Types of Whiskey: A Straightforward Guide

Quick Answer

There are nine widely recognized types of whiskey, defined mostly by where and how they are made: rye, Tennessee, Irish, bourbon, Japanese, Canadian, Scotch, blended, and single malt. The main dividing lines are the country of origin and the grain in the mash bill — bourbon, for example, must be made in the United States from at least 51% corn, while Scotch is made in Scotland and often leans malty or smoky. The spelling follows origin too: the U.S. and Ireland use “whiskey,” while Scotland, Canada, and Japan use “whisky.” All of them start as a fermented grain mash that is distilled and aged in wooden barrels — the differences come down to grain, place, and time. If you are picking one to smoke into a smoked Old Fashioned, a bold bourbon or rye holds up best.

The 9 Types of Whiskey at a Glance

How Many Types of Whiskey are There?

That’s a bit of a loaded question as the definition and categorization does vary a bit. Each country has unique regulations dictating what is and isn’t a whiskey, and how a spirit must be produced and made in order to qualify as a ‘whiskey’.

All that said, generally speaking, there are nine (9) distinct types of whiskeys or categories of whiskey to choose from.

Most Popular Whiskey Types

The 9 Types of Whiskey Include:

• Rye Whiskey
• Canadian Whiskey 
• Japanese Whiskey
• Bourbon Whiskey
• Tennessee Whiskey 
• Irish Whiskey 
• Scotch Whiskey (although scotch is in a category of its own)
• Blended Whiskey
• Single Malt Whiskey 

Whiskey vs Whisky - Which One Is It?

You’ve likely heard or seen it spelled both ways. We assure you it's not a typo, and both spellings are in fact correct depending on the circumstance. Turns out, how its spelled depends on where the spirit was made. 

For example, The use of the ‘e’ in whiskey is an Irish tradition that was passed on to American distillers. To this day, American whiskey is spelled using the ‘e’. 

The Scottish, however, cheeky ladies and gents that they are, do not use the ‘e’, and rather spell their spirits as Whisky. Interestingly, both Japanese and Canadian distillers have also adopted the Scottish spelling. 

1. Rye Whiskey

Proudly made in America, this whiskey is denoted by its rye content, which is required by law to comprise at least 51% of the mash. The remaining ingredients typically include barley and corn, although some distillers experiment with other ingredients for special batches.

The distilling process is identical to that of bourbon, with barrels aged for two or more years labeled as “straight rye whiskey’. As for flavor profiles, rye whiskey tends to have spicier notes and is less sweet and smooth as compared to bourbon.

Pro Tip: Try your rye whiskey smoked.  The spicy rye flavor and smooth smoke flavor pair incredibly well together. You can smoke them right at home with a Smoke Lid Kit.  Save 20% with code TYPE20.

2. Tennessee Whiskey

Technically classified as a ‘bourbon’, there are certain distillers that still resent being lumped into that category. As an alternative, they label the spirits as Tennessee Whiskey. And as you might have gathered, this whiskey is distilled in Tennessee. State law there requires that all distillers use a filtering step called ‘Lincoln County Process’ before letting the whiskey age. 

3. Irish Whiskey

Not to stereotype, but the Irish know their whiskey. Known for its smooth flavor and palate, Irish whiskey is traditionally made from a malt mash, and can only be distilled using both water and caramel coloring. Further, it is a requirement that this spirit be distilled in wooden casks for no less than 3-years to be legally called Irish Whiskey.

4. Bourbon Whiskey

Styled in American fashion, this bourbon’s unique characteristic is that it is made from at least 51% corn mash. IT also must be aged in a brand new oak barrel and made in America. Of note, is that there is no minimum required aging period, but, it must be bottled at 80-proof or higher.

Pro tip: Add to your bourbon drinking experience or surprise your whiskey drinking friend with these Leather Wrapped Whiskey Glasses.  The genuine leather and hand stitching add to the classic American pastime of sipping on whiskey. Save 20% with code TYPE20.

5. Japanese Whisky

A relative newcomer to whisky production, Japan has quickly risen to become a well-respected producer of whiskies. The Japanese follow a process similar to scotch, with the end result similar to some of the finest Scotches produced.

6. Canadian Whisky

One unique aspect of Canadian whisky is that by law, it is required that Canadian whisky be barrel-aged for a minimum of 3-years. This process results in a smoother and lighter whisky. Generally speaking, most Canadian whiskies are made from a high corn content sometimes mixed with rye, wheat, and/or barley. 

7. Scotch Whisky

Simply referred to as ‘scotch’, this whisky is made ONLY in Scotland. The Scots take the distillation process seriously, with tight regulations and laws surrounding how the spirit is made. Using either malt or grain, each whisky must be aged in an oak barrel for a minimum of three years, with an ‘age statement’ listed on each bottle. Scotch is notoriously complex and nuanced, with a smoky flavor from the use of peat water.

Pro Tip: These sophisticated crystal whiskey glasses are the perfect compliment to a sophisticated Scotch whskey. Check out the Signature Series glasses for drinking Scotch. Save 20% with code TYPE20.

8. Blended Whiskey

As the name suggests, blended whiskey highlights the fact that these spirits are a mixture or ‘blend’ of more than one single malt whiskey, OR, a blend of other blended whiskies. 

This whiskey term is also used to describe a whiskey that is blended with other flavors, grains, or colorings.

Although high-end blended whiskies exist, in most cases, blends are seen by whiskey aficionados as inferior. As such, blended whiskey is often a more budget-friendly option, and used frequently in the making of cocktails where the quality of the whiskey is overshadowed by other flavors and thus less important.

Pro Tip: Try creating your own whiskey flavor profile by blending flavors in an Infusion Flavoring Kit. Save 20% with code TYPE20.

9. Single Malt Whiskey

Single malt whiskey or scotch is made from a single batch at a distillery. All single malt must be aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels prior to being bottled.

The term single malt stems from a key ingredient: malted barley. However, within America, single malt is sometimes made from rye instead of malted barley. 

No matter which whiskey type you choose, Aged & Charred makes it easy to find the best cocktail smoker for any drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of whiskey are there?

Most experts recognize nine main types: rye, Tennessee, Irish, bourbon, Japanese, Canadian, Scotch, blended, and single malt. The exact count varies because each country writes its own rules for what qualifies as whiskey, but these nine cover the styles you will actually find on a shelf or a bar’s back wall.

What is the difference between whiskey and whisky?

It is a spelling difference tied to origin, not a difference in the drink itself. The United States and Ireland spell it “whiskey,” while Scotland, Canada, and Japan spell it “whisky.” A rough memory trick: countries with an “e” in their name (the United States, Ireland) tend to use the “e” in whiskey.

Is bourbon a type of whiskey?

Yes. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon is a specific style that, by U.S. law, must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Those rules are what give bourbon its characteristic sweetness and vanilla-caramel notes.

What is the most popular type of whiskey?

Bourbon and Scotch are the two most widely recognized styles worldwide. Bourbon dominates in the United States, while Scotch has the broadest international following. Irish whiskey has also grown quickly in popularity thanks to its smooth, approachable profile.

Which whiskey is best for a smoked Old Fashioned?

A bold, spirit-forward bourbon or rye works best, because it stands up to the smoke without getting lost. Bourbon leans sweeter with vanilla and caramel, while rye brings more spice and dryness. For the full method, see our guide to the smoked Old Fashioned.

Sources

U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, 27 CFR Part 5. ttb.gov