Your whisky questions, answered!
At hampers.com, we are big fans of a whole range of spirits and beverages. We aim to offer a range of hampers and gift boxes to suit wide variety of tastes and preferences.
Our whisky hampers are particularly luxurious, not just because of the quality products, but also because they offer very special types of gifts. We have both a keepsake gift and a gift experience available as part of our whisky range.
But, why choose a whisky gift from hampers.com? Simply put, because we know our stuff!
In this post, we thought we would offer an introductory guide to whisky, answering some frequently asked questions which will help you to understand more about the production of whisky, as well as what to consider when choosing the perfect gift for the whisky lover in your life.
5 FAQs about whisky - types, distilleries, tours and more...
Explore our 5 frequently asked questions about whisky (and whiskey), its historical significance, and why it earns its name of the 'water of life'.
What is whisky made from?
Most whiskies contain a grain, water and yeast... and a lot of patience!
The choice of grain can vary, and may include barley, rye and wheat. The liquor itself is made from fermented grain mash.
The different flavours of whisky are caused by a huge range of factors, from the stills used, the grain type, the barrels the whisky is aged in, and how long it is aged for.
What’s the difference between whiskey and whisky?
You may have noticed that sometimes whisky is spelled with an 'e' (i.e. whiskey) and, sometimes not. Traditionally, whisky made in Scotland is spelled without an 'e', whereas whiskey from other countries, such as the US or Ireland, includes an 'e'. It is not a protected term or spelling.
However, 'Scotch' or 'Scotch Whisky', more accurately, is a protected term and is only used for whisky produced in Scotland, and in line with a range of specific regulations.
You may also hear other terms related to whiskies, like 'single malt' or 'bourbon', so, let's explore these further...
How many whisky types are there?
Depending on how you define 'type', there are many many whiskies and whiskeys available.
Two primary distinctions can be whether the whisky is a 'single malt' - made from whisky from a single distillery – or a 'blend' – made from mixing whiskies from several distilleries or types.
Scotch Whisky types are often defined by the regions they come from, which include Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. They are quite distinct in taste from each other.
If you hear the term, 'bourbon', then this refers to an American whiskey that must contain at least 51% corn in its mash, as well as being aged in new, charred oak barrels.
Is a whisky a good gift?
Whisky is a very traditional gift, especially for Father's Day, a retirement gift and at Christmas.
What makes whisky a great gift for many occasions is the variety and range that is available.
For a milestone birthday or very special occasion, you can look to buy a more expensive bottle. The longer a whisky is aged in its cask before bottling, the more expensive it often is. There are also limited edition whiskies, and those that if kept unopened can increase in value.
Whisky will last a long time. It doesn't generally go off, especially if unopened. And can be enjoyed in small amounts. This makes it a lovely long-lasting gift.
At hampers.com, we have two whisky hampers containing a bottle of single malt from Balvenie. Our Whisky, Glasses and Whisky Stones Gift is a wonderful keepsake gift.
Whilst our Premium Whisky and Food Gift Basket comes with a whole range of complementary foods, inspired by the scotch, including a rich fruit cake.
What happens on a whisky tour or whiskey experience?
A popular activity, especially if holidaying in Scotland, is to go for a whisky tour or tasting experience.
These are a wonderful way to learn about how whisky is made - both generally and in the distinct ways a particular distillery creates the unique taste of its owns whiskies.
You will often receive a guided tour of the distillery buildings and hear about its history.
The Glenturret Distillery is the oldest in Scotland that you can still visit to this day. It has been in operation since at least 1763 - as you can imagine the records weren't exactly accurate back then.
As part of the tour, you often receive a whisky tasting experience too. This allows you to try the range of whiskies that the distillery make. You can see for yourself the difference that is made to the flavour of a whisky, depending on the age, the barrels used and other small adjustments.
Browse our Whisky Hamper and Distillery Tour for Him, which includes a voucher for a tour of the oldest distillery in Scotland - The Glenturret.
The wonders of whisky
We hope you have enjoyed this whistle stop tour through the wonderful world of whisky!
If you or a friend have always said 'I don't like whisky', then do give it a second chance. There are so many different types, flavours and styles from all around the world. Perhaps you may find one you like, after all!
Do explore our full spirits range, here