Whisky Knowledge
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Vintage whisky: definition & characteristics, differences with wine vintage, pros & cons
Definition & characteristics Most whiskies are made by blending multiple whiskies distilled at different times and aged for different lengths. By contrast, to be labeled “vintage,” a whisky must be made only from spirits distilled in the specific year. That means the components of a vintage release are all distilled in the same year and…
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Which Is Better: Older or Newer Whisky? Aroma and flavor differences, why older bottles can be better, how to find them, and how to open them
Aroma and Flavor Differences Between Older and Newer Bottles As I keep mentioning, whisky is a very sensitive liquor. Every cask in a maturation warehouse has its own flavor. Because of that, producing whisky with an absolute identical taste is close to impossible. For that reason, older and newer bottles made at different times will…
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Whisky Age Statements: Labeling Standards, Differences by Country and Climate, and How Whisky Changes With Age
Age Statement Labeling Standards Many people either don’t know much about whisky age statements or misunderstand them. Common misconceptions include thinking that the age shown on a whisky label applies to every drop in the bottle, or confusing it with a wine vintage. First, let me explain what an age statement on the label actually…
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How Whisky Is Made: Ingredients and Their Characteristics, Production Process, and Sales
Ingredients and their characteristics The ingredients used to make whisky include malt, grain, corn, rye, and wheat. Below is an explanation of each ingredient’s characteristics. First is malt. Malt is generally barley that has gone through the malting process. Malting consists of germination and drying. Barley grains are soaked in water to encourage germination, during…
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Why Whisky Is Expensive in Korea: Specific Tax vs. Ad Valorem Tax, Reasons and Controversies, and the Future Direction
Specific Tax vs. Ad Valorem Tax A “specific tax” is a tax that uses a product’s quantity or weight as the basis for taxation. Because of that, it is not affected, no matter how high the price is. The opposite concept is an “ad valorem tax.” An ad valorem tax is a tax imposed on…
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How to Store Whisky: Shelf Life, Location and Temperature, Storage Methods
Whisky Shelf Life Whisky is a distilled spirit with an alcohol content of at least 40%. Because it is an environment where germs or bacteria cannot reproduce, it cannot spoil if stored properly. Thanks to that, whisky does not have an expiration date. This is one of whisky’s biggest advantages. However, the fact that it…
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What Is Whisky: History and Characteristics, Types, and How to Taste
The History and Characteristics of Whisky The history of whisky begins with the alchemy of Mesopotamia. Later, the whisky we know today was created by Irish and Scottish monks and became a world-famous spirit. Whisky used to be called the Gaelic “uisce beatha” (OOSH-guh BAH-huh), meaning “water of life.” There is a fairly reasonable hypothesis…