Whiskeys have been an essential part of the alcoholic beverage industry for centuries. From their humble beginnings as a simple distilled alcohol beverage to today’s sophisticated cocktail culture, whiskeys have come a long way. But where will they be in 20 years? With the ever-changing wine and spirits industry, there is no telling what types of innovations will come our way in the next two decades. The whiskies that come to mind when you think of whiskies are usually drinks that are high in alcohol and are therefore unsuitable for everyday consumption. Scotch, the world’s most famous and widely consumed whisky, has been the target of much criticism in the past for its high concentration of alcohol. But all that is set to change with the entry of distilleries in new regions such as bourbon and whiskey, which are less intoxicating than scotch but just as potent. If you’re looking to explore the world of whiskies, explore the top 10 whiskies you should try.
Canadian whisky
You’ve probably heard about the trend of “crafting whiskies,” which is when distilleries age their whiskies in small batches. The idea is to create a flavour profile different from that of the vast majority of whiskies that are mass produced. You can try Canadian whisky from St. Louis and Canadian whiskey from Ontario’s Lake Erie, but the most famous and best-selling Canadian whisky is undoubtedly Camil CND, which is made in Quebec. The Camil CND whisky is not only one of the most popular whiskies in Canada, it’s also exported around the world.
Irish whiskey
Aromas of sweet spices, dried fruits, and bitter almonds fill the air at Irish Distillers, the largest Irish whiskey maker. The Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim is another Irish whiskey maker famous for its scotch-like character. The Irish whiskey market is expected to grow at a rapid pace over the next few years, as more people discover how versatile and affordable Irish whiskey is.
Bourbon
The king of all whiskeys, nobody knows bourbon better than bourbon makers. The Kentucky bourbon industry has long been a major player in the global wine and spirits trade, and it’s only going to get more competitive as global demand for bourbon grows. Bourbon is made from fermented Willie Wonka-like sweet whiskey with a strong emphasis on natural ingredients. Many people think of bourbon as an American drink, but it’s actually a uniquely American spirit. You can try Devil’s Foot, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, and several other popular bourbons, but our top pick is the high-quality and award-winning Wild Turkey.
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is perhaps the most famous (and most misunderstood) of all whiskies. Like other Scotts, the Black 103 at Cask-Art is a single malt that is rich in flavour and character, with notes of toffee and chocolate. Many people think of Scotch as being heavily fortified with whisky, but in fact many whiskies produced in this region are much less dense than the majority of Scotch whiskys sold abroad. You can try several different types of scotch, but our top pick is the St. Antonil’s which is made in the Highlands of Scotland.
American whiskey
The United States’ leading whisky brand is Maker’s Mark, which is made by Mason & Dixon in northern Virginia. The Maker’s Mark brand has long been associated with Crafting whiskies, which is when distilleries age their whiskies in small batches. But the brand is now more than just a whiskey — it’s also a lifestyle brand with products like coffee, maple syrup, and even a sleep aid. The brand has a huge following among bothcivilian and law enforcement enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why with products like the Sleepy Time for Warriors snack.
Baltic whiskey
No list of whiskies would be complete without a Baltic whiskey, and the perfect one to start with is the Grand Baltte LPA. The Grand Baltte LPA is Hungarian and produced in the region known as PIL (and not to be confused with the Russian vodka Pobeda). The PIL whiskies are known for their rich, creamy taste and their ability to balance sweet and savory flavours. Try a mouthful of the delicious sweet PIL, followed by a taste of the savory SLS.
Whisky: the new spirit of the 21st century?
Although whisky has been around since the 18th century and is still widely consumed in many parts of the world, it’s only in the past couple of decades that it’s seen a true Bavarian revival. The popularity of German beer and the advent of Pilsner Urquell as an everyday drink in Germany has led to a demand for high-quality, traditional-style ales and lagers. In response, biotechnology is being used to create high-quality versions of old-fashioned, authentic ales, lagers, and perrys. These “new” types of beer and spirits, along with whiskies from new regions like bourbon and rye, offer up a fascinating future for whiskies. If you’re looking to explore the world of whiskies, explore the top 10 whiskies you should try.
Summary
Whisky has been an essential part of the alcoholic beverage industry for centuries. From their humble beginnings as a simple distilled alcohol beverage to today’s sophisticated cocktail culture, whiskeys have come a long way. But where will they be in 20 years? With the ever-changing wine and spirits industry, there is no telling what types of innovations will come our way in the next two decades. The whiskies that come to mind when you think of whiskies are usually high in alcohol and are therefore unsuitable for everyday consumption. Scotch, the world’s most famous and widely consumed whisky, has been the target of much criticism in the past for its high concentration of alcohol. But all that is set to change with the entry of distilleries in new regions such as bourbon and whiskey, which are less intoxicating than scotch but just as potent. If you’re looking to explore the world of whiskies, explore the top 7 whiskies you should try.