• Whiskey – Scotch/ Bourbon/ Rye/ Irish Cream

• Vodka

• Gin

• Rum (dark and light)

• Tequila

• Wine – White (dry)/ Red (dry)/ Vermouth (sweet and dry)/ Champagne

• Brandy/ Cognac

• Beer

Whisky or whiskey is alcohol made by fermenting mashed grains like corn, barley, wheat and rye. It is distilled and then aged in wooden casks. Distillation is a technique first used by the Italians in the 13th century when alcohol was distilled from wine. By the 15th century the art spread to Ireland and Scotland. The first recorded history of whisky is from Ireland in 1405 AD. Originally whisky production was restricted to monasteries and the alcohol was not allowed to age. The raw, burning alcohol was basically used for medicinal purposes. The use of copper lined stills to distil the alcohol and wooden casks to age it, over time, made whisky into the smooth drink it is today.

Mixology certification in London and Spirits & Liquors

There are basically two types of whisky:

• Malt made from malted barley

• Grain whisky made from other grains.

Combined whisky

• Single Malt Whisky: When the whisky is made from a single batch of grain mash and in a single distillery. Often whisky from different casks is mixed to produce a suitable flavour.

• Single Cask Whisky: When it is from a single cask it is called a single cask whisky.

• Blended Malt: When whisky is from the same grain but brewed in different distilleries.

• Blended Whisky: The most popular whisky the world over is one in which both malt and grain whisky are blended with other additives to produce a particular flavour.

• Cask Strength: This is a very strong and potent whisky and drinkers are recommended to dilute it to their satisfaction.

Regional whisky

• American, available in various types. It has to be 80% proof and has to be aged for a minimum of two years

• Rye whisky made from mash containing at least 51% rye

• Corn whisky made from mash containing 80% corn

• Malt whisky made from mash containing 51% malted barley

• Bourbon made from mash containing 51% corn maize

• Scottish whisky is traditionally considered to be the best in the world. It is distilled at least twice and has to be aged for a minimum of three years, although many breweries age them for much longer. Majority of them also treat the malt with peat smoke to give their whisky a smoky flavour.

• Irish whisky too is highly regarded and their whisky has to be aged for three years before it can be sold.

Australia, Canada, Germany and India are the other countries that brew whisky.

There are plenty of cocktails made with whisky, some of the most popular ones are

• Manhattan

• Whisky Sour

• Old Fashioned

• Rob Roy

• Hot Toddy

To learn about whisky and how to make some exotic cocktails with it enroll for a mixology certification in London. You will be the gainer!