You may have heard the saying that “all bourbon is whiskey, but whiskey is not always bourbon.” If you’re a whiskey (and especially bourbon) drinker, you need to know what that means.  The simple answer is that a strict set of federal trade regulations defines what’s what. While whiskey is made all over the world, American whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain and usually aged in an oak barrel. The various types (rye, rye malt, wheat,...

Moonshine has appeared many times on television whether it be in a jar with XXX on it or mentioned by name. Very few people can tell you exactly what it is when asked though. The answer isn’t as easy as many people think it is. There isn’t just one alcohol that falls into the category of moonshine. Traditionally the term moonshine refers to any illegal alcohol but even that has changed.  Now moonshine refers to a variety of different alcohols. The most popular, and publicly...

Once a star at the bar, Rye had lost its sheen, and for decades, became an obscure whiskey made by a few distilleries. However, just when it seemed that Rye had become a part of whiskey history, it came back with a bang and more distilleries are noticing the trend. New brands are coming in the market as more manufacturers are making this whiskey. Though the way in which both Bourbon and Rye whiskeys are made are quite similar, there are a lot of differences in the mashbill, taste, percentage alc...

Cover crops are an important part of the agricultural industry. They have been used for hundreds of years as a natural way to maintain and protect soil. Cover crops, also referred to as, “green manure,” are hardy plants that are planted to cover and protect bare soil, usually after the fall harvest or before crops are grown in the spring.  Bare soil is vulnerable to elements such as wind and rain, weeds, pests, and loss of nutrients. Benefits of Cover CropsCover crops offer...

The proper storage of grains is crucial in the distillery process. Without having the grain storage system in place, you could be compromising the quality of the grains used to produce your product. Take a look at the three major whisky distilling countries and see how each process distinguishes itself from the others.Scottish WhiskyFrom the cliffs and moors of Scotland, you will find nearly 100 distilleries scattered throughout the country. This is the largest amount of distilleries in a single...

So you want to drink some whiskey?You may enjoy a glass in the comfort of your own home, but do you really know how to drink it properly in public?  Just like anything else in this world, there is a certain culture that comes with drinking whiskey.  There is an art that accompanies the glass.  If you want to be taken seriously as a whisky drinker, there are some basic things you need to know about your beverage and the social expectations that go with it.  Don’t wo...

When it comes to purchasing grain from a rye grain supplier, climate is one of many factors that play a key role in the process. Climate affects everything from the production of the grain all the way to energy being used to produce the bourbon. Here are three ways in which the climate may impact the environment or how the distilling process impacts the environment itself.  Grain ProductionThinking about how the grain production process is impacted by climate change due to the effects ...

Have you ever noticed that they are two different spellings of whiskey?  Well, here is your chance to gain a little more knowledge.  The spelling of “whisky” without the ‘e’ is used for whiskys produced solely in Scotland.  It has been said that it is spelled without the “e” because the Scots believe that the extra letter wastes perfectly good drinking time.The rest of the whiskey producers in the world use the spelling of “whiskey&rd...

In conjunction with our blog “The Art of Whiskey” post, here is a piece of knowledge that can help you enjoy your glass of whiskey to it’s fullest.  The grains supplied for each type of whiskey impact the drinking experience just as much as the whiskey-making process does.  Give it a sniff – So even before you take your first sip…smell the beverage.  Nosing the whiskey will inform your palette of what to expect.  Take it the smell and ...

The history of whiskey dates back centuries.  It is often said that this distillation process was started amongst Christian monks in both Ireland and Scotland during the 11th and 13th centuries.  The practice became privatized when King Henry VIII removed all of the monasteries in Scotland.  This left the monks without an income, so they started private distilleries and rye grain services that spread across the country.  The process continued to grow and expand...