Cocktail Recipes of the World: Whisky

There are many theories about the origin of Whisky; they are theories that are not able to confirm the location, process and date when whisky started to be elaborated. In any case all theories have in common the fact that its origin had a very tight link with the art that Egyptians developed along the 3000 BC by elaborating varnishes and perfumes.

This system is actually imported to Medieval Europe by the Irish who fought different battles in the Eastern Lands. Knowledge and documents were then brought to the monasteries where they find out the method to use in order to distillate fruits, plants, grains and flowers with exclusive medicine purposes. And it is like that when they get to elaborate the first spirit called Aqua Vitae or water of life, which at present time it is called Whisky or Whiskey depending on the region it was produced.

The first production of uisge beata seems to date back to the 15th century in monasteries. Uisge beata was used as a medicine as well as for direct consumption.

By the 1494, the first reference of the use of barley in the distillation process appears on documents of the Exheguer Rolls where it is mentioned barley to be used by a monk called John Cor to prepare Aqua Vitae.

Due to the many problems that whisky caused in between the people for its effects, authorities in Edinburgh decided to restrict the use and sales of whisky. Only surgeons and barbers could get whisky for medicine use only. However nobody really cared about such a law and Aqua Vitae kept on being drunk.

Farmers started to distill their own whisky after monasteries were dissolved in England and Scotland. This production made of the economy increasing their incomes as reliable source. By then Scotland had to impose a tax over each pint of the drink. This fact originated the constant conflicts between producers and government. By 1707 there were more taxes applied under a treat between Scotland and England and so the protests turned more violent after knowing of differences between one and the other country and as result people started the whisky revolution.

This revolution was part of internal battles between the different Highland clans to bring the Hannover down from the United Kingdom. After English men got the triumph, Scots couldn’t do anything else than making their own clandestine distillation to defend their tradition, roots and pride.

Those enhancements resulted in a serious improvement of the quality of the produced alcohol, and marked the real beginning of the economic expansion of Scotch whisky.

And it is so how during the industrial revolution, distilleries in Scotland were growing bigger and even started to export to England, going against an established system and prohibitions. In any case the economical importance of whisky in Scotland dates back to this period, which was the beginning of the capitalist era. In those days already, whisky was the major industry in that country.

WHISKY TYPES

Depending on the origin country whisky can be classified according to the ingredients, method, and aging time. By now we will talk about Scotch Whisky types.

In order to be a Scotch Whisky it must be distilled and aged in Scotland. Scotch whiskies derive part of their flavor from the air in the locations where they are stored during aging. Scotch must be matured in oak barrels with not more than 700 liters capacity. Barrels are second hand tools used by American Bourbon industry and Spanish Sherry and Port producers. All of these contribute distinctive flavors to whiskey.

TYPES:

Single Malt

Pure Malt

Blended

Single Grain

Blends are generally cheaper than malts. Scotch whisky does not allow any additives or enhancers but only cereals such as: barley, maize, wheat, etc.) To ensure color a small amount of caramel that comes from sugar is permitted and also little quantities or water and yeast.

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

It contains strictly malt whiskies from a single distillery using copper pot stills. Single malts are produced in many areas of Scotland. Speyside is the best known with the highest concentration of malts. There are five distinct areas: Speyside, Highland, Lowland Campbeltown and Islay.

PURE (VATTED) MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

is a blend of malt whiskies from different distilleries. These means that the bottle doesn’t contain grain whiskies.

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

is the most popular worldwide. Blends are created from many different malt whiskies and grain whisky in a relation of 80% grain against 20% grains. These whiskies are popular because of their consistency and distinctive characteristics according to particular markets.

SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

is the product of a single distillery and made from unmalted barley, corn (maize) or wheat, water and barley. Bottles of this kind of whisky are often hard to find in the market.

As well as Scotland, other countries also produce whisky including: Irish Whiskey, with the majority of production taking place in County Cork, Bourbon Whiskey from the US (originally from Bourdon County, Kentucky, although they may be produced anywhere in the US now), and Rye Whiskeys from the US (although they may also be made in Canada).