American
whiskeys are all-grain spirits that have been produced from a mash
bill that usually mixes together corn, rye, wheat, barley and
other grains in different proportions, and then generally aged for
an extended period of time in wooden barrels. The two major
American blends are bourbon and rye. The principal difference
between the two is that rye is made almost exclusively from rye
grain while bourbon is made from three grains but never
combinations of wheat and rye. Use one, or use the other; that is
the tradition.
Canadian Whiskey
Canadian
whiskey dominance, and in
particular Seagram's, can be attributed to prohibition. During
this infamous dry period in US history, Canadian whiskey literally
poured down the hill into America's illicit speakeasies. After
prohibition was abolished in 1933, the Federal Alcohol
Administration allocated the importation of 3,314,443 gallons of
whiskey (we're guessing for medicinal purposes). Most of this came
from Canada. The results of this boon can be seen in the various
buildings, libraries, and hospitals in downtown Montrčal bearing
the name Bronfman, the founding family of Seagram’s.
The most popular brands of Canadian whiskey, Crown Royal,
Seagram's V.O. and C.C. and are called for in bars all over the
world. For beginning whiskey drinkers, these are the lightest and
easiest Canadian whiskeys to swallow.
Here is
our listing of Canadian Whiskey:
-
Black Velvet
-
Canadian Club
-
Canadian Mist
-
Canadian Superior
-
Crown Royal
-
Crown Royal Reserve
-
Lord Calvert Canadian
-
Seagram's 7 Crown
-
Seagram's VO
-
Yukon Jack
Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey is distilled from grain (only
half the barley is malted or sprouted) then sent through pot
stills three times before it's finally stored in wooden casks for
at least 3 years and bottled at not less than 40%. Many a proud
Irishman claims the inventor of whiskey to be Saint Patrick
himself, way back from the fifth century.
Like
scotch, is a barley derivative. It's often cut with neutral grain
spirits. The malt - half-sprouted barley with oats - is dried in a
closed kiln so there's no smoky flavor. With the exception of the
Irish coffee, Irish whiskey isn't recommended as a cocktail mixer.
It's best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water.
Here
is a list of our Irish Whiskeys: