Whisky guides

How is whisky made?

Ever wondered what whisky is made from, and the production steps involved? We guide you through the entire process from grain to glass.

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Reading time: 10 minutes

Whisky in some ways is a simple product, made from a process you could define as grain + water + yeast + wood + time = whisky. There’s a world of nuance and personality in that process, however, which can differ across regions, countries, and categories, with each factor having a significant effect on flavour.

Whisky making is a science, with a good helping of art and a touch of mystery and magic thrown in like any good craft. If you had two distilleries next door to each other making whisky to the exact same method with the same equipment and materials, they would have perceptible differences. Why this happens will perhaps remain beyond our full comprehension, not that people haven’t attempted to explain it, much like the stock market or The Matrix.

But we can break down the methodology and explain what each step adds to the process. We’ll also take this opportunity to encourage you to go to a distillery and witness the process for yourself. The sights, the smells, and the atmosphere make it all very real and undoubtedly add to your appreciation of this fantastic spirit.