Frequently Asked Questions about Whisky

1) ) Which is the correct manner of drinking Whisky: with water or without water ?

Initially we would like to state that everybody has the right to take their Whisky as they wish and in a most pleasurable way. But, if one wants to follow the international rules:
Single Malt is exclusively in a sherry glass and should be taken pure or at the maximum with 1 cc of water, of excellent quality, preferably mineral without gas, in order to liberate the Whisky's bouquet
Vatted is taken as Single Malt.
Grain may be taken pure, with ice, or with ice and water. Any choice of glass.
Blended is taken in the same way as Grain , may be taken pure, with ice or with ice and water. Preferably in a low or high glass.

2) Which are the adequate glasses ?

Cherry Glass to drink Single Malt or Vatted	Short glass to Scotch Whisky on the rocks	High glass Scotch Whisky with water and ice cubes

3 ) What is the origin of "Cowboy " Whisky

It is believed that the origin is with the American cowboys, although in Scotland it is very common to take a "Dram" in a very small glass, fit for a minimal dose.

4) Is the 12-year Whisky stronger than the 8-year Whisky ?

The 12-year Scotch Whisky is not stronger than the so called 8-year Whisky, whose correct name is "Standard'. The 12-year Whisky is more mature and has a softer taste (rounder).

5) Which are the different types of Scotch Whisky ?

Single Malt is made exclusively from barley, in only one Distillery and with no other Scotch Whisky mixture.
Vatted is a pure malt which has the mixture of two or more Single Malt.
Grain is a Scotch Whisky made from grains, essentially corn or wheat, and sometimes with the inclusion of a small quantity of rye or barley.
Blended is a mixture of Single Malts with Grain Whiskies. Normally about 35 to 45 different whiskies are used to compose a blended one.

Note: In the United States, each American State uses a designation and different formulations to designate the beverage as bourbon, rye, whiskey, etc...

6) What is the difference between "Whiskey" and "Whisky" ?

The beverage can only be named Scotch Whisky if it is distilled in Scotland and aged to a minimum of three years in Scotland.
Whiskey = as it is called in Ireland and the U. S. A.
Whisky = as it is called in Canada and in many other countries (it is a generic name)

7) How can one identify a falsified Whisky ?

It is very difficult for consumers with little experience to identify falsified or transplanted whiskies.
Today the falsified ones are a minority, but what exists most are the transplanted ones, that is, when an empty bottle of a well-known brand is filled with cheap local Whisky.

8) How many distilleries are working in Scotland ?

At present 87 (eighty seven) Single Malt distilleries and 06 (six) of Grain Whisky.

9) Is the difference in colour related to quality ?

The colour is not related to Scotch Whisky quality.

10) Does Whisky have a variation in alcoholic grades ?

Most countries use 40% or 43% G.L. , however, there are Single Malts with 45% and 46% and, exceptionally up to 61.6%..