The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #68367   Message #1151007
Posted By: Blackcatter
31-Mar-04 - 11:06 AM
Thread Name: BS: Wild turkeys ?
Subject: RE: BS: Wild turkeys ?
Yes - when considering the "organization" of distilled spirits, bourbon is a form of whiskey. It's main differences from Scotch Whisky (note no 'e') is that it is made primarily from corn and it is commonly aged in barrels that have been burned on the inside to form charcoal, which adds much of the flavor and color. That is different from Tennessee whiskey in that Tennessee whiskey is filtered through charcoal on it's way to the aging barrels which, like those in Scotland and Ireland are unburnt.

The main forms of whiskey are: Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, Rye whiskey, Canadian whiskey.

And the difference between Scotch and Irish? Both malt the barley over a peat fire, but the Scots do it in an open container, which allows varying degrees of the peat smoke to change the flavor of the barly mash. The Irish do it in a closed container.

Wild Turkey is a Bourbon.

By the way - whisky is about the only thing still legitimately called "Scotch" (other than tape). The preferred term for everything else is "Scots"