Whiskey primer for budding aficionados

For many, the different styles of whiskey often confuse and scare off newcomers. The wide variety of taste profiles and the almost snobbish vocabulary aficionados use turn away many who want to learn more about whiskeys.

First, some history. Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage that likely originated in the monasteries of the British Isles. The word Whiskey is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word for water. Though if you tasted one of the original whiskeys James IV of Scotland greatly admired, you would find it very raw.  Renaissance era whiskeys are not aged or diluted.

Over the years, the process was refined, and the drink became more refined, as we now know today. Along the way, different styles started to take shape, often based on where the whiskey is produced.

The first main difference is what is used for fermentation. The monasteries in Scotland and Ireland used barley, which grows well in the area’s cold, wet climate. Barley is allowed to malt, which is the process of soaking the barley in water, but is halted from germination by drying with hot air. This process causes the carbohydrates in the grain to be broken down into sugars, then fermented and distilled.  When you see terms like single malt, it means the whiskey is made fro malted barley from a single distillery.

The fermented grain mixture is called mash. Mash traditionally uses a portion of a previous fermentation as the “starter,” similar to the sourdough process. It helps to ensure a proper pH level for the yeast to convert sugars into alcohol.

Starter mash whiskey, rather than that made with only yeast, is called a sour mash and the process creates acidity. Once distilled, you will not taste the acidity. You will find the Irish differ from the Scottish in distillation, where the Irish distill the mash three times, the Scottish only do it twice. Some like the cleaner taste of the Irish whiskey, while others enjoy the flavor of Scottish, especially those of the Islay style, where the peat moss is used to dry the malt, which gives it the unique smokey flavor many enjoy.

As European settlers came to the Americas, they brought their love of Aqua Vitae, meaning Vital Water, from their homeland. They adapted the recipes to the abundance of corn in the Americans to make their mash, which results in a sweeter product versus barley. Bourbon was likely started by Scots and Irish settlers in present-day Kentucky. It’s believed Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, was first to age the distilled alcohol in charred oak barrels, giving it the unique, bold flavor profile. To this day, by law, all bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels and made with a 51% corn-based mash.

Back in the British Isles, whiskey distilleries traditionally used old wine and port barrels to age their whiskeys. As Bourbon became more popular in recent years, many whiskey makers switched to use old Bourbon barrels. Thus, you will find many Scottish labels stating the type of barrels used for aging,  impacting their taste profile.

Lastly, the longer you age a whiskey, the more of the barrel’s flavors are imparted into the drink. You will find the Scottish and Irish whiskeys to be aged longer than those in warmer climates. Part of that is, the evaporation process is slower in colder temperatures, resulting in a slower aging process. This is often referred to as the “Angel’s share.” You will find some fine Whiskeys like Kavalan, aged in Taiwan, or Bourbons in Kentucky, to have a shorter age duration, as the angel’s share is collected faster than in Scotland.

Hopefully, this gives you a basic understanding so that you can pick out a great gift this holiday. Or be dangerous in chatting with your local aficionado.

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Something special happens when you greet your favorite cut of meat with heat and smoke from a well-prepared BBQ. The essence of the smoke and the slow cooking process creates some of the most flavorful foods you will find throughout the world.

R Smokehouse

Our community is incredibly lucky to have a great BBQ smokehouse right in the middle of Coral Springs.  4 Rivers Smokehouse is well known all over Florida for its hickory-smoked BBQ. Named after the Rivers family, our local Coral Springs location is a great place to get your fi ll of juicy brisket.

Lean and Juicy Brisket with Smoked Sausages

Smoked brisket is the quintessential smoked meat cut. The process of building the fire, managing the temperature, and seasoning the meat is a ritual found in many backyards.The delicate smokey flavor can not be easily created by a propane grill and often takes at least half a day to BBQ correctly. At 4 Rivers Smokehouse, they have done all the work, and all you need to bring is your appetite.

4 Rivers Smokehouse prepares everything from scratch to achieve those authentic BBQ flavors. They spend 18 hours smoking their brisket so you can pick it up in a jiffy. You have a choice of lean or juicy cuts and can enjoy it in various ways – sandwich, tacos, or bunless. My preference is a bunless, juicy cut; biting into it, you can taste the sweet hickory-smoke infused
into the beef. Heaven, if you love beef.

Burnt Ends, sweet and tangy, is another favorite choice. At 4 Rivers Smokehouse, they come in beef, chicken, and pork. For vegetarians who want to enjoy the smoked flavor, BeyondMeatTM Burnt Ends are also available, so you don’t miss out on the great smokey experience.

The real challenge is saving room for dessert, and they have some great ones on the menu right now. Their Tipsy Cowboy Cake, made with real bourbon, is delicious. The best is their Krispy Kreme donut bread pudding, made with real Krispy Kreme donuts; it’s an indulgence worth saving room for.

One of my favorites is currently only available on their catering menu – BBQ wings. These wings are smoked in the same hickory-smoke as the brisket. The result is meat that is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. You must try it if you decide to have 4 Rivers Smokehouse cater your events.

During the past few months, catering, curbside, and delivery has been very popular. As Broward slowly reopens, the spacious dining room has reopened as well with social distancing protocols in place. With the fall season, some favorites like sweet potato casserole and smoked jalapeños are back on the menu.

Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Closed Sundays)
2660 NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065
Phone: (844) 474-8377

By Curiously Hungry