Did you know that, technically, whiskey begins its life as a beer? Before the aging process, whiskey liquor begins as water, yeasts, and malts. While there are so many different factors that contribute to the creation of varying whiskeys, one thing can be said is that whiskey is a timeless, classic style of liquor!
From spiced bourbons and rye to sweet Irish whiskeys, there are various differences between American and Irish whiskey beyond just their locations of origin. Here at Brindiamo Group, we've put together a comprehensive list of the main distinctions between these two styles of whiskey. To help you make informed decisions when purchasing liquor, continue reading.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between Irish whiskey and American whiskey:
American or Regular Whiskey
Irish Whiskey
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In order to be classified as American or regular whiskey, these drinks must be distilled from a fermented mash of cereal grain and manufactured within the United States. American whiskies typically consist of mashes containing at least 51% of their specified grains.
Considering this, whiskey has the potential to be crafted using a diverse range of flavoring techniques, distillation methods, and aging processes, setting it apart from other spirits and liquors. American distilled whiskey typically falls into five main categories.
These tend to include:
Bourbon
Rye
Rye Malt
Standard Malt
Wheat Whiskey
Tennessee Whiskey
Additionally, American Whiskey types offer a variety of blends, each with unique tastes influenced by the different types of barrels used during the aging process. To delve deeper into the specifics of crafting American whiskey, let's explore the regulations for both bourbon and rye production.
While Kentucky is often associated with its famous Bourbon Trail, it's important to note that bourbon whiskey can actually be produced anywhere in the United States.
In order for a whiskey to be considered bourbon, it must meet all of the following requirements:
Distilled in the United States
Made from a 51% corn grain mixture
Aged in new, charred oak barrels
Mash must be distilled to no more than 160 proof or less
Distillate must be stored in charred new oak barrels at no more than 125 proof or less
Bottled at only 80 proof or more
These are the two main factors that enhance the taste of bourbon. As it ages, the charred oak barrels impart color and unique flavors to the bourbon by interacting with the corn in the mashbill. Notably, bourbon stands out as the only type of American whiskey that must undergo aging in new barrels.
American rye adheres to the same legal requirements as bourbon and other American whiskies. With its roots in grass grain, closely related to wheat, this type of whiskey offers a drier, spicier flavor profile.
While traditional whiskeys typically have a mash bill of around 70% corn, it's not uncommon to come across rye whiskies with a mash bill of 90% rye or more. This variety in distilling processes allows American whiskies to offer a diverse range of flavor profiles, all while adhering to the fundamental distillation guidelines for classification as American Whiskey.
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When it comes to the origin of the term whiskey, we can trace it back all the way to the Gaelic term Uisce Beatha, meaning “water of life”.
Much like its American child liquor, Irish whiskey requires distilling stipulations such as:
Must be distilled and aged in Ireland
Aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of 3 years
Distilled to 89.6 proof
Bottled at no less than 80 proof
Additionally, there are industry best practices that are not mandated by law when it comes to distilling Irish whiskey. Typically, malted barley is used for the mash in Irish whiskey production, and it is commonly distilled three times. Known for its smooth and distinct flavor profile, Irish whiskeys are often noted for being "light" and "fruity" in comparison to American counterparts.
Irish whiskey is often enjoyed neat, while American whiskies are commonly used in cocktails. However, personal preference plays a significant role when it comes to enjoying alcohol. Despite the differences between Irish and American whiskies extending beyond their origins, both distilling processes create classic and distinct flavors in whiskey.
At Brindiamo Group, each one of our team members comes from an entrepreneurial background, and have lifetimes of experience solving distillery problems. Logistics and sourcing are major challenges for any product-driven business and those operating in the adult beverage industry are no exception.
No one understands this better than us. Each member of our team has a background in entrepreneurship and a wealth of experience in solving these challenges. Why spend valuable time and energy on sourcing when we can quickly connect you with one of our trusted industry partners in just a few hours?
At Brindiamo Group, we are delighted to offer a wide range of sourcing solutions for our clients. We understand that locating alcohol distillers for your startup can be a daunting task at first.
Visit the Brindiamo Group to see how we can help you today.