Culture

Understanding The Major Categories Of Whiskey

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2023

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Whiskey is one of the great treats in life. Once the most popular spirit, it lost ground to vodka in the 70s and 80s but is making a resurgence. Estimated to be a $66.5 billion industry in 2022, whiskey of all kinds has demonstrated massive growth, with several major whiskey categories doubling their outputs over the past 10 years. Scotch, however, is the biggest seller worldwide, with total sales amounting to more than American, Irish, and Japanese whiskeys combined. Here is some help in understanding the major catergories of whiskey.

All whiskeys are made from grain fermented and then distilled. When whiskey goes in the bottle, it has to be at least 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). With some exceptions, it’s aged in wooden barrels, although exactly what kind and for how long varies around the world. Variations in mash bill (the fancy term for the types of grain go in a whiskey), barrel type, aging time, and distillation technique are what account for the enormous breadth of this wonderful spirit.

Before we go any further, a quick word on spelling (there’s more detail here, if you’re interested): generally speaking, whiskey refers to American and Irish spirits, while whisky refers to a spirit made in Scotland, Canada, Japan, or anywhere else in the world. Personally, when referring to the spirit in general, I default to whiskey, simply because I speak and write in American English.

Scotch

The first written record of whiskey production, dating to 1494, comes from Scotland, and the country continues, in many ways, to be the center of the whiskey world (don’t @ me, bourbon fans). There are two basic kinds of Scotch whisky: malt and grain. Malt whisky is made only from malted barley. Grain whisky also includes other grains, like corn or wheat. The other legal distinction in the scotch category is between blended whiskies and single malt/grain whiskies. A single malt or single grain whisky is made at a single distillery; blended whiskies are made at multiple distilleries and mixed together.

Scotch can only be made in Scotland. It’s aged in used barrels—which may have originally held bourbon, wine, or port—for at least three years. Scotch is bottled at a minimum 40% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Generally speaking, Scotch blenders aim for a product which is consistent and drinkable. While there are plenty of good blended whiskies out there, Scotch snobs typically think of single malts as more interesting because each region and each distillery has a distinctive character (although it may be changing). Indeed, there’s quite a wide variation in the world of single malts, from lighter, fruit- or grain-forward drams to aggressive, peaty expressions heavy on salty and medicinal flavors. The list of most expensive whiskies in the world is always dominated by single malt Scotch.

Irish Whiskey

The word whiskey comes from the Irish phrase uisce beatha, or “water of life,” and the Irish are typically credited with being the first whiskey distillers. Just like their neighbors in Scotland, the Irish distinguish malt whiskey from grain whiskey

Scotch and Irish whiskey are different in several ways. One is Irish malt is very rarely smoked over peat, meaning it lacks the smoky, savory components of peated scotch. Another is the existence, in Ireland, of a category called pot still whiskey, which is made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley. “Green” barley contributes an added dimension of flavor which sets pot still whiskeys apart both from scotch and other Irish whiskeys.

Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Irish whiskey must be made in Ireland or Northern Ireland. In terms of taste, Irish whiskeys vary widely, from grassy to grainy to bourbon-like.

American Whiskeys

These days, thanks to the craft whiskey renaissance of the last fifteen years, the variety of whiskey styles made in the United States is as diverse as our great nation’s population. Historically, though, the landscape has been dominated by two categories: bourbon and rye.

Both styles have several things in common. Chief among their similarities is they must both be aged in new, charred oak barrels, a major source of flavor and aroma in America’s native whiskeys (remember scotch is always aged in used barrels).

Bourbon, which is by far the more popular category, is historically associated with Kentucky, which remains the seat of the American whiskey industry. Contrary to the popular imagination, however, bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States. Bourbon must be made with at least 51% corn, with the remaining 49% being some combination of other grains—typically malted barley and either rye or wheat. It’s a good entry point to whiskey for many drinkers, as its flavor profile tends to be sweet, leaning toward caramel, vanilla, soft spices, and wood.

Rye whiskey is bourbon’s northern counterpart, and although it’s long played second fiddle to bourbon in terms of sales, it’s been making a comeback in recent years. Rye, as you probably guessed, has to be made with at least 51% rye, with the remainder, again, being up to the distiller, but usually consisting of malted barley and corn. Rye grain imparts distinctive spice and fruit notes, making rye whiskey more assertive than its mellow southern cousin.

There are a number of other categories of American whiskey. They include Tennessee whiskey, which is essentially bourbon made in Tennessee and filtered through charcoal. Wheat whiskey is, you guessed it, made with mostly wheat. And blended whiskey—well, it’s a whole different thing.

Canadian Whiskey

Many whiskey drinkers turn up their noses at Canadian whisky, which is often viewed as inferior to Scotch or bourbon. But the fact is, our neighbors to the north have also been distilling for a long time, and history has yielded a distinctive style.

Most Canadian whiskies contain a lot of corn, just like bourbon. However, that’s where the similarities end. Canadian whisky has to be aged at least three years, a requirement which doesn’t exist for bourbon. There are also no restrictions on the type of barrel used—they can be new or used, charred or uncharred. In general, Canadian whisky is lighter, smoother, and less flavorful than American whiskey, which is the source of the snobbery around this spirit.

Finally, it should be noted Canadians commonly refer to all Canadian whisky as “rye,” for historical reasons. Canadian rye is not the same as American rye—it often doesn’t contain any actual rye grain.

Japanese Whiskey

With North America and the British Isles covered, we’re left with one other important whiskey region: Japan. Japanese whisky is similar to Scotch in most respects, because the industry’s pioneers modeled their product on Scotch. Commercial whisky distilling in Japan started in the 1920s.

Just like with Scotch, you’ll find both blended and single malt Japanese whiskies, and although this is a relatively young category, its profile is growing internationally.

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Cannabis

Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

Published

16 hours ago

March 28, 2025

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The federal administration is all over the board around fed cannabis policy…and millions of patients are worried.

The industry employees over 440,000 workers at all lives and is driven in a large part by mom and pop businesses. Millions use medical marijuana for health issues ranging from chronic pain to sleep. But there are mixed messages from the feds about cannabis, and people are very worried. The federal government’s stance on marijuana has become increasingly complex, as recent developments show conflicting approaches to the drug’s potential benefits and risks. On one hand, there’s a push for research into medical marijuana for veterans, while on the other, a campaign against cannabis use is being launched.

The juxtaposition of initiatives highlights the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy. While some departments are exploring the potential benefits of cannabis, others are actively working to discourage its use. This dichotomy is further exemplified by ongoing legislative efforts. For instance, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it’s legal. Meanwhile, documents from an ongoing lawsuit suggest that the DEA may have weighted the marijuana rescheduling process to ensure rejection of moving the drug from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated nearly $10 million in funding for research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA for active-duty military members. This initiative, driven by congressional efforts, aims to explore MDMA’s effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) expressed pride in this development, stating that it could be a “game-changer” for service members battling these combat-related injuries.

Additionally, a bipartisan effort in Congress has been pushing for VA research on medical marijuana for PTSD and other conditions affecting veterans. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, introduced in both the Senate and House, would mandate studies on how cannabis affects the use of addictive medications and impacts various health outcomes for veterans.

In stark contrast to these research initiatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has partnered with an anti-cannabis nonprofit to launch a social media campaign targeting young people. The campaign, set to run ahead of April 20 (4/20), aims to “flood” Instagram with anti-cannabis content. The DEA is offering monetary incentives to students for creating and posting anti-THC videos, with payments ranging from $25 to $50 depending on the type of content produced.

This approach has raised eyebrows, as it seems to contradict the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana across the United States. Critics argue that such campaigns may be out of touch with current societal trends and scientific understanding of cannabis.

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Cannabis

How Hemp Helps You Sleep

Published

17 hours ago

March 28, 2025

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Not everyone has access to marijuana to help them sleep – good news, hemp is available.

it’s estimated 50 to 70 million Canadian and American adults experience sleep disorders or disturbances, and about one-third of adults don’t regularly get the recommended amount. Hemp has emerged as a promising natural remedy for those seeking better sleep. With its calming properties and potential to address various sleep-related issues, hemp-derived products are gaining popularity among individuals looking to improve their rest. Here is how hemp helps you sleep.

RELATED: Mike Johnson And Marijuana

Hemp contains several compounds contributing to better sleep quality. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of hemp, has shown potential in promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, which can often interfere with a good night’s rest. Studies suggest that CBD may help individuals fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep disturbances throughout the night.

When formulated and used properly, preliminary research and user reports suggest that hemp gummies improve subjective sleep quality. Users of quality hemp sleep gummies report feeling more rested, a better quality of sleep and fewer awakenings in the night. However, clinical research has shown that over consumption of THC negatively impacts the quality of sleep, especially with long term use.

Wana Brands has launched a hemp sleeping product nationally, Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation shared the following about how it works. Naturally hemp-derived sleep gummies contain the same cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and THC as cannabis or marijuana. These ingredients interact with receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, stress, and sleep-wake cycles. For example, CBD may promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, CBN can relieve discomfort and reduce awakenings, while THC can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, especially at low doses. Together, they may help ease the mind and body into a sleep-ready state.

The best sleep products don’t rely on just one cannabinoid like CBN but instead use a combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other sleep-supporting ingredients such as melatonin. This is because the reasons for sleeplessness are multifaceted, and include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, chronic, pain and anxiety. Each ingredient targets different root causes as well as synergizes with the other cannabinoids and terpenes for the best night sleep.

Longer lasting formulations can actually help reduce awakenings in the night. CBN has been shown in recent research to reduce the number of times you wake up in the night. Combined with other cannabinoids they can synergize to reduce discomfort and anxiety helping consumers stay asleep.

If you do wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep products including CBD and CBG to reduce middle of the night anxiety and racing thoughts that can keep us awake, and they have only 1mg of THC so you wake up refreshed and not high in the morning.

For most people, hemp-derived cannabinoids are considered safe and non-intoxicating, with a low risk of dependence. When THC is included in small amounts, it can produce mild effects and can help us fall asleep faster. It generally poses a minimal risk when used in moderation, but there is a potential for dependence if overused, just like with any sleep aid. Adverse events are far more prevalent in pharmaceutical and even over the counter sleep aids than with hemp-derived cannabinoids.

The key is responsible use, including starting with a low dose and taking breaks when needed. If you rely on it every night at high doses, your body may adjust, and it can be habitual. But when used in moderation and with a well-balanced formula, cannabis can be a sustainable part of a healthy sleep routine.

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Burgundy

This Wine Issue Is Becoming More Common

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2025

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Wine is one of the popular drinks in the world,

Roughly 75% of adults worldwide drink wine, with a significant portion consuming it regularly, and the US wine market sees a substantial number of people drinking wine and refining their taste. In fact, mearly half of adults (44%) drink at least a couple of glasses per week. But this wine issue is becoming more common, Charles Rice, Executive Director of the Wine Education Council shares the following.

Imagine attending a wine tasting, only to discover an unpleasant surprise with one of the bottle. It is bitter and even a little medicinal; it is starting and upsets the balance of the really brings down the whole room and spoils what could have been a lovely evening. This uninvited guest is called ‘smoke taint’ and it a direct result of the increase in wildfires affecting many of the world’s top wine-growing regions. Let’s pour ourselves a glass and explore how this unwanted visitor is crashing the party and what the industry is doing to air out the room.

Smoke taint is like a bad hangover for grapes—it leaves them feeling a bit burned. When wildfires rage nearby, mature and growing grapes absorb volatile compounds, imparting an ashy, smoky flavor to the wine. It’s not just a surface issue: these compounds penetrate deep, forming glycosides that release their smokiness during fermentation. The result? Wines that taste more like a campfire or a doctor’s office than a sophisticated vintage. It’s a “grape” big disappointment!

Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are fueling longer and more intense fire seasons. This means more frequent and severe wildfires, especially in regions like California, Oregon, and Australia—some of the world’s top wine-producing areas. The impact is twofold: not only do fires directly damage vineyards, but the smoke also compromises grape quality, leaving winemakers feeling crushed. It’s a drain on their passion, and their profits.

Fortunately, researchers are working tirelessly to find ways to put a cork in the problem and coming up with some innovative solutions. Synthetic materials called ‘molecularly imprinted polymers’ can selectively remove smoky compounds from wine without stripping away desirable flavors and aromas. Activated carbon has been shown to be effective but can also remove some of the good stuff. It’s akin to using a broad-spectrum filter that catches both the smoke and some of the wine’s natural charm. Interestingly, producing sparkling wine from smoke-affected grapes is another creative workaround. The carbonation process can mask some of the smoky flavors, turning a potential loss into a bubbly opportunity.

Smoke taint is undoubtedly uninvited guest when it comes to wine in the age of climate change, but the wine industry is not going to complain too much about sour grapes. With innovative solutions and a dash of creativity, winemakers are finding ways to keep the party going. So, the next time you sip a glass of wine, remember the uninvited guest that might have been there, but thanks to science and ingenuity, didn’t ruin the party.

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