Vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, tequila, brandy, cocktail and other alcoholic beverages always play an important role on many occasions, like wedding, party, celebration. Wonderful liquor and spirits give a enjoyable memory to your family and friends. For alcohol brand owners, creating custom liquor bottles with aesthetic appearance is great tool for recognizable brand’s personality.
Different types of whiskeys
Whiskey spirit is distilled from grains like barley, corn, rye, wheat and aged in wooden barrels to develop a better taste favor. According to the distinctly different method of production and origin, there are four world-famous whiskeys, including Irish whiskey, Scotch whisky, American whiskey and Canadian whiskey. With the increasing popularity of whiskey spirit, many other countries are producing impressive whiskeys. Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, England, India and South Africa are known for their own whiskey brands.
No matter what whiskey flavor you are interested in, you can easily find your desirable whiskey brand in the bar. In this article, we will focus on the differences between Scotch whisky and Bourbon whiskey.
Scotch Whisky-the iconic single malts and blends
Scotch whisky enjoys a high popularity worldwide due to its unique flavor, quality, heritage and craft. Scottish whisky, fermented from grain, is whisky that is only made in Scotland and matured in oak casks for at least three years. Actually, many distilled Scotch will be aged in the barrels more than three years before marketing. The longer whisky spirit matured in a cask, the rougher, harsher flavors of the alcohol are broken down by the wood, developing a smoother taste.
Whiskey is a distilled spirit for many countries and origins in the world, while whisky is only for Scotch. Scotch whisky has strong smoky aroma. The distinctive flavor for Scotch comes from peat burned in the barley malting process. Scottish whisky has very strict regulations that it must be made from malted barley, water and yeast. There are five Scotch whisky regions protected in law by UK legislation, including Speyside, Islay, Highlands, Lowlands and Campbeltown.
To be a Scotch, the distillers must meet several essential laws which states that your whisky spirit is legal with Scottish label.
Geographic region: Scotch whisky must be fermented, produced, distilled, aged and labeled in Scotland.
Ingredients: Scotch should be produced with grains, yeast, water and caramel coloring.
Proof: Scottish whisky must be distilled to at least 80 proof (94.8%ABV), and the minimum proof for bottled whiskys must be 80 proof (40%ABV).
Aging: Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels at least three years. When a bottle of Scotch displays an age statement, the youngest whisky blended in that bottle must be at least as old as the displayed age statement.
Bourbon whiskey – American’s Native Spirit
Bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskeys are Bourbons. Just like Scotch whisky, Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, which was originally distilled in Bourbon Country, Kentucky. From the name of Bourbon, the first impression is old-fashioned, traditional and strong alcohol flavor.
While the rules for Bourbon whiskey is not as strict as Scotch whisky, it still has to conform to the specific American regulations. Bourbon is American spirit, which must be made in the United States in US. It is made from corn, accounting for no less than 51%, which gives Bourbon a sweeter taste. No other blended ingredients or additives – except water- in Bourbon whiskey. Thanks to its pure ingredients, Bourbon whiskey is strong and straight alcohol, colorless, working as the basic liquor for mixed drinks like cocktails.
This distilled liquor is aged in new, charred American white oak barrels at least two years, and must be no less than 80 proof. It is common to have tequilas, rums, and other whiskeys aged in used Bourbon barrels.
Types of Scotch whisky
It is easily for you to find your favorite Scotch whisky favor in the bars. There is basic five Scottish whisky styles: single malt Scotch whisky, also known as malt whisky, single grain whisky, blended whisky, blended malt whisky and blended grain whisky.
Single malt whisky
Single malt whisky, accounting for 11% of export volume, is a Scotch full of richness and complexity. A malt whisky is made from only malted barley with no other grains, distilled in copper pot stills and traditionally aged in oak barrels no less than three years. In addition, the single malt Scotch whisky must be produced at a single distillery all processes and finally bottled in Scotland.
Single grain whisky
Single grain whisky is different from malt Scotch whisky in ingredients. Comparing to single malt whisky, single grain whisky made from malted barley with or without whole grains or other malted or unmalted cereals. Both malt whisky and single grain whisky must be distilled at a single distillery.
Blended malt Scotch whisky
Blended malt Scotch whisky is a whisky spirit that is distilled at more than more distillery to combine two or more single malt Scotch whiskys. The process for blended whisky is complex. Because whiskys from different distilleries are unique in their own characters and favors, which makes the combination step difficult.
Blended single grain whisky
Blended single grain whisky is combined with two or more single grain Scotch whisky, then distilled the mixed whiskys in different distilleries.
Blended Scotch whisky,
Blended Scotch whisky accounts for 75% of the total export volume. Blended whisky gives wonderful drinking experience, almost nine of 10 bottles of Scotch enjoyed around the workd are blended Scotch whiskys. It is formed by one or more malt whiskys and one or more single grain whiskys. Thanks to the of Scottish whiskys mixed, blended whisky is versatile in favors, including heavier smokey and peaty, lighter alcohol and fruity whisky tastes.
Types of Bourbon whiskey
By the standard and tradition, Bourbon whiskey is made of at least 50 corn. However, more and more people pursue a different Bourbon taste. To meet the whiskey market trend, whiskey distilleries try to design fancy glass liquor bottles for their whiskey products. At same time, whiskey spirit brands will try with new flavors. There are 4 different Bourbon whiskey types: traditional bourbon, high rye bourbon, wheated burbon and non-traditional bourbon.
Tradition Bourbon
Tradition Bourbon contains minimum 51% corn, common around 71 percent. The more of corn, the sweeter taste in bottled bourbon whiskey.
High rye Bourbon
High rye Bourbon is distinctively different taste from traditional bourbon. Whiskey producers will add high percentage of rye after corn, which will create a bold, spicy flavored whiskey.
Wheated Bourbon
Wheated Bourbon producers always add wheat as the primary flavoring after corn. Unlike spicy rye whiskey, Bourbon with wheat tastes smoother, mellower rounded flavor, perfect for women and new drinkers.
Scotch VS Bourbon Taste
Though Scotch and Bourbon have lots similarities, they are different in favors. If you’re wondering how to select your favourite whiskey spirit taste, please keep read.
Scotch whisky is sharp, distinct flavor than the taste of Bourbon whiskey. Scotch are various in flavors and you will always find your desired taste. Blended Scotch is smoother, malty and buttery, with a spicy finish. Single malt Scotch whisky tastes oaky and woody, and some malt Scotch is smoky and peaty.
Bourbon whiskey tends to be sweeter than Scotch whisky for its main ingredient corn. Also, Bourbon is more mellow, with vanilla, oak or caramel flavors.
Scotch is expensive than Bourbon
It is easier to find that Scotch whiskys are commonly higher prices than Bourbon whiskeys on the store shelves. Scotch is made from barley, and many Scottish distilleries will use Scottish barley, which will increase the raw material cost of Scotch. While Bourbon is made from corn, which is much cheaper than barley.
In addition, Scotch whisky must be aged in barrels at least three years, while Bourbon is aged 2 years or more. The ageing process will increase extra cost for Scotch whisky.
Scotch whisky sizes VS Bourbon
When it comes to liquor bottle sizes, 1 Liter glass liquor bottle, 750 ml glass bottles, 70 cl bottle, 500ml liquor bottles, 375ml bottles, 200ml alcohol bottle and mini 50ml bottles are common for liquor packaging.
- 750ml glass bottles are standard for wine, liquor and spirits distilleries in US, Mexico, Canada, but not standard for whisky bottles suppliers in Europe.
- 700ml bottle is legal for whiskey bottling in Europe and UK, but not used for Bourbon.
- 50 cl bottle is used for some notable whisky spirits in UK and other European markets. While 500ml glass bottles for liquor are not allowed in USA.
- Blank whiskey bottle 375 ml bottles are both legal for Scotch and Bourbon.
- 1 Liter liquor bottle volume is popular in the duty-free section, popular for distribution.
Find Bulk Whiskey Bottles
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