Whiskey is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages on the planet, and it’s made all over the world in the United States, Japan, Scotland, and many more. Plus, there are tons of whiskey options out there, from the spicier rye whiskeys to the sweeter bourbons – there’s a little something for everyone.

 

That said, you may be curious about what was in your last glass of whiskey. So, what is whiskey made from? Read on to learn more in our guide.

 

What Whiskey Is

Whiskey is a distilled liquor primarily made from a fermented grain mash, which includes the grain, water, and yeast. The most common mashes include barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Then, whiskey is aged in oak barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.

 

The 4 Core Ingredients Whiskey Is Made Of

The big four are grains, water, yeast, and the oak barrels that whiskey is aged in. Although the barrels aren’t part of the fermentation process, a lot of a whiskey’s flavor comes from the barrels it’s aged in.

 

Grains (The Mash Bill)

The mash bill is one of the pillars of whiskey-making, and it serves as the foundation. Typically, corn, barley, wheat, and rye serve as the primary grains in a whiskey liquor. Corn tends to be sweet, wheat is soft on the palate, rye is spicy, and barley is surprisingly nutty.

 

Water

Water is essential for controlling a whiskey’s character, and it’s used to mash (mix) grain, begin fermentation, and even dilute the whiskey before bottling. Overall, water is huge when it comes to the flavor profile of whiskey, and this is because the mineral content can impact the flavor and mouth feel.

 

Yeast

As a key component of whiskey-making, yeast converts glucose, sucrose, and fructose (sugars) into ethanol, carbon dioxide, and ATP (energy). Essentially, yeast converts sugars into alcohol, and most whiskey-makers have their own proprietary yeast strains.

 

Oak Barrels (Where Colors and Many Flavors Come From)

Aging whiskey in oak barrels, typically charred oak barrels, is where the flavor goes to develop. Depending on the barrel, vanilla and other flavor notes may develop. In fact, some types of whiskey may have requirements; new charred oak is a requirement for some whiskey styles.

 

The Basic Process: How Those Ingredients Become Whiskey

The basic process for whiskey-making can be summarized in five key steps. These steps are:

  1. Mashing
  2. Fermentation
  3. Distillation
  4. Aging and maturation
  5. Bottling

 

Learn more about each step in detail below.

 

Mashing

Grains, like corn or barley, are ground and mixed into hot water to create the “mash.” For malt whiskey options, barley is soaked in water to germinate first.

 

Fermentation

The mash is cooked into a sugary “wash,” and then yeast is added. Over a few days, yeast converts the sugar into alcohol, and it looks like a beer-like liquor; fermented mashes have a lower ABV than the final whiskey.

 

Distillation

The distillation process involves heating fermented mashes in a still, usually a copper still, to remove sulfur compounds, to separate the water from the solids. This vaporizes the alcohol, and then it condenses back into a higher-proof liquid for aging in oak barrels.

 

The type of still also varies, with copper pot stills being used for batch whiskey, like single malts, and column stills being continuous stills that are used for high-volume whiskey production.

 

It’s also important to note that distillers make cuts. Heads are discarded, hearts are the spirit that’s kept for aging in oak barrels, and tails tend to be distilled again.

 

Aging and Maturation

The longer a whiskey is aged in oak barrels, the darker and more flavorful it may become.

 

Bottling (Meeting Minimum Strength)

Whiskey is usually bottled at around 80 proof, which is 40% ABV. However, some cask-strength whiskeys may be bottled at a higher ABV.

 

Common Whiskey Types

We cover a handful of common whiskey types below.

 

Bourbon

Bourbon is made in the United States and must be made from a mash bill that’s at least 51% corn. Of course, some bourbons may have supporting grains, like barley. Bourbon is aged in new charred oak barrels and contains sweet flavor notes.

 

Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye grains. It’s known for its spicy flavor profile.

 

Scotch Whisky (Single Malt)

Scotch whisky is made with 100% malted barley. It’s made from one distillery in Scotland with pot stills and aged in oak casks for at least three years.

 

Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is made in Ireland, and it tends to be a mix of malted and unmalted barley; the grains vary based on the style, and it’s known for having a smooth and fruity style.

 

Whiskey vs. Whisky (And Why Spelling Changes)

The difference between “whiskey” and “whisky” (the spelling), is actually a geographical thing. “Whiskey” is used for whiskey products made in the United States and Ireland, whereas “Whisky” is typically used for Japanese, Scottish, and Canadian whisky.

 

Learn the Key Differences Between Irish and Scotch Styles

Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky vary based on spelling (as you can see), the mash bill, and the distillation process. Scottish whisky is made with 100% malted barley that’s double-distilled, whereas Irish whiskey is made with a combination of malted and unmalted barley that’s triple-distilled.

 

That said, this is only scratching the surface, and you can read Flaviar’s Irish whiskey vs Scotch whisky guide to learn more.

 

Quick FAQs (People Also Ask)

Have more questions about what whiskey is made from? We answer some of the most common questions below.

 

What Is the Main Ingredient of Whiskey?

The main ingredient of whiskey is the grain it’s made from, or the mash bill. However, the support of water, yeast, and oak barrels shapes the flavor profile of the final product.

 

What Is Jack Daniels Made From?

Jack Daniels is a Tennessee-style whiskey that’s produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee, which is the source of its iron-free water. The mash is typically corn, malted barley, and rye, with the majority being corn, and its flavor comes from the charcoal mellowing process.

 

Is Crown Royal a Whiskey or Bourbon?

Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky. For a whiskey to be a bourbon whiskey, it must be made with a mash bill that’s at least 51% corn.