How can you tell a good whiskey?

5 Factors to Have in Mind. While taste is subjective, there are a few characteristics that separate the good whiskey from the ordinary. Complexity of flavor, quality ingredients, distilling methods, smoothness, aging, and more all contribute to making whiskey “good”.


What should I look for in a whiskey tasting?

Take a couple of whiffs and try to let the aromas come to you, instead of you searching out for them. The heavier aromas, (earthy, smoky, woody, etc. aromas), will be at the bottom of the glass while the lighter aromas (Spicy, malty, fruity and floral aromas) will be higher in the glass.

What is the smoothest whisky to drink?

Smoothest Whiskies & Whiskeys
  • Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon.
  • Five Brothers Bourbon.
  • Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey.
  • Pikesville Straight Rye.
  • Russell's Reserve 6 Year Rye.
  • West Cork 8-Year Single Malt.
  • Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon.
  • Henry McKenna Single Barrel.


What are the 5 classifications of whiskey?

Here's where the main 5 whiskey types come from.
  • Scotch – Scotland.
  • Bourbon – USA.
  • Irish Whiskey – Ireland.
  • Canadian Whiskey – Canada.
  • Japanese Whisky – Japan.


What are the top 10 whiskeys?

Top 10 Whiskey
  • Angel's Envy Rum Cask Finished Rye Whiskey. ...
  • Crown Royal Blenders' Mash. ...
  • WhistlePig Whiskey Homestock. ...
  • Jameson 18 Year Old Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey. ...
  • Orphan Barrel Fable & Folly 14 Year Old Whiskey. ...
  • Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Aged Cask Strength Whisky. ...
  • Brenne Estate Cask French Single Malt Whisky.


Whiskey 101: What you should know to look like an expert



What is the smoothest whiskey for beginners?

Best Whiskey for Beginners
  • Bulleit Bourbon.
  • The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14.
  • Johnny Walker Red.
  • 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
  • Crown Royal.
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey.
  • Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky.
  • Hibiki Japanese Harmony.


What is the nicest tasting whiskey?

Here are some of the best whiskeys you can get your hands on now.
  • Best Overall: Four Roses Single Barrel. ...
  • Best Rye: Pikesville Straight Rye. ...
  • Best Bourbon: Henry Mckenna Single Barrel. ...
  • Best Scotch: The Balvenie DoubleWood. ...
  • Best Irish: West Cork 8-Year Single Malt. ...
  • Best Canadian: Lot No. ...
  • Best Japanese: Hakushu 12 Year Old.


Which brand whiskey is best?

The 15 best whisky of 2022
  • Glenmorangie Signet: Overall best whisky.
  • Macallan 12 Year Double Cask: Best value whisky.
  • Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Best tasting whisky.
  • Oban Distillers Edition Single Malt: Best sipping whisky.
  • Bowmore Islay: Best single malt Scotch whisky.
  • Buchanan's 12 Year Scotch: Best blended whisky.


What is the best top shelf whiskey?

10 Top Shelf Whiskey Bottles to Buy For Your Home Bar
  • The Macallan Double Cask 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky. ...
  • Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15-Year Old Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  • Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey. ...
  • Yamazaki 12-Year Single Malt Whisky. ...
  • Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. ...
  • Blanton's Single Barrel.


What does high quality whiskey taste like?

Some of the profiles that whiskey can have include smoky, fruity, nutty and chocolaty. No matter what, expect it to taste like alcohol because of its high alcoholic content. Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US are leading whiskey producers.

What do whiskey legs tell you?

“Legs” describe the droplets that form inside the glass after you swirl it. The number of droplets and how quickly they fall down the glass will tell you how high the alcohol content is in the whiskey. If the droplets are heavy, thick and move slowly down the glass, the whiskey has a higher Alcohol by Volume (ABV).


What whiskey says about your personality?

Whiskey is for the confident. The drink for the confident is whiskey. Your favourite pastime is entertaining others with stories from your life, and you don't consider happiness a temporary high.

What are the top 3 whiskeys?

Got it!
  • The world's top-rated whisky was Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. ...
  • Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  • Jameson Bow Street 18 YO Cask Strength Irish Blended Whiskey. ...
  • Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition Premium Tennessee Whiskey.


What are the top 5 whiskeys in America?

American Whiskies
  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye 92. ...
  • Few Flaming Lips Brainville Rye. ...
  • Michter's US*1 Original Sour Mash Whiskey / Gift Box. ...
  • New Riff Single Barrel Proof Bourbon (51.35%) ...
  • Westland Garryana 5th Edition / 2020 Release. ...
  • Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. ...
  • Jeptha Creed Straight Four Grain Bourbon.


What is the best whiskey to try first?

The Best Whiskey for Beginners, According to Bartenders:
  • Elijah Craig.
  • Buffalo Trace.
  • Larceny Bourbon.
  • Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond.
  • Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or.
  • Weller.
  • Macallan 18.
  • Suntory Toki.


Whats the most popular whiskey?

The 20 Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the Country (2022)
  1. Crown Royal Canadian Whisky.
  2. Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. ...
  3. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. ...
  4. Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  5. Jameson Irish Whiskey. ...
  6. Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky. ...
  7. Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  8. Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey. ...


Which whisky is best value for money?

These Are the 5 Best Value Whiskeys
  • Grand Old Parr 12 Years Old. Drizly. Scotch: Grand Old Parr 12 Years Old. ...
  • Evan Williams Single Barrel (a representative shot, not the 2014 edition) Drizly. ...
  • The Busker Triple Cask Triple Smooth. Drizly. ...
  • Roulette 4 Years Old Straight Rye. Proof and Wood. ...
  • Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. Drizly.


What are the 7 types of whiskey?

The 7 different types are as follows:
  • Scotch Whisky. Scotch whisky is aged in oak casks for at least 3 years. ...
  • Irish Whiskey. Is aged for at least 3 years, inside oak casks. ...
  • Bourbon. ...
  • Tennessee. ...
  • Rye. ...
  • Canadian Whisky. ...
  • Japanese Whisky. ...
  • The Harrow Whisky Festival.


What's better bourbon or scotch?

Bourbon tends to have sweeter, more mellow characteristics, with vanilla, oak, caramel, grain, nutmeg, and cinnamon notes. Scotch has a sharp, distinct flavor that's more of an acquired taste than bourbon. You'll find that blended Scotch is smoother and maltier with a spicy finish.

What's the difference between whiskey and bourbon?

Bourbon is always whiskey, but whiskey is not always bourbon. Bourbon has important distinctions that differentiate it from whiskey: it has to be made in the United States from at least 51% corn, be aged in new, charred American white oak barrels, and the finished product must be at least 80 proof.


What are the top 20 whiskeys?

Top 20 Whiskey Brands:
  • Johnnie Walker Whiskey. ...
  • Jameson Whiskey. ...
  • Maker's Mark Whiskey. ...
  • Evan Williams Whiskey. ...
  • Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. ...
  • Black Velvet Whiskey. Whiskey Type: Blended Whiskey. ...
  • Crown Royal Whiskey. Whiskey Type: Blended Canadian Whiskey. ...
  • Suntory Yamazaki Whiskey. Whiskey Type: Single Malt Whiskey.


Is it better to drink whiskey straight?

Enjoying whisky is wholly subjective, and the best way to drink whisky is the one that you prefer. Some whiskies are designed to be enjoyed neat and at room temperature, others to be activated with water, while cheaper whiskies are ideal as a cocktail base.

Is Jack Daniels a good beginner whiskey?

Reasonably enough, Jack Daniels is an excellent whiskey to start with, as it mixes up well with other beverages to enhance their taste for your palate.


What is the best whiskey in the world 2022?

Whiskey of the Year 2022: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (C922)

What type of people drink whisky?

WHISKY. If whisky is your signature drink, you are mature, deep and confident. You enjoy the mystery and intellect that comes with having a whisky neat, and the depth of a good whisky. Whisky drinkers likes sharing stories about your life, and are confident to do so even in a group setting.