Scotch, bourbon, and whiskey are all types of distilled spirits, but they differ in terms of ingredients, production processes, and flavor profiles.
Ingredients
Scotch is a type of whiskey made in Scotland with malted barley as the primary grain. The barley is usually dried over a peat fire, which imparts a smoky flavor to the whiskey. In addition to barley, other grains, such as corn, wheat, and rye, may be used.
Bourbon is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn as the primary grain. It may also contain other grains, such as rye, wheat, and barley. The grains are usually mashed and fermented with yeast before being distilled.
Whiskey is a broad term for any type of spirit distilled from grain mash. It is made all over the world, with different countries having their own unique regulations and recipes. Whiskey can be made from barley, corn, rye, wheat, and other grains.
Production Processes
The production process for scotch, bourbon, and whiskey is essentially the same. The grains are first mashed and fermented with yeast to create a liquid known as “wash.” The wash is then distilled to produce a clear liquid known as “distillate.” Finally, the distillate is aged in oak barrels for several years to develop flavor.
Scotch must be aged in oak barrels in Scotland for at least three years. The barrels are usually charred before they are filled with the distillate. This charring gives the scotch a smoky flavor.
Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels in the United States for at least two years. The barrels are usually stored in warehouses known as “rickhouses” where the bourbon is exposed to extreme temperatures, which helps to develop flavor.
Whiskey can be aged in oak barrels for different lengths of time, depending on the country of origin. In general, whiskey is aged for at least three years, but some types may be aged for up to 20 years or more.
Flavor Profiles
Scotch has a smoky flavor due to the peat-dried malted barley used in the production process. The flavor is typically described as “peaty” or “smoky.”
Bourbon has a sweet, smooth flavor due to the corn used in the production process. The flavor is typically described as “sweet” or “caramel.”
Whiskey has a wide range of flavors, depending on the type and country of origin. Generally, whiskey has a smooth, buttery flavor with notes of oak, vanilla, and spice.
Conclusion
Scotch, bourbon, and whiskey are all types of distilled spirits, but they differ in terms of ingredients, production processes, and flavor profiles. Scotch is made in Scotland with malted barley, bourbon is made in the United States with at least 51% corn, and whiskey is a broad term for any type of spirit distilled from grain mash. The production process for all three is essentially the same and involves mashing, fermentation, distillation, and aging. Scotch has a smoky flavor, bourbon has a sweet, smooth flavor, and whiskey has a wide range of flavors.
