Types of Whiskey: A Rundown of Flavors in the World of Whiskey

Whether you're a seasoned drinker of fine spirits or just beginning to explore the rich tapestry of flavors that whiskey has to offer, understanding the nuances between Bourbon, Scotch, American Whiskey, Rye, and more is a pursuit worth embarking upon. Each type of whiskey brings its own distinct history, regional characteristics, and tasting profiles that can transform a simple glass into a memorable experience.

If you're eager to deepen your appreciation for this timeless spirit, why not consider joining a community of like-minded individuals? The Taster's Club offers dedicated Whiskey, Bourbon, and Scotch clubs, providing you with curated selections that embody the essence of each style. It's an invitation to not just taste, but to immerse yourself in the world of whiskey, expanding your palate and knowledge with every sip. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect gift or seeking a new hobby, Taster's Club could be your passport to a world of exquisite flavors and aromas.

Looking for a curated whisk(ey) experience sent to your door every month then sign-up for one of our Clubs today. Our whiskey club sends whiskey from all around America's heartland, Bourbon features the best of today's award winning producers and our Scotch club has two levels to give a full tour around Scotland.

Type of Whisk(e)y

Scotch Whisky

Scotch must be distilled, aged, and bottled in Scotland, typically in one of five specific regions: Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay, or Speyside. The spirit is aged in oak casks for a minimum of three years. This Scotch whisky type receives its smoky character from peat – a dense moss lit on fire to dry the malted barley. As a result, Scotch’s flavor profile is more complex than other whiskies, especially when you start cataloging differences between single and blended malts.

American Whiskey

American whiskey is any whiskey distilled in the United States. Some of these, such as rye, wheat, and corn whiskies, are made with at least 51% of said grain. And two are unique only to the US: bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. We’ll get into each type, below.

Bourbon whiskey

Bourbon is usually made in Kentucky, but technically, it can be distilled anywhere in the US. There are many types of bourbon, each with specific characteristics. Producers of this type of whiskey must adhere to a few things in order to use the name bourbon, such as making it in the US with at least 51% corn. Once this is combined with the rest of the base ingredients – usually malted barley, rye, or wheat – yeast and water are added and the mixture is prepared for fermentation. It then gets strained prior to distillation, before being aged and bottled.

Bourbon tends to have a sweeter flavor than other styles of whiskey, with notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel. Some have intense flavors of baking spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, while others may taste more grainy.

Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey is considered a subtype of bourbon, lawfully produced in Tennessee. This type of American whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before being aged with a method called the Lincoln County Process. The process mellows out some of the harshness and gives the drink its unique flavor. You’ll taste some of the same toasted oak, caramel, and vanilla notes found in other whiskies with a hint of charcoal or burnt wood.

Rye whiskey

Rye whiskey contains at least 51% rye in its mash bill. If produced in the US, rye must be aged in newly charred oak barrels (like bourbon). As a result, rye is lighter-bodied than many other whiskies, often characterized by its tingly spiciness. Bitter and peppery like rye bread, rye whiskey packs a flavorful punch and used to be the American whiskey.

Straight whiskey

Liquor labeled “straight whiskey” is aged in new, charred oak for at least two years. It is any type of whiskey not classified as another American whiskey type like rye, bourbon, malt, or wheat.

On the other hand, you might see a term like “straight bourbon whiskey”. In this case, it means the product meets the specific requirements of both the whiskey type it was produced as (bourbon) and of straight whiskey (aged in new, charred oak for at least two years).

Wheat Whiskey

Wheat whiskey is primarily made of wheat grains. Filled with honey, vanilla, dried berries, spice, and toffee flavors, wheat whiskies are some of the smoothest whiskies around. They’re also known for their subtle sweetness, which helps them go down soft and easy.

Malt Whiskey

Single-malt whiskey comes from a single distillery and only contains one type of malted grain. A single-malt whiskey bottle may include whiskey from several different casks unless it’s a single-cask whiskey. The goal with a single malt is to achieve distinctive flavors that exemplify a single distillery’s style, but the flavor profiles range significantly across various regions.

Blended Whiskey

Blended whiskey is a mixture of one or more higher-quality, straight or single malt whiskies with other spirits and possibly other ingredients. Blended whiskies can also be made from single malts from more than one distillery.

Irish Whiskey

To qualify as Irish whiskey, a spirit must be produced from malt, cereal grain, and barley and distilled, aged, and bottled in Ireland. It must then be aged in wooden casks for a minimum of three years. Irish whiskey’s more subtle malt character is heightened most when the spirit is aged in less conventional barrels like sherry or rum casks.

Some of our favorite Irish whiskey brands include Redbreast and Glendalough.Try Redbreast’s 12-Year-Old Single Pot Irish Whiskey, with its copper pot triple-distilled malted and unmalted barley mash turned to complex, full flavors. Or, Glendalough’s Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, which offer sweet, smooth vanilla notes, along with dried fruit and Spanish oak spices.

Canadian Whisky

This type of whiskey must be produced and aged in Canada, be aged in wooden barrels for at least three years, and be bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Canadian whisky is often rye, so it can be spicy. Others have notes of brown sugar, oak, and vanilla. This whiskey type can also contain caramel and other flavorings, offering diverse flavor profiles.

Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky is bottled in Japan, but it isn’t necessarily distilled or aged there. It’s modeled after the Scotch tradition of double distilling malted and/or peated barley before aging it in wood barrels often made of indigenous Japanese oak. These whiskies tend to be drier, smokier, and peatier than others and come as single malts or blends.

With so many types of whiskey around the world and the drink being made in over 25 countries, the spirit offers plenty of variety and choice. From the handful of American whiskey expressions to Canadian whisky and classic Scotch, each with its own production methods, traditions, ingredients, and flavor characteristics, there’s something for every preference and palate. But, if you find this a bit overwhelming and aren’t sure where to begin, don’t worry you don't have to commit to a club but shop our Whiskey collection in the Bottle Shop.