Whiskey is a wide-ranging, fascinating topic. The more you learn, the deeper you dig, and there never seems to be an end to all the details you can uncover.

Not too long ago, we posted a blog breaking down the different types of whiskey (and when to spell it “whiskey” or “whisky”). That was just to whet your appetite as you wet your whistle, so let’s keep ‘er movin’ and break down…

The difference between blended and single-malt whiskies

Whiskey enthusiasts will always tell you their preference between blended and single-malt whiskies. While a solid single-malt whiskey shows impressive technical brilliance on the part of the distiller, for us it’s all about the taste. Blended whiskey can achieve complex and varied notes, and it also shows quite a bit of savvy on the part of the blender.

So what’s the difference in whiskies?

Blended

A carefully curated mix of whiskies, often distilled from different grains, sometimes using different techniques, all to achieve a desired flavor. Ages, grains, and barrel wood content all bring unique flavor notes to the whiskey. Blended whiskies offer the distiller more control over the final flavor of the whiskey.

Single Malt

One batch of scotch whisky from one single distillery, aged in oak at least three years before bottling. The main ingredient is malted barley, though in America it can be malted rye instead. This kind of whisky is also “blended,” but only from different barrels of single-grain whisky produced at the same distillery. The term “single malt” refers to the use of a single type of grain by one single distillery.

Which one is better? Honestly, blended gets our vote. In our opinion, blended whiskies tend to be more consistent, nuanced, and better tasting. But fans of single malts love them as an undiluted representation of what a particular distillery is capable of on its own. Either way is a literal barrel of fun!

…sorry. But while we’re on that topic,

Same upbringing, different life choices. 😉

Why is whiskey aged in wooden barrels?

The wood imparts a lot of the flavor we associate with whiskey. It acts as a filter, absorbing and expelling the whiskey as the seasons change. During that process, a lot of complex chemical reactions happen that we won’t get into here, but all of them affect how the whiskey tastes. Climate changes, the other spirits that may have previously been stored in those barrels, and even the specific type of wood used all give whiskey its complex flavor.

The type of wood used for whiskey barrels varies, though it’s usually American white oak. Canadian whiskey isn’t limited to oak barrels, for example, and a variety of flavors can be obtained by blending whiskies aged in barrels made of different woods, or barrels that have been used to age other spirits. Most whiskies are aged in charred barrels, though some are not. Tennessee Whiskey is even filtered through charcoal made from sugar maple!

And we’re sure you’re asking the same thing we did way back when:

Why are whiskey barrels charred?

There’s a whole science just in the charring process. The very short answer is that the charring process releases or converts different chemicals in the wood in a way that flavors the whiskey and makes them easier to absorb. It also helps filter out some of the bad chemicals that arise during the distillation process. Whisky Advocate goes into more detail on the charring process if you’re interested. And speaking of homework…

Read more about whiskey!

If you’d like to go even further down the rabbit hole, we recommend a few articles on The Whisky Exchange about blended whiskies, and a comprehensive deep-dive into the history of American whiskey. Whiskey.com also has a good breakdown on different types of American whiskies, which might help you dial in the flavor you’re looking for. If you’d like to become an “instant expert,” Whiskey Advocate has a great writeup on American Whiskey. The Spruce Eats has an even deeper dive into the difference between blended and single-malt whiskies, and it’s fascinating!

We also recommend letting your taste buds decide! Ask the owner of your local liquor store about some of those whiskeys they carry. Buy a couple and try them out. If one of them doesn’t quite gel with you, we bet you know someone who’d love to finish it for you.

If you’re looking for a place to start, our very own Shorewood Whiskey is a blended American whiskey with no neutral grain spirits. It has a smooth flavor at a friendly price that lets you enjoy it whenever you like. Why wait when you can make any occasion special? Shorewood Whiskey will be there every day to handle the heavy lifting!