American Made: A brief overview of American whiskey

American Whiskey

Whiskey in America has a rich and storied history dating back to the colonial era. Beginning with the arrival of European settlers, who brought their distillation techniques and a love for whiskey, production continued to spread throughout the United States and states like Pennsylvania and Kentucky became pillars in the whiskey industry.

As the nation continued to expand westward, the whiskey industry followed, with the establishment of iconic brands such as Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam in the 19th century. Prohibition in the 1920s dealt a significant blow to the industry, but it rebounded after its repeal, paving the way for the rise of bourbon as America's native spirit. Today, American whiskey enjoys global recognition and appreciation, with a diverse range of styles, captivating whiskey lovers worldwide. 

Types of American Whiskey
There are six major types of American whiskey made from different types of fermented grains and all are regulated by law. The six major types of American whiskey are Rye Whiskey, Rye Malt Whiskey, Malt Whiskey, Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, and Corn Whiskey. There are also several other types of American whiskey that do not specify a dominant grain, these are Blended Whiskey, Blend of Straight Whiskey, Light Whiskey, and Spirit Whiskey. For more info on each of these types of American whiskey, be sure to check out the rest of our blog posts which go more in-depth on a variety of spirits.

Whiskey vs. whisky
For those who are regular whiskey buyers, you may have noticed a difference in the spelling of the word whiskey across brands. Some distillers spell it "whiskey" while others spell it "whisky." Primarily, this distinction stems from the geographical location of the product. Typically, products from the United States and Ireland will use the spelling "whiskey" while products from places like Scotland, Japan, and Canada will use the spelling "whisky." Both share similar production methods and basic ingredients, however, it's worth noting that spelling conventions can vary within countries and even among different producers. For most products that you see come out of the United States however, you will see the familiar spelling of "whiskey