Many people ask how whiskey is made and where can it be made. It can be made anywhere in the world, like distilleries in NJ and not just Scotland or Kentucky, contrary to popular belief.
Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. The basic steps involved in making whiskey are:
Mashing: The first step is to prepare the grain by grinding it and mixing it with hot water to create a mash. The mash is typically made up of a combination of grains, such as barley, rye, corn, or wheat.
Fermentation: Yeast is added to the mash, which converts the sugars in the grains into alcohol. The mixture is left to ferment for several days in a warm environment.
Distillation: The fermented mash is then distilled in a copper pot still or a column still to separate the alcohol from the water and other impurities. The resulting clear liquid is called “new make” or “white dog” whiskey.
Aging: The new make whiskey is then aged in oak barrels for a period of time, which gives it its characteristic flavor and color. The length of time the whiskey is aged varies depending on the type of whiskey being made.
Bottling: Once the whiskey has been aged to the desired flavor and color, it is bottled and labeled for sale.It’s worth noting that there are many different types of whiskey, each with its own unique recipe and production process. Some of the most popular types of whiskey include bourbon, rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, Scotch whiskey, and Canadian whiskey.