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drying process takes place in sealed ovens. Irish whisky distillers use Irish grown grains and age their product for three years.

American whiskey began with the use of corn but distillers soon turned to rye. Bourbon and Rye Whiskey are two of the major blends made in America. Bourbon is made from a mixture of at least 51% corn grain with malted barley and may contain some rye. American whiskies are aged in new barrels made from oak that have been blackened, or charred, on the insides. Sweet mash and sour mash are the two styles of bourbon. The most popular of these styles is"sour mash," the type of whiskey made by George Dickel and Jack Daniels. Most Bourbon comes with the label "Kentucky Straight Bourbon," which means it is made from at least 50% corn and aged for two years in the charred oak barrels. Tennessee Whiskey is another major American whiskey and over a time frame of about ten days, it is filtered through about ten feet of maple charcoal.

Canadian whiskies combine rye, corn and malted barley and are known as the lightest whiskies of all. It is permissible in the process of distilling Canadian whiskies to add a small portion, usually less than 1% of another product such as wine or sherry. These whiskies are also aged in new barrels for at least three years, sometimes longer. One of the most popular of the Canadian whiskies is Crown Royal.

The finest of whiskies are usually consumed by adding spring water. Most Scottish drinkers forego the use of ice while American whiskey imbibers can't get it cold enough. The addition of a little coffee or Coca-cola to the whiskey is a favorite, as is the adding whiskey to foods to create such delicious recipes as: Bourbon Pecan Pie, Whiskey Fudge Cake or Sweet Potato Pudding with Tennessee Whiskey Sauce.

Wine is fine, but fine spirits, such as whiskey, cannot be consumed in the same way one would taste of wine. Compared to the 40% or so alcohol content of whiskey, wine has an alcohol content up to 15%. Have a shot of wine, then have a shot of whiskey and you'll be singing those words, "Wine is fine, but whiskey is" DEFINITELY quicker!

Sources:
http://www.drinkfocus. com/whiskey/index.php
http://www.thewhiskyguide.com/ Facts/History.html
http://slate .com/id/2167292/
http://en.wiki pedia.org/wiki/Whiskey
http://w ww.whisky.com/history.html
http ://www.foodnetwork.com/food/wd _basics/article/0,1975,FOOD_10 016_3929892,00.html

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