Are you a whiskey enthusiast? Is whiskey your go-to at the end of the work night or work week? If so, you are are not alone.
In 2017, whiskey sales grew 8.1% to a whopping 3.4 billion dollars in the U.S., per the Distilled Spirits Council.
Read on to learn some whisky facts you can share with your favorite drinking companions.
Whisky Facts
Whiskey, also referred to as the “water of life” in Scotland has lots of fun facts in its history. But learning all about whiskey is a joy many will learn in sips over a lifetime.
Because whiskey makers use a variety of stills and grains, there are many to explore in order to find your personal favorites. Some love the smokiness of the peat in their whiskeys while others prefer theirs without.
1. Oldest Whisky Distillery
Old Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. It is located in Ireland and has been creating its iconic whiskey since 1608.
Buffalo Trace in Kentucky has been producing whiskey the longest in the U.S. They started back in 1773.
2. Whiskey or Whisky?
When reading about or shopping for whiskey, it’s not surprising to see it spelled differently.
The two spellings come from Ireland and Scotland. Ireland calls their’s whiskey, while the Scots use whisky. Irish immigrants brought the name whiskey to the United States where is still used today.
The rest of the world uses whisky on their spirits.
3. U.S. Whiskey Festivals
Whiskey has become so popular that there are now festivals dedicated to its staunchest enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
They are a great place to gain whiskey knowledge and explore the pleasures of many different brands and styles of whiskey produced in the U.S., including Maverick Whiskey.
You’ll be sure to find a few new favorites to add to your collection.
4. Angels Can’t Wait for Their Share
During the distillation process, a minimum of 1% of the whiskey in wooden barrels can evaporate out per year. This loss is called the Angel’s Share.
While this may make some people sad to know there is less whiskey coming out of the barrel, it is all part of the process.
In the end, the whiskey loses some of the less desirable flavors (such as sulfur) and gains the smoothness we’ve all grown to love.
5. Adding Water to Whiskey
Many people prefer their whiskey “neat”, that is, without the addition of water. But there are good reasons for adding a bit of water to your whiskey. Water can help open up the flavor.
How much to add is a personal choice, of course.
Try a drop or two of room temperature water and see how it muffles the alcohol bloom a bit. It should allow you to more easily taste the subtler notes of the whiskey lingering under the surface.
You can even water your whiskey down more if you prefer your drink to be a lower proof. Or to bring two whiskeys to the same proof for a fairer taste comparison.
Experiment. You may just find the mix that makes your favorite whiskey even more stellar.
So Grab a Glass and Read On
Many people love sipping a great whiskey while relaxing after a long day.
So the next time you’re enjoying your favorite, come visit us again and learn some more great whisky facts, and check out some other great articles about health, fitness and lifestyle topics.
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