what are the different types of whiskey?

whiskey, or "whisky" as it is also known, is a type of distilled spirit made up of grains like corn, wheat and barley. There are many different types of whiskey all over the world, each with its own distinct flavor and character. Knowing what they are can help you appreciate this popular distilled spirit even more.

The most common type of whiskey is Scotch whisky, which must be made in Scotland to officially be called such. Scotch whisky is often thought of as a luxury since it must meet certain requirements: It must be aged for at least three years in oak casks, and many are aged for much longer than this. These whiskies tend to have a smoky flavor from the malt used in their production that has been dried over burning peat.

Another popular type of whiskey is Irish whiskey, which can range from lighter and sweeter styles to more complex and smoky offerings. Irish whiskey is usually triple-distilled making it smoother than other types. It must also be made in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland and must have an alcohol content of at least 40%.

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey best known for its sweet caramel notes due to the fact that it's primarily made from corn rather than rye or wheat. It also has to contain at least 51% corn when it's produced, and again aged in charred oak barrels for between two-four years before being bottled.

Rye whiskey was historically associated with Canada but today can be made anywhere around the world. It must contain at least 51%% rye grain in order to use the name "rye" when bottling a whiskey product. Rye whiskey tends to contain distinctive spice notes that make it ideal for serving as an Old Fashioned or sipping neat.

Finally there's Tennessee whiskey, which needs to abide by very similar rules as bourbon by only being produced within Tennessee except with an added step — charcoal mellowing — before it can gain its distinctive flavor profile. This will reduce most impurities long before bottling resulting in sweet woody notes that make Tennessee whiskey very popular among aficionados the world over!