Origin
American whiskey: Spirit of independence of the United States
Art of distillery was known in colonies of the New World already in 17th century, but it wasn’t about a
mass production it has quite local character.
It’s all changed with mass arrival of immigrants from Ireland and Scotland at the continent. With desire to conquer new lands, free of bonds of traditions, they also brought skills of distilling and love of whiskey. The fertile lands which gave abundant grain crops seemed to respond the desire of colonists to produce whiskey. Excessive grains was used for spirit production. The number of distilleries grew up as did the favor for rye whiskey and bourbon.
By 19th century corn spirit has been shipped in barrels all over the country. In 1964 bourbon was claimed as national asset of the state by the Federal Law of USA, and thereby caused a new wave of growth production of American whiskey in the 89’s of the 20th century, that still hasn’t faded.
It’s all changed with mass arrival of immigrants from Ireland and Scotland at the continent. With desire to conquer new lands, free of bonds of traditions, they also brought skills of distilling and love of whiskey. The fertile lands which gave abundant grain crops seemed to respond the desire of colonists to produce whiskey. Excessive grains was used for spirit production. The number of distilleries grew up as did the favor for rye whiskey and bourbon.
By 19th century corn spirit has been shipped in barrels all over the country. In 1964 bourbon was claimed as national asset of the state by the Federal Law of USA, and thereby caused a new wave of growth production of American whiskey in the 89’s of the 20th century, that still hasn’t faded.
Legend
Billy Bong – the main consumer of American whiskey and bourbon, the cowboy
An American cowboy. A romantic character, nowadays. In a time of prairies conquest and wars with the
Indians the cowboys were real warriors. Rude, brave and fearless.
Wildlife in the Wild West set its own new principles. Gentle hood and good manners was not popular. Open manners, simple pleasures of life: saloons and alcohol made up a quiet life of a cowboy. His work was hard and low paid, he wasn’t used to fancy drinks.
Fire-water - this is what suits the spirit of a new habitant of free American States. This alcohol was made of 100% rye. The drink was hard and has harsh taste. In those days, corn having its abundance stores became the main ingredient for distillation. Corn alcohol was not meant to please the palate but to ensure great fun.
However, free cowboys didn’t appreciate it taste. Corn gave a sweetness to the alcohol. To give the brewing this hardness the real man favored, rye was added to the corn wort. As the result the ideal balance of drink was found, and that became national asset of the USA. Taste the history of the United States in its classic version, and a special version of the drink with addition of honey and spices.
Wildlife in the Wild West set its own new principles. Gentle hood and good manners was not popular. Open manners, simple pleasures of life: saloons and alcohol made up a quiet life of a cowboy. His work was hard and low paid, he wasn’t used to fancy drinks.
Fire-water - this is what suits the spirit of a new habitant of free American States. This alcohol was made of 100% rye. The drink was hard and has harsh taste. In those days, corn having its abundance stores became the main ingredient for distillation. Corn alcohol was not meant to please the palate but to ensure great fun.
However, free cowboys didn’t appreciate it taste. Corn gave a sweetness to the alcohol. To give the brewing this hardness the real man favored, rye was added to the corn wort. As the result the ideal balance of drink was found, and that became national asset of the USA. Taste the history of the United States in its classic version, and a special version of the drink with addition of honey and spices.
Production process
Grain, yeast, oak barrels and cellars – the basis of American whiskey
Although, each distillery has its own recipe of grain blend for the brew production, US law determines the
minimum percentage of corn: not less than 51%.
All types of grain are ground separately into a fine meal. The process differs from Scotland whiskey production by the absence of malting step. Corn, rye and barley are mixed with water and boiled for an hour. After mixing, the grain blend, called mash, is chilled.
The next step is fermentation which started by adding yeast, followed by distillation through vertical column stills to a crude whiskey called “white dog”. Then this spirit is poured into barrels for further ageing.
The feature of these barrels is that they charred on one side. Maturing in barrels the drink obtains an elegant and complex flavour that gentlemen preferred. The blending is made from barrels of different ages stored in different parts of the cellar in order to get the unchangeable Billi Bong taste.
All types of grain are ground separately into a fine meal. The process differs from Scotland whiskey production by the absence of malting step. Corn, rye and barley are mixed with water and boiled for an hour. After mixing, the grain blend, called mash, is chilled.
The next step is fermentation which started by adding yeast, followed by distillation through vertical column stills to a crude whiskey called “white dog”. Then this spirit is poured into barrels for further ageing.
The feature of these barrels is that they charred on one side. Maturing in barrels the drink obtains an elegant and complex flavour that gentlemen preferred. The blending is made from barrels of different ages stored in different parts of the cellar in order to get the unchangeable Billi Bong taste.
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