Whiskey

Bourbon and bourbon whiskey are the same thing; “bourbon” is simply the shorter name. Bourbon is a specific American whiskey made from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. Whiskey is the broader global family, so every bourbon belongs in a whiskey collection, but not every whiskey qualifies as bourbon.

Scotch whisky is a type of whisky made in Scotland from water, yeast, and cereals such as malted barley. It must be distilled and matured in Scotland, aged in oak casks for at least three years, and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume. The category includes malt whiskey, grain whiskey, and blends of the two.

Whiskey is commonly mixed with club soda or sparkling water, ginger ale, ginger beer, cola, lemonade, apple juice, or cider. Soda keeps the drink light and lets more whiskey character show, while ginger or cola makes it sweeter. For a classic cocktail, whiskey can be combined with lemon and simple syrup in a Whiskey Sour, or with sweet vermouth and bitters in a Manhattan.

Whiskey does not expire in the traditional sense, though its flavor and aroma can change after opening. A sealed bottle can last indefinitely when stored properly, while air exposure in an opened bottle may gradually flatten or fade its character. Keep whiskey upright in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and major temperature shifts.

Whiskey can taste sweet, woody, spicy, fruity, floral, smoky, earthy, or dry, depending on the bottle. Common notes include caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, oak, black pepper, cinnamon, citrus, apples, and dried fruit. Many pours also have a strong, warming alcohol character at first. Grain choice and barrel aging help account for the wide range across a whiskey collection.