To the naked eye, whiskey, Scotch, and bourbon look the same. They are brown liquors with a strong taste and smokey undertones. However, their flavors are usually slightly different. There are also important distinctions in how they’re made. To help you become a booze expert, here is more information about how these options differ.

What’s the Difference Between These Types of Alcohol?

Whiskey

This is a distilled spirit made from grain. It comes in barley, wheat, corn, and rye varieties. To make it, the grains are soaked in hot water to release sugars, then yeast is added to ferment these into alcohol. The liquid is then distilled and aged in barrels.

Scotch and bourbon are two varieties of it. Other variations include Tennessee whiskey, Irish whiskey, and rye whiskey. It can have many different flavors because of its range of types. Sometimes additives like apple, cinnamon, or even hot sauce are included for an added kick.

Scotch

Scotch is whiskey made primarily out of malted barley. In order for a product to be considered Scotch, it needs to be made in Scotland.

While there, it must be matured for at least three years in oak barrels. It comes in single-malt, blended malt, single-grain, and distilled grain varieties. The taste is smooth and often smokey, containing notes of caramel, orange peel, vanilla, and spice. 

Bourbon

Bourbon is a type of whiskey made from distilled corn mash. It needs to use at least 51% corn, and the rest of the grains are malt and rye. No flavors or additives are allowed in bourbon, and it’s required to be made in the United States.

It must also be aged for at least two years. It can be either smooth or harsh, and sometimes has some heat to it. It may have hints of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, and spice. 

If you’re looking to try some whiskey, Scotch, or bourbon, stop into Evergreen Liquor Store in Kalispell, MT. They’ve been in business for over 30 years and their employees are passionate about finding you the right alcohol for any occasion. They offer a large selection of whiskey, including some made in Montana. Call (406) 755-1408 to ask about their stock or visit their website to learn about their selection.