Part 4 of the category Whisky Shop – Discover our variety from around the world

Whisky Shop

From distillation to whisky purchase - origin & history of whisky

In Ireland and Scotland, the distillation process spread around the 11th century A.D. The decisive factor was the development of the alambic still, which is still used today. This technique was adapted by ecclesiastical institutions for the production of medicines. It is thanks to the Irish St. Patrick that the knowledge of whiskey making was spread. The national saint was born in Scotland and lived in Ireland. He is also credited with the copyright. However, the question of whiskey's origin cannot be answered unequivocally. The fact is that the production of whiskey suitable for drinking was recorded in writing from the 12th century.

The history of whiskey

Starting from Ireland, the knowledge of whiskey production spread to Scotland. In our whiskey store you can also buy numerous whiskeys from Ireland. Therefore, as a whiskey store, we have also dealt with the history. In Ireland, peat was used instead of coal to heat the stoves. This smoky flavor has been characteristic of Scotch whiskey ever since. The first written evidence of production in Scotland was an invoice receipt for the purchase of malt in 1494. Used at that time, whiskey was mainly as a remedy for various ailments. However, it was not long before the people also acquired a taste for the "water of life". This became a serious problem when barley, the basic foodstuff, became scarce and yet people continued to distill black.

Buy whiskey - whiskey and its political influence

The sale of whiskey was repeatedly taxed to finance wars, and when the Scottish and English parliaments merged in 1707, the spirit spread nationwide. Riots and the strong growth of "original Scottish" moonshine distilleries were the consequences and at the same time an expression of political resistance. Illegal smugglers and distillers of the Highlands were revered like national heroes. The "Small Stills Act" continuously put an end to moonshine distilling. In addition, the distinction between Highlands and Lowlands was introduced and smaller distilleries were legalized. With favorable taxation, storage and thanks to the tax-free export of whiskies, the widespread moonshine distilling was eliminated and the way was paved for every whisky store. In Ireland, meanwhile, the government was eager to get the most out of whiskey production and buying whiskey became very expensive due to the exceptionally high tax. The whiskey store black market flourished and whiskey was divided into two categories: Legal (parliament) and illegal, original Irish whiskey (poitín). A new tax, mhttps://www.delicando.com/en/c26/bourbon-whiskeyore favorable for distilleries, was enacted and the black market became less important. Well-known companies such as Jameson and Powers established themselves on the international shelves of the whiskey stores of the time. After these Irish distilleries knocked off the new "Patent Still" technology, the Scottish companies and whisky stores were on the rise. The Scottish wave of success continued and from it developed the first real blended whisky, which was cheaper to produce in almost the same quality as pure malt whisky. In our store you can buy both whiskies. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, not only whisky stores, but the entire spirits trade came to a standstill, as all grain was only allowed to be used for food production. After various uprisings and wars that led to trade disruptions, Prohibition was abolished under Roosevelt and the markets to buy whiskey were reopened. The Scots, with their well-stocked warehouses in the numerous whiskey stores, were far better prepared for this than the Irish.

Buying whisky - the ingredients of whisky

To make whiskey, you don't need much: grain, water and yeast. Whereby especially the barrel and also the fuel used (peat) influence the flavor expression. In our online store you can buy the most diverse whiskies and discover the most diverse flavors! Are you looking for a special flavor? Use the filter options to buy whiskey in our store and choose from 12 flavors.

Grain

If you want to buy whiskey, you should know that grains such as barley, corn, rye or wheat are used 100% or mixed for whiskey distillation. Barley has the advantage that the starch it contains can be optimally converted and fermented. This raw material is mainly used for Scotch or Irish whiskies. The most important raw material in the U.S. is corn, since bourbon whiskey and Tennessee whiskey must contain at least 51%.

Water

Until you can buy your whisky it needs a lot, a lot of water: starting with the mashing process, the cooling, the cask filling and the dilution to drinking strength. Therefore, special attention is paid to the quality of the liquid gold. Its quality is meticulously measured and, if necessary, the entire land is bought up from the source (as is the case, for example, with Glenfiddich). The different degrees of hardness of the water have an individual effect on the whiskey taste.

Yeast

Yeast is necessary to convert the grain starch into sugar and this into alcohol. The wild yeasts contained are not sufficient for this purpose, which is why cultivated yeast strains are used. The distilleries attach particular importance to their own development of these strains, as they have an individual effect on the flavor diversity of different whiskies. Let our Whisky Shop team advise you before you buy your whisky.

Buying whisky - the production of singe malt

If you are thinking of buying whisky, you may have wondered what makes single malt whisky so special. Single malt whisky comes from a single distillery and is made exclusively from malted barley. Unlike blended whisky, which can be a mixture of different whiskies, single malt whisky offers an unadulterated taste experience that reflects the unique characteristics of each distillery.

Malting

In the first production step, which takes about 1 week, the grain is germinated to be processed into malt (green malt) in the next step. For this purpose, the barley is spread, moistened and germinated - the starch is converted into simple sugars and heat is generated. Continuous turning ensures that the heat is distributed evenly. A great deal of sensitivity is required to stop this process at the optimum stage, because the maltose content is later decisive for the alcohol content of the whiskey you buy.

Kilning

Kilning refers to the drying of the resulting green malt in the typical houses with pagoda roofs (kilns or malt kilns) or today in modern drying ovens. The green malt is dried for a typical single malt by means of peat fire. That's where the peaty, smoky flavor comes from when you buy this whiskey. Fuels such as coal and coke are also used mixed with peat for drying.

Mashing

In the next production step, the malt is cleaned and ground into grist to release the sugar. The resulting flour mixture goes into the mash tun with hot water. The heat does the rest, transforming starch into fermentable simple sugars. Starting at 60-68 degrees, the mash is heated to 80 degrees. This sweet wort (also called "wort") is drained 3-4 times, with only the first and second racks being processed for the time being. The third and fourth taps are cooled and added later in the production process. This is how you get closer to the whiskey you buy. The next steps are "fermentation" as well as "distillation".

Fermentation

In "wash backs" made of larch, pine or nowadays widely used stainless steel tanks, the wort ("wash"), tempered to 20-27 degrees, is fermented with the help of yeast. The bubbling liquid needs sufficient space not to overflow and this delicate process is usually fully automated and completed within 36-48 hours. The result is a clear liquid of water, yeast and 5% alcohol by volume.

Distilling

During distillation, the alcohol of the "wash" is filtered out by means of "pot stills". These are two stills of different sizes, the first still is also called "wash still". In this one, the alcohol is evaporated and rises into the swan-shaped neck of the still, condenses and flows off into the cooler. The raw whisky, also called "low wines," is poured into the second still ("low wines still") and distilled a second time. During a final check, also called "spirit safe", the purity of the alcohol is controlled. The foreshot and feints are separated from the middle cut or heart and distilled again to filter out impurities. In the end, only the clear middle cut, which has around 65-70% alcohol content and is diluted with water to an optimal alcohol content of 63%, is barreled. Now you know how the whiskey you buy is made.

The art of blending whisky

If you want to buy whisky, you can choose between different types of whisky. Blended whiskies, which are created by blending, are particularly popular. But what exactly is whisky blending?

Blending whisky is the process of mixing different whiskies together to achieve a specific flavor profile. It is an art in which different cask types, maturation levels and whisky types (such as malt whisky and grain whisky) are combined to achieve a consistent and balanced quality.

There are different types of blends:

Blended whisky: A blend of malt whisky and grain whisky. This type of whisky is widely available and is often softer and lighter in taste than pure malt whiskies.
Blended malt whisky: Here, only different malt whiskies from different distilleries are blended, without grain whisky.
Blended grain whisky: A blend of different grain whiskies from different distilleries.

When you buy whisky, it is worth discovering the variety of blended whiskies. Through skillful blending, master blenders can create unique taste profiles that are interesting for both beginners and experienced connoisseurs.

Whisky or whiskey?

“Whisky” is the name of the grain spirit from Scotland and Canada. “Whiskey” is used for grain brandy from the USA and Ireland. The additional “e” only provides information about the country of production, but not about the quality or the production process. You can buy whisky in our store and be convinced by an outstanding selection of excellent whisky varieties at unbeatable prices.

Buying whisky - casks, storage and shelf life

When bottling the whisky that you can buy later, distilleries work with fixed time intervals. An important rule here is that the larger the cask, the slower the maturation, as the contact surface with the wood is smaller. Traditionally, sherry or bourbon barrels with a size of 500 liters are used for this. Wine barrels are also used to achieve special aromas.

Oak barrels are required by law, as is the minimum maturation period. In Scotland and Ireland, whisky must mature for at least three years, in the USA only two years. The longer the maturation period, the better the whisky.

After purchase, correct storage is crucial. Whisky should be kept upright, cool and protected from light. Opened bottles retain their quality best if they are consumed within 3 to 5 years.

Whisky in the USA and Canada

With the immigration movement in the 18th century, Scottish and Irish settlers handed down customs as well as whiskey production to the USA and Canada. In the U.S., the spelling "whiskey" is used, whereas in Canadian whiskey stores both forms are common. The first written documentation dates back to the end of the 18th century. Barley grew much worse in the U.S. than in the old country. For this reason, rye and corn were used for the first time to distill whiskey. Success was not long in coming and the state also wanted to have a piece of the pie by means of taxes. The whiskey stores and whiskey producers called for a whiskey rebellion, which could only be crushed by order of the then president and army support. Kentucky became the rallying point for many rebels, including the Jim Beam, Brown-Fordman and Maker's Mug families. This was the birth of Kentucky whiskey. Those who wanted to buy whiskey could do so in special stores, and so it developed into an affordable mass drink. It wasn't long before a temperance movement developed, calling for the withdrawal of alcohol from the entire nation, but without long-term success. In Canada, the Walker company broke new ground by maturing a blend in casks for 6 years for the first time and bottling it in "Club Whisky" bottles. The anti-alcohol movement also led to a partial ban on alcohol in Canada, which was lifted again shortly afterwards to put a stop to moonshine.

International significance of whisky production

In addition to the USA and Canada, there are many other countries that have specialized in the production of high-quality whisky. Scotland, the cradle of whisky, is of course the flagship of international whisky production. Scotch whisky, especially single malt Scotch, is made from malted barley and must be matured in oak casks for at least three years before it can be sold as Scotch. Regions such as the Highlands, Islay and Speyside are known worldwide for their unique whiskies.

Ireland, another country of origin of whisky, is characterized by its Irish whiskey, which is often triple distilled, giving it a particularly smooth and mild note. Brands such as Jameson are internationally popular and are among the best-selling whiskies in the world.

Japan has also become an important player on the international whisky market in recent decades. Japanese whisky is strongly influenced by the Scottish style, but the unique geography and special microclimate of the production sites create a whisky with its own character. Brands such as Yamazaki and Nikka have won international awards and are in demand in specialist whisky stores around the world.

Recently, countries such as India, Australia and even Sweden and Taiwan have also started to produce their own high-quality whiskies. Amrut from India and Kavalan from Taiwan have attracted international attention and are proof that excellent whisky no longer has to come only from traditional producing countries.

Our Whisky Shop: Buy good whiskey

In our Whisky Shop you can buy good whiskey online. Just to buy whiskey succinctly, of course, is not useful. With us in the Whisky Shop buying whiskey is no problem, because the numerous qualities, varieties and characteristics are carefully filtered present on the website.

Buying whisky: your guide through the world of whisky

We know that it is difficult to buy the best whiskey, even for the novice. The varieties differ significantly in taste. Balvenie flavor is very popular, as well as Hibiki whiskey. The Jameson Whiskey tastes good to many whiskey friends. The blend contains small batch grain and single Irish pot still whiskey. Special Black Barrel oak barrels are suitable for storage. Worth mentioning in this category is the Jameson 18 Years Old Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey 46% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox. The blend consists of three types of whiskey. The last six months this is stored in bourbon barrels.

In our store you can buy the Bowmore - and in many varieties and vintages. The Islay Single Malt is for many savvy whiskey connoisseurs the ultimate. The taste of orange, maple and a touch of walnuts and cherries is pleasant.

When buying whiskey in our store, it depends on some key points, such as the brand, the age and the barrel in which the whiskey was stored. How is the whiskey perceived - strongly smoky or hardly smoky? The region is equally relevant. In our online store, we have built in a filter that allows you to filter by certain key points, such as vintage, country of origin or even the price.

Thus, the fifteen-year-old A.D. Rattray Cask ORKNEY 15 Years Old Single Malt 46% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox is quite recommendable. The Orkney Islands are known for their legends and stories. The whiskey is stored in oak barrels and scores with the olive-gold color. The smell reminds of green apples, nutmeg, wood and sea salt. The Whisky Shop team has recognized that this particular whiskey is a popular purchase - especially among connoisseurs.

The connoisseur will also find the Talisker Whiskey Douglas Laing Old Particular in our online store. The whiskey of this variant is stored in re-fill hogshead barrels. The taste is reminiscent of pepper, oil and sweetness, while the nose picks up the scent of marine aromas and salty seaweed mixed with peat.

With us you can buy from different distilleries and different types of whiskey.

We offer whiskey from different distilleries in our whiskey store. However, the distillery "The Macallan Distillers" is represented more often. The whiskey "The Macallan CLASSIC CUT Limited Edition 2023 50,3% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox" is currently a hit with our customers in our store. If you want to buy this whiskey, you can find more information in our store.

Buying whisky - "Whisky has been known and sought after for centuries"

We, the whisky store, present different product lines. The whisky brand you buy is selectable, as well as the vintage. For example, there is from 1951 Gordon & MacPhail STRATHISLA Finest Highland Malt Whisky 1953 40% Vol. 0,7l in Holzkiste, packed in a wooden box. 24 variants brand whiskey you can buy, from 2020 are in our whiskies store assortment. When you buy your high quality whiskey from us, it is packed in a gift box or in a wooden box. This exclusive packaging is definitely the icing on the cake. In our whisky store you can buy whiskies - and from the following countries of origin:

Scotland maintains distilleries in several regions, such as Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown and the Islands. If you are specifically interested in a distillery, you can filter by it in our Whisky Shop and then buy your whisky.

Buy whisky - our top sellers

The team of the Whisky Shop: "The interest of the whisky connoisseur are unquestionably the top sellers". Of course, we can not present each make individually in our store. Particularly popular are:

Tullamore D.E.W. 14 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey 41,3% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox
William Lawson's Blended Scotch Whisky 40% Vol. 0,7l
Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ballantine's FINEST Blended Scotch Whisky 40% Vol. 1l

Royal Salute 21 Years Old THE MIAMI POLO EDITION Blended Scotch Whisky 40% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox, a Scotch whiskey, is preferred by many connoisseurs when you decide to buy whiskey. The name Royal Salute refers to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II with 21 gun salutes.
Three fine whisky varieties you can buy are 12 years old. These are also top sellers in our store: Aberlour 12 Years Old DOUBLE CASK MATURED 40% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox; Edradour CALEDONIA 12 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% Vol. 0,05l in Giftbox and Johnnie Walker BLACK LABEL 12 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky 40% Vol. 3l. The distilleries of these three top sellers are Aberlour Distillery Company, Edradour Distillery and John Walker & Sons.

Buying whisky - the whisky qualities in our store

The most important and well-known qualities when it comes to buying whiskey are Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Malt, Blended Grain, Single Cask and Cask Strenght. Generally, it is said that the good whiskey should be at least 3 years old. The older the whiskey, the more costly it is. So when you buy whiskey, it is worth paying attention to the age.

As everywhere, we as a whiskey store are also interested in new brands and makes. There are numerous new products, so we could only "pick out" a few in our whisky store. The Heaven Hill Old Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 40% Vol. 1l and The Koshi-No Shinobu Pure Malt Whiskey Mizunara Oak are not yet known everywhere. The Jack Daniel's BOTTLED-IN-BOND Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey 50% Vol. 1l is worth mentioning, as well as the noble Edradour Ballechin 10 Years Old Highland Single Malt 46% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox.

The product Laphroaig SELECT Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 40% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox comes from the Scottish island of Islay. The production of the whiskey consists of barley malt, which is dried over peat fire. The resulting smoke provides the inimitable taste. If you buy this whiskey, which was stored for about 10 years in former bourbon barrels, you get excellent taste and smell.

The The Balvenie 12 Years Old Double Wood 40% Vol. 0,7l in Giftbox and 25 years old, Double Wood, are among the most popular whiskey varieties. The 25 years old whiskey was offered for the 25th anniversary of the distillery. The type of storage in the barrel is immensely important and is done in traditional whiskey barrels, then stored for about three months in former Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry barrels. The amber color is important to many whisky drinkers who are regular visitors to whisky stores.

Buying whiskey - Aberfeldy Whiskey and Bushmills

The distillery is located in Scotland in the Highlands. Since 1896, this distillery is known. The Aberfeldy whiskey in different versions present since 2005. If you buy this whiskey, you will get the taste of ripe fruit, walnuts or dark chocolate. Aberfeldy whiskey is offered as "12 Years", as well as "15 Years", "16 Years", "18 Years" and "21 Years". The 21 year old whiskey was awarded as the best Mainland Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards in 2007.

We know that the different types of whiskey Bushmills series are equally popular. They are on offer with 10 years, 16 years and 21 years. Also worth mentioning is the Bushmills Char Bourbon Cask Reserve The Steamship Collection. The name refers to a 125-year-old steamship - the SS Bushmills. Trade between the U.S. and Asia began at this time, in 1890, and the steamship is on the label of the bottles.

Also worth mentioning is Suntory Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Many Hibiki blends are considered valuable rarities. Single malts and grain whiskeys harmonize in this make. You can also buy these in our whiskey store.

Buying whisky - accessories and extras in our store

If you would like to buy whisky from us, you will not only find a large selection of fine spirits, but also the right accessories and many other helpful whisky tools to bring out the full potential of the whisky. A decisive factor for optimum enjoyment is the right whisky glass. Why? The design of the glass influences how the aromas reach the nose and the taste reaches the tongue. Tumblers are ideal for whiskies on the rocks, while special nosing glasses concentrate the aromas and perfectly showcase the whisky neat or slightly chilled.

But that's not all: at delicando you will also find a wide range of bar accessories to round off your whisky tasting. Whether it's carafes for stylish serving, whisky stones for perfect cooling without dilution or pourers and cocktail shakers - we have everything you need for your home bar.

Buy whiskey - the conclusion

In our store you will find a wide selection and many brands in different price ranges. Each whiskey variety you buy has its own individual characteristics in terms of production and taste. Convince yourself of our delicando whiskey assortment from our online store! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at +43 3172 60511 or at office@delicando.com for advice. Tip: Take a look at our whiskey rarities and remaining stock.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

What does "whisky" mean?

The term "whiskey" derives from "uisge beatha" or "usquebaugh", which means "water of life" in Gaelic.

What is the difference between whisky and whiskey?

The spelling without "e" comes from Scotland, while mainly Irish and American products are called "whiskey". In countries like Scotland or Japan, on the other hand, people drink "whiskey".

What is Scotch Whisky?

Scotch whisky is a spirit which is made from grain, water and yeast and is distilled in Scotland.

Does whiskey go bad?

An bottle of whiskey that is stored properly (upright, protected from sunlight, extreme temperatures and humidity) and is still unopened will keep for a very long time and will not go bad.

Does an open bottle of whiskey go bad?

Once opened, the liquid eventually begins to decompose due to exposition to air. Left long enouth, it is not recommended to drink it. The fill level of the opened bottle is also relevant. The less whiskey is still in the bottle, the faster its taste changes in the direction of inedibility. The average life of an opened bottle is about 3 months to 2 years - again depending on the fill level.

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