Whiskey comes in many shapes and under many labels. Though all are called whiskey and can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or in mixed drinks, the similarities often end there. Irish and Canadian whiskeys each have a distinct creation process resulting in unique-tasting drinks.
Columbia Distributing serves beverage retail outlets in Oregon and Washington. Here, we take you step-by-step through the whiskey-making process to discover the difference between Canadian and Irish whiskey.
Mash It Up
The difference between Irish and Canadian whiskey begins with the mash. When making Irish whiskey, distillers use primarily malted barley. “Malted” means the ripe barley grains have been soaked in water and allowed to germinate. This process makes the grain more open to the fermentation process, helping the yeast efficiently convert sugars into alcohol. The result is a light, fragrant, and fruity flavor with cereal notes. Single malt whiskeys are even higher in quality, as they use exclusively malted barley from a single distillery to ensure a smooth profile.
By contrast, Canadian whiskey mash is made with a blend of wheat, rye, corn, and other grains. This is because of how the Canadian industry began. The earliest distillers were millers who distilled alcohol to use up their waste grain. Though this originally resulted in mashes of predominantly wheat, certain distillers began experimenting with rye for an extra punch of flavor that quickly became popular. They also started using corn, which produces more alcohol and lets distillers get more impact from their rye.
Though Canadian whiskey uses a variety of grains, rye is the star of the show due to its strong flavor profile. The drink was once even required to contain a base amount of rye. Though this restriction has since been lifted, the terms “Canadian whiskey” and “rye whiskey” are still sometimes used interchangeably. These days, brands vary in the grain types and quantities used in their mash – but almost all use rye. The result is a lighter color and flavor but with a spicy, peppery bite.
It’s All in the Still
Irish and Canadian whiskeys also differ in the equipment used in making whiskey. Irish whiskeys are traditionally distilled using a pot still. The size and shape of the still have an impact on flavor, and pot stills confer a lot of character on the whiskeys they produce. Some distilleries even have a proprietary pot still to ensure a unique brand character.
While most Irish whiskeys are made with a pot still, certain distilleries choose to use only one pot through the whole triple-distillation process. These often use a blend of malted and un-malted barley for extra spice and a thicker texture. The result, called Single Pot Still whiskey, is sometimes considered the gold standard for Irish whiskey.
Canadian whiskey, on the other hand, relies less on the pot than on the process. Though Canadian whiskey is blended, it isn’t distilled from a single mash. Instead, each grain type is fermented independently. Corn whiskey is distilled separately from rye, rye from wheat, and wheat from barley, allowing distillers to tailor the aging process to individual grain types for the best possible flavor. The resulting whiskeys are mixed after aging to create the final product.
Better With Age
Finally, whiskey must be aged to reach its peak potential. Both Irish and Canadian whiskeys are aged in pre-seasoned barrels. These usually are sourced from bourbon distillers, though some are seasoned with barrels that once contained sherry, port, Madeira, or other wines for distinct notes.
The reason distillers use seasoned barrels is simple: flavor. New oak barrels start strong with caramel and vanilla notes. They also contain tannins, which contribute to a faster maturation process. While this is ideal for bourbon distilling, Canadian and Irish whiskeys benefit from a more subtle profile. Pre-seasoned barrels have had vanilla, caramel, and tannins leached out of them, allowing secondary flavors to shine. These can include rye spices alongside fruity or floral notes, which all lend to a better-tasting whiskey.
The aging time is where Irish and Canadian whiskeys differ. Whiskey is required to age for up to three years in Ireland before it can be considered Irish whiskey, though some labels age up to 21 years for a better-developed flavor. Canadian whiskeys, meanwhile, are aged in parts. Just as each grain is distilled separately, they’re also aged for different lengths of time to ensure the optimal flavor profile.
Discover Irish and Canadian Whiskey at Columbia Distributing
If you’re still curious about Canadian versus Irish whiskey, you can taste the difference yourself. Columbia Distributing is dedicated to delivering quality products in the Oregon and Washington areas. We distribute a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to our retail partners, including Irish whiskey and Canadian whiskey. Contact us today to learn more about how your business can get started.