The nicest whiskeys

I am glad to welcome you again, dear friends! I have so much to tell you! Dived into the topic - Scotch whiskey, its brands are the most popular and the best, how they differ and who produces. And I have learned so many interesting things that I hasten to share with you.

A little about scotch tape in general

As you know from the previous post, Scotland is considered the birthplace of whiskey, which there (that is, not only there, but everywhere) is called Scotch and on every bottle of the drink produced in this country of the Kingdom, there is the Whiskey Scotch mark.

There are several significant differences between the original Scotch Scotch and whiskey produced elsewhere, which can only be called Whiskey or Bourbon.

There are several types of Scotch whiskey:

• Malt - Scotch made from 100% barley malt only.
• Single Malt is a single malt whiskey made in one distillery and bottled there.
• Single Cask Malt is a mixture of multi-malt varieties, aged in one barrel.
• Pure Malt is a composition of several brands of single malt whiskey produced in different distilleries, aged in one barrel.
• Blend is a blended whiskey, a combination of different types of malt and grain alcohols in varying proportions.
• Grain is a whiskey made from pure wheat alcohol of very high quality. This is the most expensive brand of unmalted scotch.
• Single Grain is also a pure grain whiskey, lower in the category.
• Grain Single Barrel is a scotch made from a mixture of grain alcohols, aged in one barrel for at least 6 months.
• Pure Grain is a combination of several grain drinks produced at different distilleries.

It's rare to find pure grain whiskey here. Most often it is a blend or single malt varieties. A total of 148 brands of Scottish Scotch are currently on the market.

The most famous brands of scotch tape

If you ask someone who knows a little about whiskey which brand is the most famous, he will no doubt name Johnnie walker... In Russian, the name sounds like Johnny Walker - this is the name of the founder of the distillery. The event happened back in 1820. It is now the world's best-selling brand. There are 5 Johnnie Walker labels:

• The cheapest is Red Label. Its manufacturer positions it as an "everyday" scotch tape. Consists of 35 varieties of barley, the base is the Cardu brand, aged in sherry barrels for 3 to 5 years.
  The cost of a bottle with us ranges from 1.8-2.0 thousand rubles per 0.7 liter bottle. Further I will indicate just such a spill - for convenience. The first price - in online stores and wholesalers, the second - in retail trade. This is the number 1 whiskey in the world. 7.5 million 9-liter crates are sold every year worldwide!

• Black Label is a great blend, aged over 12 years. It contains almost 40 single malt alcohols. It has the softest, honeyed taste and a light smoky note in the aroma. The cost is 3.0-4.2 thousand rubles.

• Gold Label, or it is also called the "Golden Label", has an aging of at least 18 years and is made up of 15 of the most valuable barley and grain alcohols. The recipe was developed for the centenary of the Johnny Walker & Sons Company. It is considered the most "honey and smoky" brand. Price - within 5-5.5 thousand rubles.

• Blue Label is one of the most valuable brands of a very rare blend. A limited edition of this composition is produced annually, in which each bottle (only 0.7 liters) has a personal number. The taste contains notes of smoke, dark chocolate, cedar and oriental spices. The cost of a bottle is from 15 to 20 thousand rubles. A variation is the Blue Label King George V Edition brand, half of the collection of which is supplied to the royal court, and the other is sold at auctions. According to journalists, almost everything goes to the United Arab Emirates.

• Platinum Label is the newest product of the company. Year of birth - 2011, the author of the blend is Jim Beveridge. Alcohols have been infused for at least 18 years, the composition is kept secret. Experts say that the blend was created under the influence of the blend master's trip to India. And that's why scotch tape has a very strong, spicy and at the same time sweet taste with a traditional smoky aroma. The price is about 8 thousand rubles.

Among luxury whiskeys, the brand has been holding the championship for decades Chivas regal - products of the Chivas Brothers distillery (founded in 1801).

The blend is 39-41% malt whiskey. Available in three varieties: Chivas Regal 12 Y.O. with 12-year aging (price about 3 thousand rubles for 0.7 l), with 18-year-old - Chivas Regal Gold Signature 18 Y.O. (6.5 thousand rubles) and Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50 Y.O., created for the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation in 2003.

Feature - colored bottles imitating the play of precious stones on the royal crown. The price of an exclusive bottle is from 15 thousand rubles.

Whiskey scotch glenlivet, reads like Glenlivet, is one of the finest Single Malt brands. Date of birth - 1824. Withstands from 12 to 25 years. Drying of malt is carried out by the smoke of peat, which is practically fresh in composition, extracted only in one place.

Has a fairly light golden color, honey flavor and delicate smoky-floral fleur. Aged in bourbon barrels (one type is from sherry), and for almost 200 years now, water has been taken from only one source. Cost - from 4 thousand rubles. for a 12-year-old bottle up to 30-35 thousand - for a 25-year-old.

Famous grouse - the national pride of Scotland. Only there is the wild grouse partridge, which is shown on the label. Strength of drink 43% alc. Consists of malt spirits from two distilleries. The best-selling brand in Scotland itself.

And at the same time, many houses have their own recipes for how to make Faymous Grose. Connoisseurs note spices and orange in the taste, caramel in the aftertaste, and fruits (orange and cherry) and peat smoke in the aroma. The price is in the region of 2-2.5 thousand rubles.

Among the very famous and valuable brands, you should definitely mention:

• Ballantine's - the third largest sales in the world. Has the title "Impeccable Taste". Price from 1000 r. for 3 years of age and up to 35 thousand for aging for 30 years.
• Cutty sark - the lightest and most original in taste variety. And the cheapest original scotch - from 800 rubles. per bottle
• Dewar's White label - the most complex blend in composition. Has a Royal Patent and over 400 international awards. Exposure from 3 to 25 years, price 4-25 thousand rubles.
• Glenfiddich or scotch tape with antlers. Every 4th bottle sold in the world has them on the label. This is an elite class single malt whiskey. A bottle with a 40-year-old drink costs 210 thousand rubles. The cheapest is about 4 thousand.

The most popular whiskey in Russia

Well, I want to finish my review with the most popular brand among my compatriots. Naturally, this is the White Horse - White horse... Also, this whiskey is the first in Japan, the second in Brazil and the third in the United States in popularity.

It is interesting that at home this drink is not even included in the top 20. But on the other hand, the manufacturer is White Horse Distillers Limited, the only one to have the Queen's Award for Achievements in the Development of International Trade.

Recently, the distilleries were bought by Diageo, which now owns almost half of the listed brands. There are more than 20 types of malt and grain alcohols in the White Horse blend, the taste is sweet, with fruit, the aroma is smoky, with hints of vanilla.

On this I say goodbye, although I could still tell you a lot of interesting things about scotch tape. I will switch to other drinks for now - well, so as not to be offended. Subscribe - and you will receive a letter with a new, exciting investigation on the topic of alcohol. And remember - everything is good in moderation!

Best regards, Pavel Dorofeev.

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

Rating of the best whiskey according to the authoritative magazine "Bibliya Whiskey"

First, it should be noted that the best whiskey is Scotch (Scotch) and Irish. A separate rating is often compiled, exclusively for these species. The 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 matters (oak are considered the best). Taking into account all these factors, and make up the rating of whiskey. So, let's listen to the opinion of experts and see how the reputable sommeliers of the American magazine “Bible of Whiskey” distributed the prizes:

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

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

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

We have named three main winners of the ranking. Then the experts looked at the best varieties in various categories, for example: "Scotch" (Scotch whiskey), "Single malt scotch", "Irish" and "American whiskey". I must say that this, perhaps, the most authoritative rating of whiskey in the world does not include the varieties of drink widely known to Russian buyers. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 YO, more or less familiar to us, was recognized as one of the best in the “Blended Scotch” category.

The most delicious whiskey: customer opinion

Agree, you can take into account the opinions of experts about what is the best whiskey 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 they may seem like a divine pleasure, an ordinary customer will not like it at all. So let's take a look at the taste rating of whiskey based on consumer feedback as well as sales estimates. So, in the first place is William Lawson's drink (Baccardi company), Johnnie Walker Black Label is firmly in second place, Maccalan whiskey is in third place. Whether the experts agree with such a rating is a big question ... The above Top-3 drinks were compiled on the basis of sales growth data for 2013.

Whiskey rating in the world: top 10 most expensive drinks

Now we come, perhaps, to the most interesting thing, 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 was compiled on the basis of data from 2013):

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

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

3. The third place is again at Macallan, but already a blend of 1926. Price - $ 75,000 per bottle.

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

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

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

Popularity rating of inexpensive whiskeys

Of course, it's good to be a millionaire and have a bottle of ten SUVs in stock ... However, not everyone has such a pleasure. Therefore, let's take a look at the ranking of whiskey by popularity. It includes exactly those drinks that are available to the average consumer, since 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. 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 notes).

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

Value for Money: Continued Popularity Rankings for Inexpensive Whiskeys

If you are a lover, not a connoisseur of this drink, the first five names given 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.

7. The seventh line in this rating is given to Pescadores Pumpkin Whiskey. This Thai drink has fruity and floral notes.

8. In eighth position - Smooth Ambler Exceptional White Whiskey. It is said to have a distinct corn flour flavor.

9. The ninth place was taken by a brand more or less familiar to Russians: 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.

So, we reviewed the whiskey rating compiled by experts in 2013. The main criterion in it was the price-quality ratio. The article mentioned that whiskey is also included in cocktails. Which ones? Read on.

Popular cocktails containing whiskey

Making alcoholic mixes is a whole art. A professional bartender can name a dozen cocktails that include the drink in question. Here are the best and most popular ones:

• the famous “whiskey-cola” mix (even if there are only two ingredients, but still a cocktail) - a real hit of sales;
• a cocktail called "Nail" or "Red Nail", which also includes whiskey and Scottish liqueur "Drambuie";
• many people love Irish Coffee, a hot drink to which 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 reviewed 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 among 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.

Table of contents:

1. Single malt whiskey
2. Blended whiskey
3. Grain whiskey
4. The best whiskey in the world
5. How to choose whiskey?

Whiskey is a distilled beverage made from various grains. There are stages in its preparation:

1. Germination of seeds (malting).
2. Fermentation.
3. Distillation.
4. Aging in oak barrels.

Whiskey is usually made from barley or wheat, but sometimes it can be made from rye. Separately, there is bourbon, which is made from corn. The strength of whiskey can vary within a very wide range, more often it is 32-50%, but sometimes there are drinks containing 60% alcohol. This variety makes it difficult to decide which whiskey to choose.

According to the difference in production technology, there are three types of whiskey:

• malt;
• blended;
• grain.

Single malt whiskey

This type of this drink is usually the answer to the question of which whiskey is the best, since it is considered elite, the most expensive and of the highest quality. Whiskey connoisseurs enjoy the best single malt whiskey. The production technology of this drink is the longest, since it must be infused in oak barrels for at least 3 years. The average exposure time is 10 years at all.

Single malt (malt whiskey) whiskey - a drink for the production of which sprouted barley (barley malt) is used. It must be distinguished from a grain whiskey so as not to be confused about which whiskeys are considered good.

The amazing ability of this whiskey is the dependence of its aroma and taste on the place of production.

But single malt whiskey is not all the same, but has several subspecies:

• Actually single malt whiskey is made at the same distillery, although it allows a blend of fractions from different years of harvest.
• Single cask whiskey comes from a single barrel, it can have a cask strength, but it is often brought to the standard.
• Quarter cask whiskey is taken from a smaller barrel, which must be made of American oak. In this case, the strength of the drink increases to 50%, the taste is richer, and the ripening process is accelerated. This type of whiskey is most often chosen by the stronger sex, which is not surprising.
• The last type is pure malt (otherwise, blended malt or vatted malt) - a mixture of different distilleries.

Regarding single malt whiskey, there was a not unfounded opinion that it had a too pungent smell and a somewhat unusual taste. For this reason, they began to mix it with other types of whiskey. But this drink can no longer be called a single malt whiskey.

Video on which whiskeys are considered good

Although any single malt whiskey is produced according to the standard technology, but in each region it acquires its own specific flavor, by which it is easy to distinguish it from others.

Manufacturers have a little secret that they don't like to advertise too much: there are two distinct types - consumer whiskey and whiskey from merchants. Both varieties are good. The only difference is that whiskey from merchants is produced in small distilleries, so it costs more. The consumer version is made on an industrial scale, so it is closer to the definition of a good inexpensive whiskey. There is also a difference in personality. Consumer whiskey has a standard good taste and aroma, and the bouquet of whiskey from the merchants "dances" strongly, and not necessarily for the better.

The location of a particular distillery and the particular climate inevitably affect the quality of single malt whiskey, so each batch is unique in taste. The water used in production is as important as the way it is distilled.

The best single malt whiskey can be found in bottles with the following names:

• Glen Grant, Glenfiddich.
• Bowmore, Highland Park.
• Aberlour Single Malt.

Blended whiskey

It is this type of whiskey that can be found most often in most stores, it is the most affordable. The prices are quite reasonable, and the taste is quite pleasant.

Blending refers to the blending of malt whiskeys with grains in the production of malt whiskeys. In total, the blend can include up to 50 different varieties. If the label contains the words "Deluxe" or "Premium", it means that the blend is made up of only elite expensive sorts, and the best sorts of whiskey are in front of the buyer.

If we consider the issue in terms of sales volume, then in the world 90% of the sold whiskey is blended. There are whiskeys that contain a minimum of malt, such as Chivas Regal, although the producers trumpet otherwise. Drinks with a high proportion of malt are labeled with the word "Delux", which you need to know before choosing a good whiskey.For those who still do not understand the difference in tastes of different whiskeys, it is best to study them by blended drinks.

Andrew Usher in 1853 developed the first blended whiskey recipe, it became the most common and was later called "Old Vatted Glenlivet". Whiskey production in England has come under government control since 1860. The point of blending is not so much to get a unique bouquet, but to maintain its stability from year to year. Any batch of drink selected for blending is immediately tasted after distillation. And which whiskey is better: single malt or blended - everyone decides for himself.

Notable representatives of blended whiskeys are:

• Ballantines.
• Chivas Regal.
• Bell's.

Grain whiskey

Experts attribute grain whiskey to the lowest quality, even call it technical. Such a drink is made from burnt barley or corn. Grain whiskey also has a significant technological difference from malt whiskey in its production - for its distillation, special distillation stills are used, in which steam contributes to the continuous production of alcohol. On the open market, such a drink appears quite rarely, since it has almost no smell or taste. But after additional purification, it is used as a semi-finished product for the production of vodka or gin.

Notable brands of grain whiskey:

• Greenore.
• Choice Old Cameron Brig.

The best whiskey in the world

Whiskey producers established the World Whiskies Award in 2007, which has become a kind of Oscar for them. Moreover, several nominations were highlighted:

• best malt;
• best single malt;
• best blended,

as well as the best whiskey by producer country:

• best Japanese;
• best Irish single malt, etc.

The historical spelling of the word "whiskey" is whiskey, but in the late 19th century, a distorted word "whiskey" arose to distinguish producers in other countries.

New winners are announced every year, so the question of which whiskey is better is more rhetorical. So, in 2014 the following brands won:

• Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask - the best single malt whiskey in the world;
• Taketsuru 17 Years Old - the best blended whiskey;
• The Lost Distilleries Blend - the best blended whiskey;
• Sons of Liberty Pumpk in Spice - Best Flavored Whiskey
• Master of Malt Speyside Whiskey Liqueur 40 Years Old - the best whiskey liqueur in the world;
• Teeling Single Grain - the best single grain whiskey;
• Thomas H Handy Sazerac is the finest rye whiskey.

How to choose whiskey?

The qualities of whiskey, like other drinks, depend on the ingredients and their proportions, and they create a unique bouquet.

Barley malt is the main ingredient in Scotch whiskeys, and minimalism reigns here. But the Irish decided to add rye there, which has become an integral part of the rich taste. America brought corn and wheat, and in Japan, rice and corn are added to whiskey along with barley.

A rather free choice and a combination of the original ingredients will not help in deciding which drink is the best - this is solely a matter of personal taste. When it comes to the best classic whiskeys, Scottish and Irish drinks are undoubtedly in the lead. It is important to learn how to drink whiskey correctly in order to feel the full flavor of the drink.

Video on which whiskey is the best

Choosing a whiskey in a store, you should look at its composition and strength. The more modest the composition and the higher the strength, the more solid the whiskey is. A good whiskey can be light yellow to brown in color.

The presence of sediment is not allowed.

On the walls of the bottle, when turning over, the liquid should go in a "stocking", and not in streams. After shaking the bottle with a drink, large air bubbles that do not disappear for a long time should appear in it.

Do you like whiskey? Which variety do you think is the best? Share your opinion in the comments.

There are quite a few whiskey varieties in the world. For centuries, the producers of strong wine have perfected the production technology, tested the recipes for creating a unique alcohol. As a result of years of trial and error, distillers around the world began to produce several of the most sought-after varieties.

Whiskey varieties

In accordance with the raw materials used and the production technology, the following varieties are distinguished:

Malt whiskey

The most expensive and refined is the single malt whiskey. What does this mean? This alcohol is made from barley using a special technology and is made in accordance with old recipes and traditions. Originally, single malt whiskey was used as the basis for blending blended spirits.

In 1960, at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland, an old recipe for single malt alcohol was restored. Connoisseurs of good wine appreciated the revealed taste and aroma qualities of this noble drink. Since that time, single malt whiskey began to rapidly conquer the world alcohol market.

In turn, this type of strong alcohol has several options. What is the difference between single malt whiskeys?

1. Vatted malt - cask whiskey. This type of drink is born from the mixing of malt alcohol from various distilleries (pure molt). The technology of whiskey production at different enterprises is practically the same. But the water used and the special climatic conditions make the alcohol of each distillery individual. When mixing strong wines from different manufacturers, a noble drink of unique taste and aroma is obtained. This whiskey can be called two-malt, although officially such a concept does not exist in the technology of alcohol production.
2. Single malt - whiskey from one distillery. For the production of this type of alcohol, the manufacturer uses only single malt whiskey of its own production. In the technology of creating a drink, mixing only the same type of alcohol of varying degrees of aging is allowed.
3. Single cask - whiskey from one barrel. When creating this type of alcohol, the manufacturer varies only in strength. Extracted from one barrel, whiskey can have its own barrel strength, acquired during maturation, or it can be brought by the creator to a standard strength.

Grain whiskey

This type of strong whiskey is made mainly from corn. It is the lowest-tasting drink that has no aroma. Scope of the drink - use for blending. Although a small batch of pure grain whiskey goes on sale.

The drink, which is planned to be used for blending, undergoes single distillation. With more thorough distillation (up to 5 times), alcohol is used to create vodka and gin.

Blended (Blend whiskey)

90% of the production volume is blended drink. What is the difference between single malt alcohol and blended alcohol? The answer is simple - the composition. Blended spirits are composed of single malt and grain whiskeys. Each producer of spirits creates its own unique bouquet, taking into account the traditions and preferences of the consumer. The most famous and noble is the Scottish blended version.

When getting acquainted with this amazing drink, many people have a question - which whiskey is better single malt or blended. You can find the answer to this question only by trying these drinks. As you know, there is no comrade in taste and color. Some people like the rich bouquet created as a result of the blend. Someone prefers a discreet, monogamous drink. This problem can be solved only by experience. And everyone will have their own solution.

Bourbon

Another type is bourbon. This is an American whiskey made from corn using a special technology. And, although it belongs to the category of whiskey, it has an absolutely unique taste and aroma, different from other types of this alcohol.

Classification by place of production

In addition to the classification by composition, the drink is also divided by the country of origin.

• Scottish (scotch). The most common whiskey is produced in Scotland. According to tradition, Scotch is the whiskey for which the spirit was produced in Scotland. And no matter in what part of the world this drink was bottled.A huge number of distilleries supply single malt and blended whiskey to the world market.
• Irish. A distinctive feature of this alcohol is the absence of a smoky aftertaste. Alcohol with such properties is born thanks to the special maturation process and the container used.
• American. In America, spirits are made from corn, rye and a small amount of barley. Due to the peculiarities in the technological process and the unique recipe, the drink differs significantly from the Scottish and Irish.
• Canadian. In Canada, the main raw material for alcohol production is rye. The label "RYE" is found on the labels of this drink.
• Japanese. Alcohol produced in Japan goes to the Asian market, it is almost impossible to taste it here.... The quality of Japanese whiskey is similar to scotch. The difference lies in the absence of a peaty flavor.

Each species is original in its own way and deserves attention. The final choice remains with the consumer.