled spirit of around 40% alcohol by volume, which is made from a variety of fermented grains such as barley, corn, rye and wheat; these grains are sometimes malted but they must always be aged in wooden casks (normally made from white oak). Whisky is traditionally distilled in copper stills in order to remove the sulphur-based compounds, which can render it bitter to the taste.
As Whiskies do not mature in the bottle, the age of a whisky is solely measured by the length of time between its distillation and its bottling. In its youth, Whiskey was not permitted to age and was therefore a much harsher spirit, barely resembling the smooth drink, which we all know, and love today. Whiskey is normally drank neat in a Whiskey tumbler but it can be drank with cold water or ice.
According to written records, the earliest production of Whiskey is recorded in Ireland in 1405 cited in the Annals of Clonmacnoise; the first record of Whiskey in Scotland is cited almost 90 years later in 1494. The Old Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licenced distillery in the world; it was established in 1608 and is situated in Northern Ireland.
