The correct spelling depends on who you ask.
You'll see whiskey spelled both with and without an "e," and it comes down to the liquor's country of origin. Traditionally, Scotland and Canada have used the "whisky" spelling, while Ireland added the extra "e" — something America picked up. Here's an easy trick to remembering: Countries with an "e" in their name — Ireland, America — tend to add the letter; countries without it — Scotland, Japan, Canada — leave it out.
A lot of alcohol falls under the umbrella of whiskey.
Plain ol' whiskey is defined as a distilled alcohol made from fermented grain mash, like corn, barley, wheat, and rye. It's given different names depending on what grains are used and where the alcohol is produced. These are the three big ones you've heard of and the legal requirements they must meet.
Bourbon must be produced in the U.S. and contain a grain mixture of at least 51 percent. It must be aged in new, charred-oak containers.
Rye is another American-made spirit, and, like its name suggests, it needs to contain 51 percent or more rye grain. It must be aged in oak barrels, and it's known to taste spicier than other whiskeys.
Scotch is a product of Scotland, and must be both distilled and bottled there. It's required to age in oak casks for no less than three years.
One kind of whiskey was illegal until 2010.
Moonshine has been a staple of the south for centuries, and when the taxes on it grew, so did illegal production. You probably know it for its reputation as "white lightening," a clear, unaged whiskey with a super high alcohol content that's made at home and bottled in mason jars. In 2010, counties in the region began legalizing it. And now they are even producing it in crazy flavors like pumpkin pie.
It can last forever.
According to Jameson's master distiller, unopened bottles that are kept out of direct sunlight can theoretically last forever. The sun doesn't make alcohol undrinkable, but it can affect the taste.
If you're not adding water to whiskey, you're missing out.
A study that came out this year concluded that adding water to whiskey should make it taste better. The theory is that when you add H2O, the molecules responsible for whiskey's taste and smell come to the surface, so you get a good whiff and flavor up front with every sip.
Drinking it is nice, but you should eat whiskey, too.
It's known among chefs that alcohol — like salt — can bring out the unique flavors of a dish. (It cooks off, so you won't get a buzz.) We've got a ton of recipes for you to try, or you can buy the fruits of someone else's labor. Our favorite: pickles brined in whiskey.
BUY NOW: Whiskey Sour Pickles by Brooklyn Brine, $13; Amazon.com.
It's been sent to the moon.
In 2011, a Scottish distillery sent a vial to the International Space Station (ISS) to see if it'd age differently in space. It did, slower. Then four years later, not to be outdone, Japan sent six samples to the ISS. They still haven't publicized the results of their experiment.
Whiskey is in the world's most popular cocktail.
According to a survey of the world's best bars by Drinks International, the Old Fashioned remains everyone's favorite drink. It's typically made with bourbon, Angostura bitters, and sugar. The Manhattan, whiskey sour, and Sazerac — all made with types of whiskey — made it into the top 10, too.
Jack Daniel's reigns supreme.
The brand is well-known for its Tennessee Whiskey, a type made in Tennessee that's at least 51 percent corn, with the rest of the mash consisting of rye, barley, and wheat. In 2016, Jack sold 12.49 million cases, amounting to more than a reported $230 million in sales. That makes it the best-seller, above Fireball and Jameson.
Fireball is far from the strangest flavor.
The cinnamon-y bottle might be the most famous, but whiskey makers aren't letting vodka have all the fun. Pie-inspired tipples are popular, like this pumpkin pie moonshine, and a trio of whiskeys flavored like apple, cherry, and pecan pie. Then there's the fruity stuff: salty watermelon whiskey and a roasted pineapple flavored one. And finally, just good ol' head-scratchers, including salted caramel and chocolate versions.
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