What are the ingredients of whisky?

Water is the main ingredient of whisky, making up around 60-70% of the final product. The quality of the water used is essential to the taste of the whisky, and different distilleries use different water sources, such as spring water, river water, or even rainwater.

Barley

Barley is the grain most commonly used to make whisky. It is malted by soaking the barley in water and then allowing it to germinate. The germination process produces enzymes that convert the starches in the barley into sugars.

Yeast

Yeast is a fungus that is used to ferment the sugars in the barley. When yeast is added to the wort (the liquid produced after the barley has been mashed with water), it converts the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Oak barrels

Whisky is aged in oak barrels for a period of time, which can range from a few years to several decades. The type of oak used, as well as the age and condition of the barrels, all contribute to the final flavour of the whisky.

Other ingredients

In addition to the four main ingredients listed above, some whiskies may also contain other ingredients, such as peat smoke, herbs, or spices. These ingredients can add additional flavours and aromas to the whisky.