Welcome to the World of Whisky
Whisky is more than a spirit—it’s a story told through grain, time, and tradition. It’s about patience, precision, and palate. Some whiskies age quietly in barrels for decades. Others are bottled younger, bold and bright. Whether you’re here out of curiosity or because a friend handed you a glass and said, “Just try this,” we’ve got you covered.
And if your first sip was Crown Royal and you thought, “Maybe whisky isn’t for me,”—you’re not alone. I thought the same thing. Turns out, I just hadn’t found the right one.
What Is Whisky? A Quick Overview
Whisky is a distilled spirit made from grains like rye, corn, wheat, or barley. After distillation, it’s aged in barrels to develop complexity. The flavour depends on everything from grain choice to oak to time—and yes, even spelling.
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- “Whisky” (Canada, Scotland, Japan)
- “Whiskey” (USA, Ireland)
Despite the spelling differences, they all reflect the same thing: a commitment to craft.
Types of Whisky Around the World
Each region brings its own style, ingredients, and history to the bottle. Here’s a
quick primer:
Canadian Whisky
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- Aged at least 3 years
- Often blended from separately aged grains
- May include up to 9.09% flavouring or other spirits
- At Durham Distillery, we skip the shortcuts. No additives. Ever.
Bourbon & American Whiskey
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- Bourbon: 51% corn, aged in new charred oak, with strict production rules (check out my post on how bourbon influences Durham Distillery’s whisky philosophy).
- American whiskey: broader category, less regulation, more variety
- Start with: Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 81, or Sazerac Rye
Scottish Whisky (Scotch)
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- Made from malted barley
- Aged in oak, often with peat smoke for earthy, smoky flavour
- Try: Glenfiddich 12, Laphroaig 10
Irish Whiskey
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- Triple-distilled and typically smoother
- Made from unmalted barley
- Great intro brands: Jameson, Green Spot, Redbreast 12
Japanese Whisky
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- Inspired by Scotch, aged in Mizunara oak
- Known for precision, purity, and complexity
- Try: Nikka, Hibiki
Where Should You Start?
| If you like… | Try this style | Suggested Whisky |
| Black pepper, spice | Rye | Firehouse Spirits Canadian 100% Rye (Durham Distillery), Lot 40, Sazerac Rye |
| Vanilla, caramel, toast | Bourbon/Corn | Harvest Moon (Durham Distillery), Buffalo Trace, Bardstown Bourbon Company |
| Smoke, earth, campfire | Scotch | Glenfiddich 12, Laphroaig 10 |
Next Steps on Your Whisky Journey
Once you’ve found a style that speaks to you, take it further:
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- Explore cask strength whiskies (higher proof, undiluted.
- Try different barrel finishes (rum cask, sherry cask, etc.)
- Join a whisky-tasting club or follow distillers on social for new releases
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And don’t be afraid to circle back. Your palate will evolve. What felt too strong one year might become your go-to dram the next.
Ready to Start? We’ve Got You.
At Durham Distillery, we craft small-batch, additive-free Canadian whiskies that celebrate real ingredients, real flavour, and real craft.
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- Explore our Firehouse Spirits Canadian 100% Rye Whisky
- To taste the evolution of our next whisky, try our Distiller’s Experience – Series 01
- Or build your own journey with our Distiller’s Experience – Age Your Own Rye, where you control the aging process.
Final Thought
Whisky isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. Take your time. Taste widely. Be curious. And most of all, enjoy the process.
Because at Durham Distillery, we believe real tastes better.
Cheers!