Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains (which may be malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, which are typically made of charred white oak. Uncharred white oak casks previously used for the aging of port, rum or sherry are also sometimes used.
 A glass of whisky | |
| Type | Distilled beverage |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 13th–15th century |
| Alcohol by volume | at least 40%[1] (37% in Australia,[2][3] 43% in South Africa[1]) |
| Proof (US) | 80 and higher |
| Colour | Pale gold to dark amber |
| Ingredients | Malt, water |
| Variants | Irish whiskey, Scotch whisky, Bourbon whiskey, Japanese whisky |
Whisky is a strictly regulated spirit worldwide with many classes and types. The typical unifying characteristics of the different classes and types are the fermentation of grains, distillation, and aging in wooden barrels.