01
Single Malt Scotch
Scotland • 100% Malted Barley
Distilled entirely at one Scottish distillery from malted barley in copper pot stills.
- Rich & complex
- Fruity & floral
- Often peaty
- Long finish
THE FIELD GUIDE VOL. III
196 Whiskies, Decoded
Peated Islay malts, charred Kentucky bourbon barrels, Highland copper stills, and Japanese Mizunara wood finishing.
THE FIELD BOARD
Uisge Beatha: The Water of Life
Whisky Types Explained
02
Blended Scotch
Scotland • Malt + Grain
A marriage of single malt and single grain whiskies drawn from several distilleries.
- Smooth
- Balanced
- Consistent
- Easy drinking
03
Single Grain Scotch
Scotland • Wheat or Corn
Made at one distillery from grains other than malted barley, usually in column stills.
- Light
- Smooth
- Sweet notes
- Blender's backbone
04
Bourbon Whiskey
USA • Minimum 51% Corn
American whiskey from a corn-led mash bill, matured only in new charred oak barrels.
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Toasted oak
- Sweet finish
05
Tennessee Whiskey
USA • Corn
Bourbon-style spirit filtered through sugar maple charcoal before ageing: the Lincoln County Process.
- Extra smooth
- Soft smoke
- Caramel
- Gentle finish
06
Irish Whiskey
Ireland • Mixed Grains
Usually triple distilled, which strips out heaviness and leaves a soft, approachable spirit.
- Light bodied
- Orchard fruit
- Smooth
- Gentle finish
07
Japanese Whisky
Japan • Mostly Malt
Built on the Scotch blueprint but pursued with obsessive balance, precision and blending craft.
- Delicate
- Floral
- Elegant
- Perfectly balanced
08
Canadian Whisky
Canada • Corn & Rye Blend
Column-distilled from corn, rye, wheat and barley, then blended for an easy house style.
- Light bodied
- Mild sweetness
- Subtle spice
- Very mixable
09
Rye Whiskey
USA / Canada • 51%+ Rye
Rye-heavy mash bills trade sweetness for pepper, structure and a dry backbone.
- Peppery spice
- Dry finish
- Herbal notes
- Bold
Quick Comparison
| Type | Main Grain | Country | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Malt Scotch | Malted barley | Scotland | Rich & complex |
| Blended Scotch | Malt + grain | Scotland | Smooth |
| Single Grain Scotch | Wheat / corn | Scotland | Light |
| Bourbon | 51%+ corn | USA | Sweet & oaky |
| Tennessee | Corn | USA | Extra smooth |
| Irish | Mixed grains | Ireland | Light & fruity |
| Japanese | Mostly malt | Japan | Elegant |
| Canadian | Corn / rye blend | Canada | Mellow |
| Rye | 51%+ rye | USA / Canada | Spicy |
Myth vs Fact
MythWhisky and whiskey are two different spirits.
FactSame spirit, different spelling. Whisky for Scotland, Canada and Japan; whiskey for Ireland and the United States.
Did You Know
To legally carry the name Scotch, the spirit must be distilled in Scotland and matured there in oak casks for at least three years.
Behind the Bar
Every style carries its own personality. Reading those categories is what lets you match the right whisky to the right guest, and the right cocktail to the right bottle.