What good whiskey to buy. How to choose the right whiskey for tasting and as a gift. Where is the best whiskey made?

Miracle alcohol

Whiskey is a drink that has a variety of varieties and tastes. To consider all that only exist, it will take a very long time. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to the most famous ones in order to decide which whiskey is good. A quality drink can have a beneficial effect on the human body, but if consumed in moderation. Thanks to this alcohol, creative abilities are stimulated, efficiency, concentration increase, and it also gives tone. This phenomenon is explained by the essential oils and tannins that are part of it. However, if you use this drink in too large portions, then after 6-12 hours you may experience discomfort.

This drink is divided into three main groups: blended, malt and single malt. Which whiskey is a good one? Last. Malt has a slightly worse quality, since distillates are mixed during its manufacture, this leads to the fact that the structure of the essential oil complex changes, and it determines beneficial features drink. In the process of making blended whiskey, ready-made drinks are mixed, and not their distillers. Because of this, the subtle harmony and individuality of whiskey is violated. However, there are blends that deserve attention, even if they are few.

Aroma and taste

What is a good whiskey? One with individual characteristics. These features depend both on the technology of making the drink and on the region where it is prepared. There are significant differences between the Irish and Scottish varieties. The reason is that the latter are distilled twice and the former three. Which whiskey is the best of the two? Everyone will judge, because everything depends on taste. I would like to note that the Irish are characterized by a “creamy” taste.

It is worth noting certain varieties of this drink. They really deserve attention. For single malts, Caol Ila is worth a try. good drink with a smoky flavor. What is the best whiskey among malts is Bushmills Malt. Whiskey made in Ireland, with a peculiar mild flavor and a pronounced hint of cream. I would like to touch on the topic of blended whiskey. Among them, it is better to give preference to "Jameson", "Tullamore Dew" (Ireland), and "Chivas Regal" (Scotland).

Birthplace of the drink

There has been a long debate about where whiskey came from. Many countries claim to be the birthplace of this drink: America, Scotland and Ireland, Japan and many others.

It lies in the ingredients and proportions. Thanks to them, a unique taste is created. They are different. Malt and barley are a sign of a Scottish drink, if rye is added - this is already Ireland, corn with wheat is the work of America, and rice is a Japanese additive. And this is not the whole list of products used. Every person who knows at least half of this list will have a very popular and logical question: "What is the best whiskey?" It is impossible to give an exact answer, again, everyone has their own taste for alcohol. However, something is worth noting in general - the whiskey that has 50-60 revolutions and a minimum of ingredients is the best.

07.04.2014 / 421

Whiskey. This drink is a real cultural dominant of Western civilization, especially the Anglo-Saxon part of it, which has now largely won the status of the number one global strong drink.

This happened largely due to the fact that whiskey is a truly worthy “strong man” in all respects. But don't dismiss the whiskey marketing myth as a required attribute Western alcohol culture, which has allowed through many powerful brands to implant in the mind of the consumer a love for the ancient Celtic drink on all continents.

A brief excursion into history

The word “whiskey” itself is a tracing paper from the Celtic language uisce beatha / uisge beatha (in transcription it sounds like “uishke beyatha” and literally means “water of life” - tracing paper from the Latin expression aqua vitae.

It is believed that the art of distilling low-alcohol mash was brought to Scotland by Christian missionaries, who, in the conditions of the British Isles, had to replace grapes with barley. Having passed the chain uisge - uisce - fuisce - uiskie, as well as a number of technological and taste improvements, and finally becoming whiskey, the drink began to subjugate the tastes of the local population.

However, the copyright for the invention immediately began to challenge the Irish. According to them, a similar process on the Emerald Isle was launched by St. Patrick, who took up distilling immediately after the completion of the baptism of pagan Ireland.

Both peoples subsequently made a significant contribution to the development of the drink: the Irishman Enes Coffey significantly improved the distillation still in 1830, while the very first such installation was built by the Scot Robert Stein.

It was their joint work that caused a revolution in production in the second half of the 19th century - distilleries were able to significantly increase production volumes, it became possible to talk about the emergence of a new industry in the structure of the British and Irish economy.

It was then that the first large companies specializing in this segment appeared, and used the huge space for creativity provided by new technologies for the production of whiskey family drinks, regional traditions and a variety of ingredients.

It was then that the first experiments began on blending different brands of cask whiskey to create unique aromas and tastes.

But, like any technological revolution, the process also had a downside - the word “whiskey” was legally allowed to call young, three-year-old spirits, and manufacturers began to replace barley with wheat and corn to reduce costs, adding malt varieties “for taste”.

It is these processes that have led to the abundance of varieties, brands and brands that today make up a real galaxy of whiskey.

Whiskey happens...

In modern English, you can find two spellings of the word whiskey - what is produced in Scotland, Canada and Japan is usually referred to as whiskey.

Drinks from Ireland or America are most often referred to as whiskey. The addition of "e" occurred at the end of the 19th century to highlight their products - that is, a pure marketing move that does not tell us anything about the taste and quality of the product.

The standard strength of whiskey varies in the range of 40-50%, but no one limits the scope for creativity of the creators of drinks, so you can also find varieties with a strength of 60%.

First of all, whiskey is malt (malt) - the drink is obtained from pure barley malt and aged without mixing with other types of whiskey, such as grain.

The most ideologically pure whiskey of this type is single malt whiskey produced by one distillery, sometimes different years of aging of the same variety are mixed. This is, in fact, the gold standard of whiskey, the original.

Single malt whiskeys are a gourmet delight, offering a huge selection of original flavors, many of which will only be appreciated by people with very specific tastes. At the same time, single malts contain a rich layer of interesting drinks that can give a lot of pleasant moments to the taste buds of a connoisseur.

This is the real soul of Scotland, drinks that require a thoughtful attitude to consumption, savoring either in the company of trusted people who will not distract from the process, or even alone.

The most famous brands are Laphroaig, Maccalan, Glenfiddich, Isle of Jura, Tallisker, Highland and many others, which are presented in abundance on the shelves of numerous Irish and English pubs and bars, as well as in alcohol supermarkets in Russia.

Single malt whiskeys tend to be the most expensive drinks compared to other whiskey classes. The production of many single malts is a small business, at least compared to the well-established brands of widely used and more easily understood blended varieties - less capacity, modest production volumes, longer production cycles: all this, in sum, is the reason that good single malt whiskey starts cost from 1500 rubles per bottle, and there are no limits to this indicator at all.

There is a class of collectible single malts of very long aging, but it is extremely difficult to find them in bars and shops - these are gift drinks for very wealthy citizens.
One of the varieties of single malt drinks is single cask whiskey. Single cask malt whiskey, unmixed. That is, how they poured it, how they left it for aging, they also opened it and bottled it, without adding anything and without changing anything.

There is quarter cask whiskey - the same single cask malt whiskey, but from a smaller cask, usually stronger (up to 50% - the so-called cask strength - cask strength, which also indicates the originality of the drink and the absence of attacks on its integrity).

Malt whiskey is also mixed - blended malt, which is a mixture of malt whiskey from various distilleries. By and large, this is the same single malt - at least for the taste. Only very great connoisseurs and deep experts in the subject area will be able to distinguish mixed "molts" from the originals.

This technology allows you to get original tastes, combine the best from several varieties of single malt drinks in one bottle.

In general, the place where whiskey is made should be given the closest attention - for example, varieties made on Islay Island are historically strikingly different from most other varieties.

A lot of smuggled whiskey was driven on the islands, and to speed up the production process, barley was dried in the smoke from burning peat, the taste of the finished drink received, firstly, notes of smoke, a signature "smoked taste", as well as marine, bright iodine aromas that cannot be confused with with what. This is a purely Scottish "chip" not used in Ireland. Malt for Irish whiskey is dried in ovens, and the drink itself passes through a triple distillation - the necessary softness is reported, which is not characteristic of most Scottish single molts.

In general, single malts in Scotland are divided by region into Highland Single Malts, Speyside Single Malts, the mentioned Islay Single Malts, Lowland Single Malts and Campbeltown Single Malts.

Next in the classification is grain whiskey - this is the so-called "technical" whiskey: not to be confused with technical alcohol. The term only means the fact that the drink is almost never used in its pure form for sale, but is produced for further blending purposes.

If you try, you can find single grain whiskey on sale - pure grain whiskey by analogy with single malt, but the task is not easy due to the specificity of the drink (almost complete absence of smell and pronounced taste characteristic of classic whiskey). It must be understood that under grain (grain) we mean the same grains of malt, just not germinated, as in the case of the classics.

There are only four bottled pure grain whiskeys in Scotland: Glen Wolf, Black Barrel, Glen Clyde and Invergordon.

Blended whiskey - blended or blended whiskey. The most popular and common type of whiskey in the world. According to various estimates, today it accounts for up to 90% of world production. Not to be confused with the blended malt described above - blended whiskey varieties include different spirits - malt, grain, wheat, rye - while blended malt is always a mixture of only malt spirits.

It is with the varieties of blended whiskey that the inexperienced consumer masses associate the very concept of “whiskey”, it is the blend that fills supermarket shelves at an affordable price tag and misleads many alcohol lovers about the entire realm of whiskey. “I drank this whiskey of yours, rare rubbish,” says the average consumer in the Russian Federation, who has tried some cheap “compote” of young spirits worth 499 rubles per bottle of 0.7 liters.

Brands John Dewar's, Johnnie Walker, Jameson, White Horse, Famous Grouse and many, many others ("thousands of them") are the brightest representatives of this class, sometimes also called "table" or "consumer whiskey" (something like "house wine "- an affordable, high-quality drink without frills).

However, a certain gradation also exists inside blended whiskey - brands such as Red Breast or Chivas Regal are distinguished by a high content of high-quality long-aged malt spirits in their composition, which causes a very high level drink quality and price. The addition "Deluxe" (Deluxe) can be added to the name of such varieties.

The same Johnny Walker varies from Red Label, a very modest drink by the standards of connoisseurs, to quite high-quality by the standards of the same connoisseurs Green, Gold, Blue or Platinum Label - extremely expensive and tasty whiskey.

As a rule, in the production of blended whiskey in modern conditions, traditional technology, aging time and many other nuances of the work of old distilleries are violated - the drinks are impersonal, standardized and indistinguishable from one another, but otherwise the volumes of world demand cannot be satisfied.

Finally, bourbon is an American corn whiskey produced using a special technology (aging in oak barrels charred from the inside). Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Jack Daniels and numerous Canadian varieties. An honest drink for adequate money, but not as refined as the Old World varieties, and in the UK or Ireland it is not considered whiskey.

The other two most important characteristics of a drink are the aging time and, given what has been said about the prevalence of blended whiskey, the actual blending process.

Excerpt

The whiskey is aged in oak barrels. Ideally, in sherry casks.

If there are none (and today it simply physically cannot be enough for everyone), then they are kept in containers made of American white oak, where bourbon was previously contained, or they are simply treated with sherry. The barrel is the most important factor in the maturation of the future whiskey: in it it gains strength and gets that very recognizable taste and bouquet of aromas.

By law, Scotch whiskey must be aged for at least 3 years. This is the minimum period after which the malt distillate, after two or three distillations, gets the right to be called the proud word - whiskey.

As a rule, such "youngsters" go to the needs of blending, after which the cheapest temporal brands are born, which are consumed with pleasure as part of cocktails a la "whiskey and cola", or sold under the "three bottles for the price of two" promotion. for 500 rubles and so on.

What goes into the creation of high-quality and elite varieties - single malt whiskeys, are aged for at least 10 years. Classic - 10-12 years of exposure, and then up to 21 years. These are already exclusive varieties, and if we talk about exotic, you can also find 30-50 year old brands.

In other parts of the world, everything is simpler: good "Ireland" is aged on average 5 years, "Canada" - at least 6 years, of course, there are exceptions (12-year-old Jameson, for example).
After the aging is over, it is either time to bottle it for sale or to blend it into new varieties through blending.

Different types of blended whiskeys can mix different types of malt (from 15 to 50 varieties) and grain (3-4) whiskeys of different aging periods (again, at least 3 years).

After obtaining the necessary mixture, it is time to age the whiskey again - but here we are no longer talking about years, a period of several weeks to several months of aging is enough.

The point of blending is to use cheap grain whiskeys, get a standard quality product and combine the best properties of different malt whiskeys in one finished drink.

Old Vatted Glenlivet was developed by Andrew Usher in 1853 as the first blended whiskey in the world.

There are two types of blending: different varieties of malt and grain whiskey are mixed in special vessels, where they are kept for 24 hours. This mixture is then placed in barrels and bottled after a few weeks. In this way, cheap whiskey is obtained (the same one that is widely known thanks to the Famous Grouse, Johnny Walker Red Label, White Horse and others).

Another approach - blended mixtures are aged for 6-8 months in oak barrels. This period is called the "wedding". In this way, more expensive high-quality blended whiskey (Chivas Regal, RedBreast) is produced.

In fact, brands

10. Ballantine's- a very common brand of Scotch whiskey, under which 7 different varieties are sold - Finest, Limited, 12 year old, 17 year old, 21 year old, 30 and 40 years old. In principle, within the line of this brand, you can explore all the main varieties, from simple blended whiskey to collectible 21-40 year old single molts. The basis of the ingredients is a bank of 50 singlemolt spirits, four grain varieties. The brand is widely known for its sponsorship of sports competitions.

9 Imperial Blue- Whiskey, produced in India by the same company that makes Ballantine's, is one of the most popular among an audience with an average monthly income. Very little malt spirits are used in the preparation, the base is molasses.

8. Jack Daniel's is the best-selling American bourbon in the world. Frank Sinatra is buried with a bottle of this drink. Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is the most popular type of this bourbon, although the manufacturer tries to distance itself from this class, claiming that the drink is filtered through a maple wood charcoal filter, which distinguishes it from other bourbons and makes it closer to a traditional whiskey.

7. Original Choice is another Indian brand. Despite being common within Indian borders, it is a premium product aged in real American oak barrels.

6. Old Tavern- another "Indian". A very soft drink at an extremely affordable price.

5. Royal Stag. And again, an Indian drink from Pernod Ricard (Imperial Blue and Ballantine's). This is a blended variety of Scottish malt spirits and local material - molasses.
The taste is completely atypical for whiskey, but that is why it is popular both at home and abroad.

4. Bagpiper. Yes Yes. India again. Exported to 10 countries, the official drink of Bollywood..

3. McDowell's No.1– whiskey with the aroma of vanilla wood, opens with the addition of a few drops of water. The most popular drink in the Middle East.

2. Officer's Choice. Another and last representative of India, not much different from his fellow tribesmen.

1 Johnnie Walker, sold everywhere a man has set foot, even in the distant Central African powers. 18 million boxes in 2012 speak volumes (a box is a measure of the sales volume of strong alcohol, 9 liters).

The Green Label blend won three gold medals in the World Spirits Competition between 2005 and 2007, an excellent whiskey that offers everything from the simplest "canteen" to the finest varieties.

As we can see, there are only a couple of scotchs in the ranking, with a complete absence of Irish whiskey and exquisite single molts from Scotland. The vast majority of the drinks presented in the rating are sold in the markets of India, China, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as in Eastern Europe.

If we are talking about countries with an established national culture of whiskey consumption, the picture will be completely different - in the USA Jack Daniels takes the confident first place, in Scotland - Glenfiddich, in Ireland - Jameson.

And if you do not take into account Indian whiskey, but look at sales of only Scottish brands, then for obvious reasons, the already mentioned Johhny Walker and Ballantines will be among the leaders, in third place - Chivas Regal, J&B Rare, Grant's, Famous Grouse, Dewar's, William Lawson's, Label 5, and finally Bell's.

While many of these brands have sometimes excellent classic-aged single malts in their ranges, low-key blended brands also provide the bulk of Scotch sales. The same is true for Irish whiskey.

These are market realities determined by the culture of drinking: people want to consume simply, without ceremony: poured, drank, or poured, diluted with cola, drank. And for this, fine whiskey is not required, it is only necessary that the drink correspond to average ideas and expectations in terms of taste and strength.

Actually, this is where the brand dividing line is - if the consumer wants something in the style of a party, to drink quickly and have the main effect of achieving a quick alcohol intoxication - these are brands in the same category. As a rule, inexpensive (or slightly above average) lens hoods solve the problem in one or two.

If a person appreciates the process of exploring tastes, bouquets, relishes the drink in accordance with the culture of consumption, then completely different brands are needed that satisfy the high gourmet aspirations of the individual.

Whiskey a la Russe

In Russia, relations with whiskey are their own, special. Every year it is drunk more and more - and every year the proportion of counterfeit products increases in a growing volume.
Now its share is about 30% (data from the Center for Research on Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets (CIFRRA)).

The Synovate Comcon research center found that in 2012, 9.8% of Russians over 18 years of age consumed whiskey. For comparison: in 2000 - 1%, in 2006 - 3.1%.
According to the National Alcohol Policy Development Center, the most counterfeited whiskey brands in Russia are Johnnie Walker: Red Label and Black Label, as well as Jack Daniels. A bottle, which in the original costs 1-2 thousand rubles, can be reduced in price to only 200-500.

Actually, this is all you need to know about whiskey in Russia: what is popular is counterfeited. In the mass consciousness, there is still no knowledge of what whiskey can be and how it is drunk - for the vast majority of compatriots, this is the same drink as vodka, which must be drunk in one gulp, or mixed with a sweet carbonated drink a la Cuba Libre.

On the other hand, among economically successful people, the culture of whiskey consumption is undoubtedly developing - in the premium alcohol segment, whiskey confidently outperforms expensive vodkas.

Bars and pubs are developing, in the lines of which you can find varieties for every taste and color - from pure Black Beast cocktail whiskey (it is difficult to drink it in its pure form) to exquisite Laphroaig Quarter Cask 10 year or Ardberg 10 year.

In a large number of cases, the staff of the establishments are well versed in the types and varieties of whiskey, they will tell you where to start acquaintance, and give advice on proper consumption.

True, there is no need to talk about the displacement of vodka yet - the total consumption of whiskey, rum, tequila, gin in the Russian Federation is insignificant against the background of the consumption of vodka, which is drunk about 1 billion liters a year.

So, it’s difficult and simple to understand the hosts of brands at the same time. It is unrealistic to learn them all - only about 2,500 types of scotch tapes are sold in the world (!!!).

You are determined with a purpose. If this is a feast, a holiday and an entertaining evening format, then take simple, understandable blends / blends. As we have already indicated, there are a great many of them, and in their mass they are quite similar, both in terms of characteristics and price.

Irish whiskey varieties Bushmills Original, Feckin, Finian's, Jameson, Kilbeggan, Merry's, Power and Son, Tullamore Dew, Paddy, as well as Scottish blends Ballantines Finest, Cutty Sark, Dewars White, Grant's 8 do an excellent job. year, J&B, Lauder's, Chivas 12 year, Famous Grouse 12 year, Highland Harvest Organic, Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Bourbons of similar flight height - Gentleman Jack, George Dickel No. 12 Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Black Label, George Dickel Special Barrel, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Ancient Age, Benchmark, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Early Times, Jim Beam White, Ten High, Wild Turkey 101, Baker's 7 year, Basil Hayden's, Blanton's Single Barrel, Bulleit, Four Rose's Single Barrel, Jim Beam Black, Knob Creek Small Batch, Maker's Mark, Old Rip VanWinkle 15 year and Woodford Reserve.

Canadian varieties - Canadian Club Classic 12 year, Canadian Mist, Black Velvet, Forty Creek Barrel Select, Mountain Rock, Pendelton, Windsor Canadian, 8 Seconds, Canadian Club Sherry Cask 8 year, Crown Royal, Forty Creek Three Grain, Tangle Ridge Double Cask .

All this is an honest "canteen": that is, a good, smooth table whiskey / bourbon, for which it is not a pity to give even more money than they ask. It is also not at all shameful to pour cola into it and add ice and citrus fruits. Get a quality Cuba Libre or Old Fashioned and get drunk fast.

Further, there are more elegant drinks - Bushmills Black Bush, Clontarf Single Malt, Jameson 1780, Michael Collins Single Malt, The Irishman The Original Clan, Tullamore Dew 12 year, Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt, Greenore Single Grain, Jameson 18 year, Red Breast 12 year, The Tyrconnell 10 year Single Malt.

Fine whiskeys that are not ashamed to put on the table on an anniversary, wedding or other solemn occasion.

Bushmills 1608, Bushmills 21 year, Middleton Very Rare, Jameson Rarest Vintage, Ambassador 25 year, Buchanan's 18 year, Johnnie Walker Green, Tomintoul Oloroso 12 year, Chivas 18 year, Compass Box Hedonism, Wild Scotsman, Ballantine's 30 year , Chivas Regal 25 year, Johnnie Walker Blue, Kings Crest 25 year, The Antiquary 21 year, Booker's Small Batch, Eagle Rare 17 year, Jefferson's Reserve, Michter's 10 year, Noah Mill's 15 year, AH Hirsch 16 year, Longrow Cask 10 year, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year, Willet 28 year.

More or less luxury drinks are also made in Canada - Seagrams VO, Wisers Deluxe 18 year, Crown Royal Special Reserve, Glen Breton Rare Single Malt, Canadian Club 30 year, Crown Royal XR, J.P. Wiser's Red Letter - all this is already an elite, despite popular brands, drinks of the most serious, gourmet class, suitable for savoring in the quiet of an office or at a bar counter.

And remember - Scottish single molts are only suitable for such savoring. We list the main ones: Deanston 12 year, Glenfiddich 12 year, Speyburn 10 year, Aberlour 10 year, Ardmore Traditional Cask, Glenlivet 12 year, Highland Park 12 year, Laphroaig Quarter Cask 10 year, Macallan Fin Oak 12 year, Scapa 14 year, Ardberg 10 year, Bowmore 16 year, Bruichladdich 15 year, Glendronach 12 year, Highland Park 18 year, Old Pulteney 17 year, Scapa 16 year, Glenfarclas 25 year, Highland Park 40 year, Macallan 25 year, Springbank 15 year, The Glenrothes 1975, Aberfeldy , Balblair, Ben Nevis, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Glen Ord, Glenmorangie, Oban, and Old Pulteney, Arran, Jura, Tobermory, and Talisker, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin.

They need to be DRINKED. Specially. Not a snack. Not in one gulp, without diluting with any cola (for in a decent pub you can earn the contempt of the bartender for all eternity). Not getting drunk (or doing it extremely slowly and elegantly).

Singlemolts, unlike the simpler American, Irish or Canadian varieties, drink according to the rules - the Irish traditionally do not dilute their whiskey (it is extremely soft - Jameson, Paddy as bright examples), while some "Scotch" flavored with ice or refreshed with a few drops of water is recommended (otherwise they can get up in the throat).

Singlemolts are poured and drunk in special tulip-shaped glasses, as it is believed that it allows you to better reveal the aroma of the drink.

No glasses, shots, piles, bowls - only old fashion or a toggle switch. To cool whiskey, it is considered good practice to use, in addition to ice, which still affects the taste, diluting the whiskey, cubes of the so-called soapstone (good luck finding it in the bars of Moscow or St. Petersburg).

Single molts are expensive drinks: a shot in a pub will cost 400-500 rubles (however, there are varieties within 300-350 rubles), and a bottle - from 2.5 to 15-16 thousand (we do not consider the super-elite segment of 30 and above years of aging, these are presidential drinks, and even then not all presidents of the world, probably, had the good fortune to try them).

You need to understand that for this money you will not always (far from always) get what you like. Single molts are often very original drinks that only very big connoisseurs and lovers will appreciate, so paying quite a lot by the standards of average salaries modern Russia money for tasting experiments, with the goal of just relaxing after a working day, is probably inappropriate.

But if you want to indulge in something like that, break your drinking routine and open up a new space for research, study and comparison - then single molts are an excellent subject area for this kind of task.
It is worth remembering that the world of whiskey brands is not a static hierarchy, where nothing new happens and everything is frozen in the eternal harmony of peaceful coexistence.

New brands appear - Japan has been performing quite worthily (for a long time, but it’s not so easy to find the famous Suntory in our bar menu, however, they are sold in stores), Canadian varieties become a pleasant discovery in terms of price / quality ratio for many (completely unpromoted brands save on marketing and do not raise the price tag for a big name, offering a quality drink almost for nothing), manufacturers are trying to improve the existing varieties, to create something original based on the classics.

In the end, well-known varieties in the West are making their way to the Russian market - not so long ago, an excellent Scottish single malt AnСnoc appeared - it is not available in bars, and in stores an excellent drink is sold for unexpectedly low money with excellent quality of the mildest taste of real Scottish single malt.

And there are a lot of such surprises - mostly pleasant ones - in the world of whiskey.

On store shelves you can see different types whiskeys that differ in variety, manufacturer, number of years of aging and a host of other parameters. The problem naturally arises: how to choose a really good whiskey that will give you an unforgettable taste experience and make you feel great the next day. It is not difficult for a professional to find genuine whiskey among the variety of bottles, but for an average person it is important to know some nuances in order not to spend money on a low-quality product or buy the wrong kind of drink. For example, many are frightened when they see that some bottles say "Whisky" and others are called "Whiskey", although the difference in spelling is due to the fact that in the first case we are talking about Scotch whiskey, and in the second - about a Canadian, American or Irish production. Another indication that the whiskey is made in Scotland is the "Scotch" mark. Of course, it makes sense for connoisseurs to get acquainted not only with the country of production, but also with a specific region, because the taste and aroma of the drink largely depends on the place of production.

All the necessary information is available on the whiskey label, so it is enough to read the labels carefully so as not to be mistaken. Whiskey belonging to one or another type is determined by the first line, in particular, barley-based drinks must have the word "Malt" in the name, while on grain whiskey you can see "Grain" in various combinations. If you want to try a drink made in Canada or the USA, then you should give preference to whiskeys that say "Bourbon" - this indicates that the drink is made with the addition of corn. A little secret: when the article “The” is present before the name, it means that the drink was not only made, but also bottled at the distillery indicated below. But the combination of the words DoubleWood suggests that the whiskey was aged in two types of barrels.

It is also important not to get confused about whiskey aging, which is considered the main selection criterion and, by the way, seriously affects the cost of the drink. Ordinary, or high-quality whiskey, is in barrels for at least 3 years, aged and rare - more than 12 and 15 years, respectively, and the duration of exposure of the ancient drink can reach half a century.

Before buying, carefully study not only the label, but also the color of the drink - the longer the aging time, the darker the whiskey should be (with rare exceptions). So, when the indicated duration of exposure is not confirmed by personal examination, it is better to give preference to another bottle. An equally serious reason to refuse the chosen option will be the discrepancy between the country of origin and the barcode - for example, if it is indicated that the drink is made in the UK, and the encoding does not start with 50, then this is a serious reason to think about the quality of whiskey.

Which is prepared from grains of various types using special methods of distillation, storage and aging. Usually it is drunk in its pure form, or mixed in cocktails. Like any other type of alcoholic product, this drink is produced both in the highest and lower quality. In this article, we will give a whiskey rating so that you can decide which option to buy for a home feast, which one is not ashamed to give to a big boss, and which one to use as an investment for the future. After all, collectible bottles “leave” auctions for many thousands of dollars.

whiskey according to the authoritative magazine "Whiskey Bible"

First, it should be noted that - this is Irish. Often a separate rating is compiled, exclusively for these species. Aging and composition are also important - after all, the drink can be single malt, double malt and multi-malt. Even the material from which the barrels for storing alcohol are made is important (oak barrels are considered the best). Taking into account all these factors, and make up a whiskey rating. So, let's listen to the opinion of experts and see how the authoritative sommeliers of the American Whiskey Bible magazine distributed the prizes:

1. In first place is Old Pulteney 21 YO, which earned 97.5 points out of 100 possible. The price for 700 ml is about 200-250 dollars, which is pretty good for the first place winner.

2. The second place of honor, according to the experts of the Whiskey Bible, should be given to the noble drink George T. Stagg, the price for a bottle of which is about 150-160 dollars.

3. Parker's Heritage Collection Wheated Mash Bill Bourbon 10 YO is in third place. Its cost is much less - only 80-90 dollars for a 750 ml bottle.

We have named three main winners of the rating. The experts then considered the best varieties in various categories such as Scotch (Scotch), Single Malt Scotch, Irish and American Whiskey. I must say that this, perhaps, the most authoritative whiskey rating in the world does not include the varieties of the drink that are widely known to Russian buyers. The only thing that was recognized as one of the best in the “Blended Scotch” category was the more or less familiar Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 YO.

The most delicious whiskey: customer opinion

Agree, you can take into account the opinions of experts about which whiskey is the best in the world. But is it worth relying on them when talking about the taste of the product? After all, sommeliers evaluate drinks according to some special, semi-secret criteria, and what may seem like a divine pleasure to them, an ordinary buyer will not like at all. So, let's look at the rating of whiskey by taste, based on the reviews of the consumers themselves, as well as sales estimates. So, William Lawson’s (Baccardi) is in first place, Johnnie Walker Black Label is firmly in second, and Maccalan whiskey is in third place. Whether experts agree with this rating is a big question... The above Top 3 drinks are based on sales growth data for 2013.

Whiskey rating in the world: top 10 most expensive drinks

Now we come to perhaps the most interesting, because collectible whiskeys cost tens of thousands of dollars, and few people buy them just to enjoy a fragrant drink, sitting by the fireplace and smoking a cigar. Such bottles are considered as investments and are carefully stored in special cabinets, which, by the way, also cost a lot of money. So, we present to your attention another whiskey rating. The main selection criterion in it was the price for one bottle of the drink (the rating is based on data from 2013):

1. In first place - a blend of three blends of 1946, at a price of $ 460,000 per bottle. Believe me, the cost of a drink will only increase over the years.

2. In second place is Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve 1955 whiskey at $94,000 per bottle (compared to the first-place winner, this price seems extremely “affordable”).

3. The third place is again with Macallan, but already with the 1926 blend. The price is $75,000 per bottle.

4. The fourth position is occupied by Glenfiddich 1937 - it seems that the brands Glenfiddich and Macallan have entered into serious competition in terms of price and quality of the product. The cost of a bottle of Glenfiddich 1937 is $71,700.

5. In fifth place is the rare Dalmore 62 Highland Malt Scotch Matheson whiskey at a price of $58,000 per bottle.

6. Positions six through ten were taken by Macallan 55, Dalmore 50, Glenfarclas 1955, Macallan 1939 and Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50, where the last number in the title is the number of years of aging. Prices per bottle range from $15,500 for Macallan 55 to $10,000 exactly for Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50.

Popularity rating of inexpensive whiskeys

Of course, it's good to be a millionaire and have a bottle worth ten off-road jeeps in stock ... However, not everyone has access to such pleasure. And therefore, let's look at the whiskey rating by popularity. It includes exactly those drinks that are available to the average customer, because their price does not exceed $30-40 for a standard 0.7 liter bottle. In the process of compiling the rating, the taste of the drink, quality, aftertaste and other important criteria were taken into account.

1. The first place belongs to Kingdom 12 Year Old Scotch whiskey: the product has 12 years of aging and a soft aftertaste.

2. Second on the list is Town Branch Bourbon, a famous American brand.

3. The third is Elmer T. Lee Bourbon Whiskey.

4. The fourth position is occupied by Black Bottle Blended Scotch whiskey (experts say that this “Scotch” has a bright aftertaste with fruity undertones).

5. In fifth place is Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey, it is noteworthy that its strength is 45 degrees.

Value for money: inexpensive whiskeys

If you are a lover, not a connoisseur of this drink, the first five names listed above are unlikely to cause you any associations. But, continuing the rating, you will finally see familiar brands in the list. So:

6. Six-year-old Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is in sixth place.

8. In eighth position - Smooth Ambler Exceptional White Whiskey. They say he has bright pronounced taste corn flour.

9. Ninth place was taken by a brand more or less familiar to Russians: the Johnny Drum Green Label drink has a standard 40 degrees and a slightly spicy taste.

10. And the last, tenth place is given to Johnny Drum Black Label, which also has a strength of 40 degrees, and in its taste and aftertaste - hints of vanilla and... leather.

Popular cocktails containing whiskey

Making alcohol mixes is an art. And a professional bartender can name a dozen cocktails, which include the drink in question. Here are the best and most popular ones:

• the famous whiskey-cola mix (albeit only two ingredients, but still a cocktail) is a real bestseller;
• a cocktail called “Nail” or “Red Nail”, which also includes whiskey and Scottish liqueur “Drumbuie”;
• many people like "Irish coffee" - a hot drink, where whiskey is also added.

In general, it is customary to drink the noble “Scotch” or “Single Malt” simply with ice, so there are not many cocktails with the addition of this Scottish or Irish drink. So, we looked at the rating of whiskey - the most expensive, as well as the most inexpensive, but at the same time of high quality, and the most popular with buyers. We hope our article will help you choose your drink or decide on a gift for a friend or colleague, because alcohol in this category is often used as a present for a birthday or any other holiday.

A real taste for good alcohol is a huge rarity. But you can develop the ability to understand drinks, just by remembering a few simple recommendations and making a couple of trial "outings" in specialty stores. In the process of such “learning”, one cannot ignore whiskey: this noble drink must be able to both drink and choose. You will have to deal with the first one yourself, with the second - this article will help.

Which whiskey is better to choose: malt, grain or blended?

Whiskey belongs to the group of spirits made from grain by malting, fermenting, distilling and further aging in traditional oak barrels. Basically, the fortress of whiskey is 32-50%, but some specimens reach 60%.
Classic whiskey is considered to be malt whiskey, produced exclusively from barley malt and labeled as malt whiskey. It is divided into three groups:

The most expensive and best whiskey is single malt. Pure and single cask malt are somewhat inferior in quality, and the latter option is also very difficult to find on sale.

Grain whiskey (grain) serves as a base for other drinks rather than acting in an independent role. It is used to make vodka, gin, and blended whiskey. Very rarely on store shelves comes across the Choice Old Cameron Brig brand, which produces a pure grain drink.
The most popular are blended varieties, designated as blended and considered a drink for the masses. They are a malt-grain mixture: at the same time, the more malt, the better the drink is. Despite the frank budget of blended whiskey, it often has an excellent taste. For example, such brands as Johnnie Walker, White Horse, Chivas Regal have proven themselves well.

Bourbon stands out. This is a drink of American origin, for the manufacture of which corn, rye and oat grains are used. An amateur, but worth a try.

Whiskey: how to choose by country of origin?

The country in which whiskey was made can tell a lot about the taste of the drink. Mostly found on the shelves:

1. Irish whiskey. Ideal option for a beginner. It is characterized by soft notes with a spicy aftertaste of blackcurrant. Main brands - St. Patrick, Cooley, Bushmills, Jameson and Midleton.
2. Scottish tape. The leader among whiskeys in terms of fame. The drink has a peaty taste and a pronounced smell of smoke. Scotch is usually drunk diluted. The best brands are Glenfiddich, AnCnoc, Johnnie Walker, White Horse, Chivas Regal.
3. Japanese whiskey. It is made according to a technology similar to the "Scotch", but the drink turns out to be less "smoky". Japanese whiskey is characterized by excellent quality, as well as low prevalence on domestic shelves. The main brands are Yoichi, Nikka, Suntory.
4. Canadian whiskey. The most "unexpected" drink, which is due to the peculiarity of Canadian legislation. About 9% of almost anything can be added to whiskey - vodka, rum, cognac. As a result, the taste of the drink is completely unpredictable. It is recommended to try the "works" of manufacturers such as Black Velvet and Canadian Club.
5. American whiskey. Sweetish taste and long aftertaste are characteristic features of bourbon. In softness, it can be compared with the "Irish". Traditionally, Jack Daniel's, Old Virginia and Jim Beam brands are presented on the shelves.

Each type of whiskey finds its admirer, so it is recommended to just try it. Even drinks from the same country can vary, so don't get too frustrated with scotch if you don't like Johnnie Walker - there's always the option of turning to another brand.

What whiskey to buy after examining the bottle?

Alcohol stores are literally littered with fakes, from which a real drink can be distinguished by a bottle. She is characterized by:

• evenly glued and neat label;
• undamaged cork;
• excise stamp;
• general "tidy" appearance.

In addition to the type of whiskey and the country of origin, the label must contain information about the exposure. Only due to a long stay in oak barrels, a unique noble drink is formed from alcohol. The age of a whiskey is determined by the youngest spirit in the composition, but as soon as the drink is in the bottle, the countdown stops. For bourbon, the minimum exposure is 2 years, for the rest of the whiskey - 3 years. Optimal age it is considered 5-10 years: it is this drink that is recommended to choose.

A quality drink meets the following requirements:

• transparency;
• perfectly pure color;
• lack of sediment and clots.

There is a true test to determine how good a whiskey is. If you shake the bottle slightly, then liquid should slowly flow down its walls, and air bubbles should form in the drink itself.

No one can resist a good whiskey. It's all about making the right choice.