Differences Between Irish Whiskey and American Whiskey

Irish Whiskey vs American Whiskey

If you’re from the U.S., you probably have had your dose of Irish whiskey. Irish whiskey became popular in America since its introduction. Irish whiskey became popular among young drinkers and among the groovy bartenders. Since Irish whiskey has been on the mix with the native American whiskey in the U.S., many now wonder about the differences between these two whiskeys.

Despite the surge of the Irish whiskey into the U.S. market since its sales continue to increase annually, many people still prefer the American whiskey. It is said that the American whiskey has a better quality than the Irish whiskey if we would base it on its sales. If the American whiskey has higher sales, then we can conclude that several people show great interest in it – meaning, better taste and quality. As for me, it really depends on the preference of a single person.

Undoubtedly, both Irish and American whiskeys are delicious, amber spirits. The main difference between the two whiskeys is their primary ingredients. The primary ingredient of Irish whiskey is barley while the American whiskey can be corn, rye, or wheat. The Irish whiskey can also be a blend of barley and malt, so sometimes you can have a drink of malt and unmalted Irish whiskey. On the other hand, there are four kinds of American whiskey which include:  bourbon, Tennessee, rye, and American blend. This may be the reason why many Americans still prefer their own American whiskeys – a variety of choices.

When it comes to taste, the Irish whiskey gives off a lighter and less sweet flavor than the full-bodied version of the American whiskey. The presence of barley and malt in the Irish whiskey makes this light flavor possible. The Irish people are also meticulous when it comes to the production of their whiskeys. We all know that whiskeys become more flavorful if we let them age longer. The Irish follow this concept in making their whiskey. They make use of older barrels in aging their whiskeys. For a minimum of three years the Irish whiskey is aged so that it will become more flavorful.

On the other hand, the Americans are not as patient as the Irish. They want to produce their whiskeys faster. Instead of using very old barrels, Americans use new and charred oak barrels in aging their whiskeys for a minimum of two years. Americans use new barrels and age their whiskeys in just two years because they want the whiskey to look newer and clearer. And perhaps, Americans just can’t hold back from getting their hands on what is termed “the good stuff.” And because the Irish and American whiskeys are stored and aged in different types of barrels, there exists differences among the flavors.

If you want something more classic in a whiskey, then the Irish whiskey is just right for you. However, if you want to taste different flavors of whiskey, you can try the American whiskey. The American whiskey has bourbon, Tennessee, rye, and American blend flavors.  It really depends on your palate. If you want a lighter flavor, go for the Irish. If you want a stronger hit, get the American.

Summary:

1. The main difference between the two whiskeys is their primary ingredients. The primary ingredient of Irish whiskey is barley while the American whiskey can be corn, rye, or wheat.

2. When it comes to taste, the Irish whiskey gives off a lighter and less sweet flavor than the full-bodied version of the American whiskey.

3. The Irish age their whiskeys for a minimum of three years while the Americans age their whiskeys for a minimum of two years.

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