Ireland Spirits

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      Whisky is a distillate obtained by fermentation and subsequent distillation of various cereals, aged in wooden casks


      Peat whisky or traditional whisky?


      The debate has been going on since ever and it divides purists, supporters of the authenticity of whisky prepared according to the classic methods, from those who can also appreciate other types of flavors and essences, definitely particular. 


      Scotch peat whisky certainly is, for its intense taste and for that smell of smoke which distinguishes it.


      Peat whisky generally means a type of whisky produced in the Hebridean islands, off the coast of Scotland, where the process of drying malt is done in ovens not fuelled by wood or coal, like in the mainland, but with a particular fuel: peat.


      Scotch Whisky


      Single Malt Scotch Whisky


      Scotch whisky Single Malt, as the name eloquently says, is exclusively produced with malt, 100%, malted barley, through a long and evocative process. The disciplinary is strict, but in some cases not even that strict, there are lights and shadows, even though it is the king of whiskies. Barley, for example, can be cultivated everywhere, only the process of transformation into malt must be done in Scotland.


      Distillation must be at least double, with some distilleries even going as far as a third distillation. The aging in cask must be of at least 3 years and, as logic wants, in the label is indicated the age of the youngest distillate, because as for brandy, Champagne, Cognac and Armagnac, single malt is (almost) always a blend of single malts of the same "house".


      Aging and bottling must absolutely take place in Scotland. Since 2009 bottling is regulated by a state law. After the base aging, the spirit is aged in ex-bourbon casks and the grand finale in ex-Sherry casks to round out all the thunderous exuberance of the spirit. Flavors range from Islay assault peat to a stroll through a rose garden in pure Speyside style.


      Scotch Blended Malt Whisky


      This is a nice blend, as it comes from a blend of single malts. Actually they are not bad and they are born as very balanced or very peated products such as Big Peat, by giving up the initial purity it is possible to find very interesting solutions. Once they were also called Vatted Malt, but since 2009 this name has been banned.


      Single Grain Scotch Whisky


      To produce these whiskies is used a malt base, to which are added other cereals. Distillation is done in Coffey column stills and the result is a fresher and lighter distillate.


      Blended Scotch whisky


      A blend of 1 Single malt Scotch whisky and 1 Single Grain Scotch whisky. No percentages are specified, however if for vatted whisky we are talking about quality whisky, in this case the concept of blend is twisted in order to create distillates suited for a mass market.