Difference Between Irish Whiskey vs Scotch

If you are a connoisseur of liquor, you probably know the difference between Irish whiskey and scotch by now. The reason is that these are popular drinks that everyday people use to unwind and chill out with their loved ones. However, there are many people who cannot spot the disparity between them because they share some similarities.

Interestingly enough, there are many whiskey lovers who always opt for scotch. They make that choice in an effort to spice up their relaxation. As a result, they sometimes confuse one with the other. If you fall into any of these categories of fun-seekers, this guide will explain how the two drinks differ. So, we will kick it off by defining them.

Definition of Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is a type of drink that originated and is made in the Republic of Ireland. In the 18th century, Irish immigrants introduced it to the United States. Ever since the drink made its way to the US, it has become very popular there and around the world.

For some reason, its popularity declined a century later. However, the popularity picked back up again in the 1990s. With respect to its content, the drink is made of raw barley. To ensure that the flavor of the barley remains intact, the brewers often dry the barley in kilns. It is little wonder that it always has a sweet taste.

Whenever it is made, the producers always anticipate that it ages for three years or more. Additionally, the production process involves distillation. The drink is widely known as triple distilled. Oftentimes, there are other ingredients used to make it and steps used to add flavor.

These include oak casks, ex-bourbon, sherry, etc. Before going into the difference between scotch and Irish whiskey, it will make perfect sense to discuss the former a bit.

Definition of Scotch

Scotch whisky is a type of drink that comes from Scotland in the UK. The primary ingredient used for making the drink is malted barley. The production process is straightforward as the malt used to produce it is sprouted and dried. Hence, it has the taste of those ingredients. Still, it is pretty easy to notice its pleasant and strong flavor.

While barley is an essential content of the drink, it is important to point out that there are other ingredients and steps used to produce it. These include oak casks, ex-bourbon, sherry casks, etc. People who love this beverage often say that it has a classic flavor. Plus, it is double distilled. It is noteworthy that a copper pot apparatus is used for its distillation.

There are certain occasions where grain mixtures are used to improve its taste. Some other producers may take the drink through blending in the course of its production. Scotch comes in many different varieties. These variants include single grain, blended malt, and blended grain scotch whisky. It also is subject to stringent regulations to ensure that its high standard is maintained.

Main Differences Between Whiskey vs Scotch

Moving on, let us critically examine the scotch vs Irish whiskey concept.

Basis of Comparison	Irish Whiskey	Scotch Whisky
Distillation	Triple distilled	Double distilled
Production emphasis	Distillation	Blending
Taste	It has a vanilla flavor	It is fuller and heavier
Contents	Contains unmalted barley and grains	Malted barley is used during its production
Aging period	Often pegged at 3 years	It is usually less than 3 years
Origin	Ireland	Scotland
Spelling disparity	Irish whiskey	Scotch whisky (no letter “e” before the “y”)

Difference Between Irish Whiskey and Scotch: Conclusion

In conclusion, it is safe to point out that there are many dissimilarities between the two types of European drinks. Of course, this guide has simplified the Irish whiskey vs scotch comparison, emphasizing their production, spelling contrasts, taste, and content.

To do a recap, even though they both originate in Europe, the former comes from Ireland while the latter is made in Scotland.

Again, they have differences in how they are spelled as was pointed out in the table above. The same applies to their taste and production process. Finally, at this juncture, you have seen the key distinctions between these two types of European drinks.