Introduction To Whiskey

To me, whiskey is like experiencing a little bit of history.

Here’s some quick things to know… “Whiskey” – Alcoholic beverage distilled from fermented grain mash, aged in oak barrels and bottle at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume.

A little bit of History…

• Whiskey is recognized as the world’s 1st spirit
• Whiskey originated in Ireland in the fifth century, but Scotch whiskey dominated the world market when the French Cognac vineyards was destroyed by a plague in the 1870′s.
• In the 1600s and 1700′s the idea of grain distillation traveled to Canada and American, where bourbon, whiskey, and ryes started to be produced.
• Whiskey is made from grain, water, and yeast. The quality of each gives whiskey its different flavors.

The process: Milling and Mashing the grain – Fermentation – Distillation (with a pot still or continuous still) – then Matured (Aged) in oak barrels.

Types of whiskey:

• Scotch whiskey = generally uses malted barley, toasted over “peat” (bricks of decomposed plant material). This process gives Scotch whiskey its “smokey” flavors. Malted barley is a whole other topic that I will go over another day.
• Irish whiskey = full flavor, smooth because it is distilled 3 times, aged 3 years in used oak barrels.
• Canadian whiskey = light and soft flavors, with a sweet edge. Aged 3 to 6 years. All Canadian whiskey is blends. Popular during the USA Prohibition.
• American whiskey = Strong, sweet, aged in NEW charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. (Charred oak gives the flavors of vanilla, sweet toast, and caramel.)
• Bourbon = named after Bourbon County, KY – can be made anywhere in the USA. Must be at least 51% corn. Not bottled below 80 proof.
• Tennessee whiskey = (like Jack Daniels) is filtered thru sugar-maple charcoal. Slight smoke flavor.
• Rye Whiskey – Traditional to North America. Used for blending, but can be enjoyed by itself. Made from at least 51% rye. Complex flavors – great for cocktails. Not bottled below 80 proof.

Terms:

• When you see the term “aged 10yrs” this refers to the youngest whiskey used in the blending batch.
• “Straight” whiskey = means its made from at least 51% of a particular grain.
• “Single Barrel” or “Single Batch” = an unblended whiskey, straight from the barrel.

At the Broken Bit Steakhouse, our beverage list consist of 6 bourbon and rye based cocktails, 30+ bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes, as well as our famous Broken Bit Flights: (4) 0.5 oz shots of various whiskeys.

Serving Suggestion: Whiskey, bourbon, or rye can be enjoyed by itself (straight) or in classic cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashions. We suggest to add a few drops of water into your glass. This “opens up” the whiskey, bringing out more flavors.

At the Broken Bit we offer "ice rounds" to accompany your whiskey. This is ice in the shape of a ball.