Whisky

If you enjoy lighter, fresher whisky, look for bottles with citrus, orchard fruit, floral or gently malty flavours. For something richer, whiskies matured in sherry casks can offer dried fruit, spice, chocolate and nutty character. Peated whisky brings smoke into the picture, ranging from a gentle wisp to the powerful maritime, medicinal character associated with some Islay malts. Cask type, maturation and distillery character all matter, so tasting across different styles is often the best way to discover what you enjoy.

Single malt whisky is made from malted barley at a single distillery, while blended malt combines malt whiskies from more than one distillery. Grain whisky can be made using other cereals and is an important component of blended Scotch, which combines malt and grain whiskies. Bourbon is an American whiskey made from a mash containing at least 51% corn, while rye whiskey places greater emphasis on rye. These categories describe how a whisky is made rather than how good it is.

Yes, although origin is only part of the story. Scotland alone produces an enormous range of styles, from elegant Speyside malts to powerful peated whiskies from Islay. Japan has developed its own highly regarded whisky tradition, while excellent bottles are now produced in England, India, Taiwan, Australia and beyond. Climate, ingredients, casks and individual distillery character can ultimately matter as much as the country on the label.