Scotch, Whiskey, and Bourbon

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  • #602572
    avhaben
    Participant

    What’s the difference between scotch, whiskey, and bourbon? And where does vodka fit in?

    #861989
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    There’s a free new service called Google that should answer all your questions. Mods, if you’ll allow this link please – google.com.

    #861990
    YehudahTzvi
    Participant

    Come on, yitayningwut…

    Scotch and Bourbon are both Whiskeys. Bourbon must be from Kentucky, be at least (i think) 50% corn and aged for a minimum of three years in a NEW charred oak abrrel (which cannot be reused). If it is made outside of Kentucky, like Jack Daniel’s, it is called Sour Mash. If there is no oak barrel or aging, it is called Moonshine and is illegal because it doesn’t follow the above.

    Scotch is a whiskey that has to be made in Scotland. They do not have the same laws regarding new oak barrels, so they typically will purchase old barrels from American distilleries. i.e. The Lagavulin Scotch you may be drinking could very well have been aged in an old Jim Beam or Jack Daniel’s oak barrel.

    The problem with some scotches is that they are aged in barrels that have been used in countries like Spain for sherry and wine. I won’t go into the halacha here. Ask you own LOR about kashrus.

    Vodka is clear alcohol usually distilled from potatoes and it is not aged or placed in barrels (hence it being clear). It is not a whiskey at all.

    #861992
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    Yeah, I guess I was a bit of a jerk there. You’re a good man, Yehudahtzvi.

    #861993
    147
    Participant

    They all shall be making their way to the Mechiras Chometz form in 17 days, so what is the difference?

    #861994
    yaakov doe
    Participant

    Most vodka is now made from grain. Pesach vodka is made from potatoes or sugar cane.

    Scotch is by far the most refined drink. Read THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SCOTCH WHISKEY by Jim Murray to learn all about it.

    #861995
    Shticky Guy
    Participant

    Whether it is whisky or whiskey has been the basis of many arguments over many years. The Scots spell it whisky and the Irish spell it whiskey, with an extra ‘e’. This difference in the spelling comes from the translations of the word from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic forms.

    Whiskey with the extra ‘e’ is also used when referring to American whiskies. This ‘e’ was taken to the United States by the Irish immigrants in the 1700s and has been used ever since. Scotland, Ireland and America all have a rich heritage in the whisky industry.

    It is the distillation process that one of the main differences occurs. Generally, Scottish and American whiskies are distilled twice and Irish whiskey is distilled three times (there are exceptions to the rule, in all cases). Distilling three times produces a lighter and smoother spirit.

    For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the law–by international agreement–stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. (Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.) The barrels for aging can be made of any kind of new oak, charred on the inside. Nowadays all distillers use American White Oak, because it is porous enough to help the bourbon age well, but not so porous that it will allow barrels to leak. It must be distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor or sweetness or alter color.

    The other grains used to make bourbon, though not stipulated by law, are malted barley and either rye or wheat. Some Kentucky bourbon makers claim that the same limestone spring water that makes thoroughbred horses’ bones strong gives bourbon whiskey its distinctive flavor.

    #861996
    BTGuy
    Participant

    That’s what I say, “What’s the difference?”

    Seriously, its a good question, and I am curious too.

    But I have to say I dont know why people can get so into the details of alcoholic beverages like within the same species. They will discuss all these details about whiskeys or bourbons, etc. I wonder why.

    #861997
    far east
    Member

    its simple

    Scotch > Bourban > Vodka

    #861998
    dash™
    Participant

    Bourbon can be produced anywhere in the United States. Tennessee Whiskey must be produced in Tennessee (and according to NAFTA Tenessee Whiskey is Bourbon because it complies with all the requirements for Bourbon).

    #861999
    Toi
    Participant

    Scotch is by far the yummiest.

    #862000
    soliek
    Member

    “Scotch is by far the yummiest.”

    YOU LIAR!!!

    actually thats probably true…but even so i prefer bourbon and vodka to scotch…

    #862001
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    Burboun all the way. Don’t give in so easily, soliek.

    #862002
    dash™
    Participant

    Bourbon is a byproduct of Scotch production.

    #862003
    YehudahTzvi
    Participant

    “Bourbon is a byproduct of Scotch production.”

    Um, actually the exact opposite is true. Scotch is aged in old Bourbon barrels which impart the Bourbon flavors into the Scotch.

    #862004
    Toi
    Participant

    YT-But scotch doesnt need to be and existed far earlier than bourbon. It also doesnt taste like someone is punching you in the stomach. yuch, i hate bourbon.

    #862005
    far east
    Member

    bourban is much stronger but also has more flavor

    scotch is weaker without as much flavor but is also smoother

    so it depends what ur going for….flavor or smoothness

    #862006
    cherrybim
    Participant

    Scotch tastes like medicine, yach. Good bourbon is a holy mashke and takes your t’filos right up to shomayim; try a shot before davening.

    #862007
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    cherrybim –

    +1

    #862008
    winny1
    Participant

    Toi- Regarding scotch being the yummiest bear in mind that we all have different tastes and therefore the yummiest to each of us may differ. I also prefer scotch but my son in law says bourbon is better. I tell him he is entitled to his opinion no matter how wrong it might be.

    #862009
    shmoolik 1
    Participant

    for those who eat and drink kitniyos on pesach is bourbon ok

    any grain alcohol would be butel be shishim?

    #862010
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    Why are you asking only for those who eat kitniyos?

    And where are you getting from that there is 60 against the grain?

    #862011
    Toi
    Participant

    even if ya chometz isnt botel bishishim.

    #862012
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    Toi – It is. Issur mashehu only applies to what was nis’arev on Pesach. But he’s still wrong, dachtzich.

    #862013
    squeak
    Participant

    Like what you will, but this is the official position of YWN on the subject

    Linky

    #862014
    Toi
    Participant

    whoops

    #862015
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    I had a really great rye on purim. I usually drink only wine, but shekia was coming up and I try to be machmir to be drunk before shekia.

    I’m makpid on ad d’lo yada how to calculate plag mincha according to the magen avraham and the gra.

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