Whisky
A glass of whisky | |
| Type | Distilled beverage |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 13th–15th century |
| Alcohol by volume | At least 40% (37% in Australia, 43% in South Africa) |
| Proof (US) | 80 and higher |
| Colour | Pale gold to dark amber |
| Ingredients | Malt, water |
| Variants | |
| Carcinogenicity: IARC group 1 | |
Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor 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, commonly of charred white oak. Uncharred white oak casks previously used for the aging of port, rum, or sherry may be employed during storage to impart a unique flavour and colour.
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.