The process of making whiskey varies by style, but in most cases it starts with raw grain — in the case of malt whisky, barley.
The grain is ground and then mixed with water to extract sugars. Then yeast is added to convert those sugars into alcohol. Depending on the type of grain, different fermentation processes are used to create differing taste characteristics.
Water
Water is one of the tiniest building blocks of all matter in the Universe, and it’s the one that makes up the liquid elixir that is whiskey. It’s made of two hydrogen atoms that bond with an oxygen atom. That’s how a glass of water is made, and it’s also how all living things are.
You’ll find a lot of water in our planet, and it all came from the water-rich minerals that formed during the formation of our planet and icy comets that smashed into it billions of years ago. These melted into the ground and eventually formed liquid water.
But if you want to get really technical about it, water is actually made of mixtures, which are combinations of different elements or compounds that have the same properties as each element or compound individually. This is why water is such a good solvent, and it’s the reason why liquids are easy to dissolve in water.
Whiskey is distilled from a fermented grain called barley, which has been malted and then mashed with water. The water is added to this mixture during the mash process, to help extract the sugars from the barley. After the mash is completed, it’s distilled again in a still to become whiskey.
Grain
A whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from a fermented grain mash. The mash is made of the grains barley, corn, rye and wheat along with water and sometimes other ingredients like honey or spices.
The process of transforming the grains into alcohol involves a series of chemical and biological reactions. The most important is the conversion of starch into sugars by a yeast fungus, and then further by distillation to become a distilled alcoholic beverage.
To start, the grains are harvested and cleaned. This is called malting, and is a major step in the development of scotch whisky or any other type of whisky that includes barley. It essentially turns the grain into a porridge-like substance that is a good environment for the yeast.
During malting, the grains are exposed to an enzyme that breaks down the proteins in the grains and stimulates the conversion of starch into sugar. The sugars in the grains are used as a source of energy by the yeast. This is the key to getting the yeast to work correctly and consistently, making alcohol.
While most whiskeys are a blend of different grains, there are also many single grain whiskeys that are crafted using a specific type of grain. This is often done with the intention of creating a unique and idiosyncratic taste profile.
The most common grain used to make scotch is barley, which has an exceptionally high level of enzymes needed for converting starch into sugars. Barley is also the primary grain in bourbon, rye and Canadian whiskey, but other types of grains are also used.
Barrel
Whiskey is a dark, distilled spirit that is made from a fermented mash of cereal grains such as corn, barley malt, rye, and wheat. The mash is distilled in pot stills to produce the distillate. It is then aged in wooden barrels, which are usually made from oak.
The wood used for whiskey barrels is important because it has a large impact on the final product. It is also important that the wood used for barrels is sourced responsibly.
Several species of wood are commonly used for making barrels, including red oak, white oak, maple, hickory, walnut, and cherry. The type of wood chosen for whiskey barrels largely depends on the type of whiskey and the area in which it is produced.
For example, a barrel used to make bourbon is typically made from charred white American oak. This type of wood has a tighter grain and fewer rings than a barrel used to make rye, which has a looser grain and a greater number of rings.
Once the oak is harvested, it is seasoned outside for at least six months before it is shaped into a barrel. This process reduces tannins and gives the oak time to soften.
After the barrel has been shaped, it is fired up for at least 90 seconds to char the wood. This charring process changes the microbial activity of the oak, which affects the whiskey’s taste and aroma during the fermentation stage.
Ageing
Ageing is the process of storing distilled spirit in oak barrels for long periods to help reduce harsh flavours and improve the taste. The time taken to age differs between spirits – Scotch whisky needs at least three years and American whiskey usually needs two.
During the ageing process, the wood absorbs the alcohol, giving it a more complex and rich flavour. This is why a 20 year old Scotch will be smoother than a 10 year old.
The type of wood used for aging is also important. Ideally, the oak used is charred to allow the spirits to extract the most flavour from it. However, other types of wood can be used as well.
Aging is a slow, time-consuming process that requires patience and a lot of experience. It’s an essential step to making quality whiskey, and it can make a difference between a cheap whiskey and one that’s expensive.
But it can also be a lot of fun. For instance, you could play around with a variety of different types of wood in order to see how they change the flavour profile of your whiskey.
Many people find aging their own whiskey a great way to learn more about the process and how it affects the final product. It’s also a good opportunity to experiment with various finishes and types of wood, which can be useful when you’re ready to invest in an oak bottle or other container to store your whisky in.