Spirits Areas

  • Malt whisky

    A spirit made from malted barley, subsequently brewed into beer and then distilled, usually in single batches in a pot still. It has been said that Scots make so much beer into whisky because it is so bad. The whisky must age for at least three years before it can legally be sold. No new barrels are permitted, with most Malt aging in former Bourbon casks, a minority on former sherry casks. A very...

  • Grain whisky

    Grain whisky is the basis of most blended scotch and is usually made in the south of Scotland in continuous stills and aged in Bourbon or Sherry barrels. A tiny amount is bottled as single grain, but this is rare. (CW 23/01/12)

  • Irish whiskey

    Irish whiskey with an e is mostly a blended product and mostly triple distilled, where Scotch is mostly double distilled. This renders the Irish product slightly smoother, but also slightly blander. The industry is highly concentrated and there only four distilleries, all producing several brands. (CW 23/01/12)

  • Bourbon

    This American whiskey need not be made in Kentucky but must be at least 51% corn, though in practice most comfortably exceed this. It must be aged for at least two years though much longer is desirable. (CW 23/01/12)

  • Brandy - Cognac

    Cognac is an area north of the wine producing areas of Bordeaux` right bank. The production is mostly from Colombard and Ugni Blanc, vinified and twice distilled in pot stills before aging. There are various categories with minimum age limits. VSOP (very special old Pale) must be at least four years in cask, while XO must be at least six, though this will change in 2016 to ten years. Production...

  • Brandy - Armagnac

    Armagnac is nowadays the poor cousin of Cognac, but prior to the second World War it was the brandy of choice. The grape varieties are Baco 22A, Colombard, Ugni Blanche and Folle Blanche and it grows mostly on chalky clay soils. The grapes are vinified, then distillation takes place in a continuous still, rather than a pot, as in Cognac. The oak used tends to the larger pored, so maturation is...

  • Brandy - Calvados

  • Marc & grappa

  • Gin

  • Vodka

  • Other spirits

  • Blended Whisky

    Blended Whisky is a skillful amalgam of grain and malt spirit.