How To Make Whiskey Infographic

A Classic Infographic for Lemonly

Our interns have struck again! Take a look inside the process behind the popular spirit, from grain to glass.

How to Make Whiskey From grain to glass, take a look inside the process behind the popular spirit. FROM GRAIN TO GLASS, TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE PROCESS BEHIND THE POPULAR SPIRIT. WHAT’S IN A LETTER? American and Irish whiskey is typically spelled with an “e” while scotch and other international whiskies are referred to as “whisky.” THE INGREDIENTS WATER BARLEY or other grains YEAST THE PROCESS 1. MALTING Barley is steeped in warm water to trigger germination, then spread to dry on the malting room floor Germination turns the barley’s stored starches into sugars that are later used to form alcohol Sprouted barley is kiln-dried, often using peat to impart a characteristic smoky flavor 2. MASHING Once dried, the barley is milled into a flour-like grist Grist is combined with hot water to activate sugars in the barley Grist + water = wort 3. FERMENTATION Wort is fermented in large vates where yeast processes the barley’s sugars into alcohol Fermentation produces a low-strength alcoholic wash 4. DISTILLATION Wash is transferred to large copper stills to be distilled up to three times Repeated vaporization and condensation of the alcohol vapors purifies the spirit and strengthens its alcohol content 5. MATURATION Distilled spirit is poured into charred oak casks to mature for a legally required minimum of 3 years Most whiskey casks were previously used to age bourbon or sherry Over time, the wood gives whiskey its color, character, and some of its natural flavor THE PRODUCT SUBTLE VARIATIONS AFFECT THE UNIQUE CHARACTER AND FLAVOR OF EACH WHISKEY Distilling technique Local microclimate Ingredients Still size and shape HOW TO READ YOUR BOTTLE MALT WHISKEY Made from malted barley “Single malt” whiskey is made from a mash of only one type of grain BOURBON Made with at least 51% corn Often filtered with charcoal for a distinct smoky flavor GRAIN WHISKEY Made from any type of cereal grain, such as corn, wheat or rye Most American whiskies BLENDED WHISKEY Made from single malt whiskey mixed with grain whiskey or other spirits Blending achieves unique, layered flavors TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS BAD, BUT TOO MUCH GOOD WHISKEY IS BARELY ENOUGH MARK TWAIN SOURCES JamesonWhiskey.com ScotchWhiskyExperience.co.uk Eater.com TheGuardian.com Probrewer.com