What Is A Good Whisky?
While everybody has varying opinions on each whisky they may drink, there are a handful of characteristics that allow exceptional whisky to stand out from the crowd. These 5 factors are; flavour complexities, flavour families, the grains, the type of barrels used and how aged a whisky is.
Flavour Complexities
Flavour complexity distinguishes between a good whisky and cocktail-worthy whisky. While you could include any whisky in a cocktail, you would then fail to recognise all of the subtle flavours that were entrapped in each batch.
Flavour Families
A good whisky should have a lovely aroma and flavour. Oftentimes, when it comes to whisky, these flavour families seem like very unusual pairings but come together to create a delicious blend of flavours. There are 8 of these recognised families:
- Fruity – Cooked Fruit, Dried Fruit, Fresh Fruit, Citric
- Winey – Oily, Nutty, Chocolate, Sherries
- Sulphuric – Sandy, Vegetative, Coal/Gas, Rubbery
- Peaty – Kippery, Mossy, Smokey, Medicinal
- Cereal – Yeasty, Cooked Mash, Husky, Malt Extract
- Woody – Vanilla, Old Wood, New Wood, Toasted
- Floral – Leafy, Hay-like, Green House, Fragrant
- Feinty – Tobacco, Sweaty, Plastic, Leathery
The Grains
Sometimes, it is the grain used that can determine whether a whisky is or isn't good. Each whisky is not only limited to one grain, oftentimes but there are also blends of, up to, all four of these grains:
- Corn
This creates an easy-drinking spirit with flavours of sweet honey, browned butter and creamy flavours, with notes of toasted marshmallow to top it off.
- Rye
This packs some heat with your whisky, with the same ripe and dried fruit flavours as corn-based whiskeys, but with some extra nuttiness and spiciness.
- Wheat
This is less mainstream than other grains and is almost exclusively used in the states. These are some of the smoothest whiskies made, with flavours of honey, vanilla, dried berries, spice and toffee flavours.
- Barley
This is a risk takers whisky, with a smoky flavour that possesses a bite. Often, these flavours are softened after ageing this whisky in old port wine or sherry barrels, allowing room for some notes of fruit and spice.
Type of Barrels
It is no secret that even the best whiskies can be improved. The barrels in which whiskies are aged are very important when altering that flavour to create something new and unique. There is a huge list of barrels used to age whisky, but below are a handful of barrels that can be used to create a unique and exciting flavour:
- Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain that is often used to mature whiskies. The oak cask imparts a rich flavour, while the sherry creates a velvety texture. Typically, you'll find that whiskies aged in sherry casks are darker in colour and have an almost "nutty" flavour. If you're tasting a whisky that has been aged in a sherry cask, you will likely notice a slight sweetness to the flavour. This sweetness is thanks to the sherry used during the toasting process of the barrels.
- Bourbon
Bourbon is an American whiskey that is typically aged in new, charred oak casks. The effect of the new wood and the toasting of the cask impart a spicy, smoky flavour to the bourbon whisky. You'll notice a slight woodiness in the taste, as well as a bit of oakiness. Bourbon that has been aged in a new cask is often lighter in colour and has an almost yellowish tint.
- Rum
Rum is a type of spirit from the Caribbean that is often used to mature whiskies. The wood of the cask imparts a strong flavour, along with a bit of sweetness. Whiskies aged in rum casks often have a caramel flavour to them. They are very rich and full-bodied and are often enjoyed neat or with a few ice cubes. If you're tasting a whisky that has been aged in a rum cask, you will likely notice a sweetness to the flavour. The sweetness is likely the result of the residual sugar in the rum cask.
- Tawny Port
Port is a wine from Portugal that is often used to mature whiskies. The woody flavour of the cask is strong, almost like a smoky taste. Whiskies aged in tawny port casks are often very rich and full-bodied and are often enjoyed neat or with a few ice cubes. Port has a very strong flavour and is often enjoyed as just a bit of a dessert after dinner. If you're tasting a whisky that has been aged in a tawny port cask, you will likely notice a slight sweetness to the flavour. The sweetness is likely the result of the residual sugar in the tawny port cask.
- Muscat Port
Muscat port is a type of wine often used to mature whiskies. The woody flavour of the cask is strong, almost like a smoky taste. Whiskies aged in muscat port casks are often very rich and full-bodied and are often enjoyed neat or with a few ice cubes. Port has a very strong flavour and is often enjoyed with just a bit of a dessert after dinner. If you're tasting a whisky that has been aged in a Muscat port cask, you will likely notice a slight sweetness to the flavour. The sweetness is likely the result of the residual sugar in the Muscat port cask.
- Octave (renowned)
Octave is an esteemed cask that is often used to mature whiskies. The woody flavour of the cask is strong, almost like a smoky taste. Whiskies aged in octave casks are often very rich and full-bodied and are often enjoyed neat or with a few ice cubes. Octave has a very strong flavour and is often enjoyed with just a bit of a dessert after dinner. If you're tasting a whisky that has been aged in an octave cask, you will likely notice a slight sweetness to the flavour. The sweetness is likely the result of the residual sugar in the octave cask.
Ageing Whisky
Before being bottled, whiskey remains in wooden casks for a period of time. During this ageing process, the whiskey comes into contact with the wood. The whiskey barrels are rarely stored in temperature controlled environments. This temperature fluctuation promotes flavour exchange between the whisky and wood. There are also instances where the inside of the barrels are charred or toasted. This charcoal layer will filter out unwanted chemicals and reduce some nasty flavours, thus inducing more of the woody notes to the whisky.
Conclusion
Ultimately, only you can make the decision whether or not you enjoy a particular whisky. but this information should allow you to generate a more informed decision when it comes to your next whisky purchase!
The 5 factors listed above all come into play when determining the taste of the whisky. This information should steer you in the right direction for the kind of flavour you're after, when it comes to your next whisky purchase!
