The art of distilling spirits made its way to Scotland and Ireland in the early 15th century. The first record of distilled whiskey in Ireland harkens the death of a chieftain. The Irish Annals of Clonmacnoise in 1405 blame the death of this chieftain to “taking a surfeit of aqua vitae” during the Christmas season.

The next mention of distilled whiskey is in 1494. The good Friar John Cor received a shipment of malt, and he was requested to make 500 bottles of aqua vitae for the king.

James IV of Scotland had a great affinity for the spirits. While stumbling through the town of Dundee, he ordered a prodigious amount of whiskey from the Guild of Surgeon Barbers.

It was Henry VIII, though, who brought distilled whiskey to the masses. He dissolved the English monasteries and scattered the monks throughout the kingdom. The monks left, taking their distilled whiskey talents with them. In 1608, the Old Bushmills Distillery in Ireland opened and is now the oldest in the world.The information party rocks on: My Whiskey

Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail, started in the eighties, doesn’t include every distillery in the area, but it includes seven working ones, and a tour of the Speyside Cooperage, where 150,000 oak barrels are produced every year. Whisky trails were started to promote the region’s whisky heritage and provide tourists with an easy way to share in that. Enjoy driving through the green countryside, and follow the signs to each location. The distilleries are relatively close together, but they are best enjoyed leisurely. Every distillery provides the opportunity to taste test. Besides the Malt Whisky Trail, there are several other trails to explore depending on what area of the country is being traveled.

Keeping all of this in mind, It was King James I that licensed the first whiskey distillery in 1608 by declaring Sir Thomas Phillips “to make, drawe and distill such and so great quantities of aquavitae.”

Scottish whisky, or more simply known as Scotch Whisky or even just Scotch, dates back to at least 1495 A.D. thanks to the distilling talents of a Friar named John Cor at Lindores Abby located in the Kingdom of Fife. Scotch is considered, to this day, a serious subject in Scotland and is well regulated for purity by its government by way of the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. This law went into effect on November 23, 2009, and regulates such aspects of how the scotch is mashed, fermented and distilled, as well as the purity of the ingredients and strength of its alcohol.

The easiest way to start the process would be to buy bulk corn that is in a burlap sack, as it is breathable and easier to work with.Is this new to you? Catch up here Ten pounds is an easy amount to work with, and so that is what is recommended. Simply wet the burlap down with water until it is saturated, place it in an area that is warm and dark. Let it sit undisturbed for ten days and then check for sprouts. Once the sprouts emerge, allow them to get to about one fourth inch, and then process the corn. Separate the kernels from the sprouts and roots and place them in a wine fermenter (these can be purchased from most home winemaking or craft shops). Stir with five gallons of boiling water, cracking the kernels thoroughly. Add the yeast and then seal the fermenter. Add the vent fitment and let the mixture sit once again undisturbed for ten days. When settled, strain with either a large cheesecloth, or linen.

Voile! Don’t let the smoothness fool you.

Every whiskey manufactured spends several months in a barrel before it makes it to a consumer. The aging process helps give the whiskey a smooth flavor.Didn’t catch that? This explains it. The barrel in which it is stored also affects the taste. Most whiskeys are made from corn. Corn gives the product its distinctive color and flavor. Scottish Whiskey is often made from barley or made from oats. When the product comes out of the still, it will have a different flavor than it does when it gets to the store shelves.

The still is only the first step in a process. The product is then moved into barrels. Workers move the barrels into storage. The rotation of the barrels helps keep the product in stores. The whiskey that makes it into the bottle has already been aged for several months. Most companies keep it for a year. Aging the whiskey improves the taste.

Whiskey is made from made from fermented grain mash. These grains include barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and maize. The two types of whiskey are malt and grain. They are combined together to make blended malt, single malt, blended whiskies, cask strength, and single cask. Sake is a Japanese beverage that is made from rice. It is known in America as a rice wine. But it has nothing to do with wine, it is processed like a beer. The two basic types of sake are Futs-shu and Tokutei meish-shu. They make the mash out of Kimoto, Yamahai, and Sokuj.

If you’re interested in planning a trip to the Whisky Trail, check it out online first with satellite internet access from http://get.wildblue.com. Each distillery has its own particular brand, and you’ll no doubt like some more than others. Whatever brand of whisky you decide on simply comes down to the different tastes each and everyone prefers. But everyone can agree that whisky is a historic and distinctive beverage, and the Whisky Trail will teach you more about how it’s made.

When you are touring through each one of the distilleries you will learn about the age old process of making whisky. From the fragrant barley comes this timeless recipe that has been a favorite for drinkers of every country. Not only do each of the wonderful whisky distilleries follow old world recipes, they also uphold a complete heritage of whisky making.

This particular brand of alcohol is distilled after the fermentation of a mash of grain, many different choices will come about from the multitude of grains used in the process. The whisky is generally aged in wooden barrels almost everywhere in the world–except for here in the United States, where the common belief is that whisky does not need aging.

• Red: a concoction of 35 grain and malt whiskies used in mixed drinks or solo
• Black: 40 12-year-or-older whiskies
• Gold: at least 15 single malts generally 15-18 years of age
• Green: a blend of Scottish malts at least 15 years of age
• Blue: the premium blend which goes for 200 or more on the open market

In addition, there are two other blends widely available: “Red & Cola,” which is just what it sounds like, and “Johnnie Walker Swing,” named for its unusually rounded bottle. A wide variety of premier limited-edition blends are available in differing quantities, with the “Blue Label 1805″ as the rarest: only 200 bottles were available for the 200^th anniversary in 2005, and they were presented to individuals of merit around the world.

• Ron Burgundy “I Love Scotch”: Featured in the film Anchorman, Ron Burgundy’s 9-second ode to the glories of scotch going “down, down into my belly” is short but sweet. Put it on repeat a few times for maximum effect.
• Frank Sinatra “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)”: “We’re drinking, my friend,/to the end, of a brief episode,” Sinatra mourns near the beginning of this classic pop standard. If Sinatra’s not your thing, it’s been covered by everyone from Billie Holiday to Iggy Pop.
• Traditional “Whiskey in the Jar”: This song is about a highwayman who robs a captain on the road, but is betrayed by his lover, who steals the money and returns to the captain. The story’s been changed somewhat through the various versions, which include performances by The Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, and Metallica.
• Lynyrd Skynyrd “Whiskey Rock-a-Roller”: From the group’s 1975 album Nuthin’ Fancy, this song tells of a rambling rock and roll star who has his priorities in order. “Women, whiskey and miles of travelin’/is all I understand,” Ronnie Van Zant sings, and you’ll be right there with him.
• Chris Thomas King “John Law Burned Down the Liquor Sto’”: Chris Thomas King’s song from his album Soul of Chris Thomas King: The Roots is pure blues, even though it was released in 2003. When he starts off with “Moonshine whiskey, oughta be a crime/When I start drinkin’, I’m bound to lose my mind,” you know you’re in serious drinking song territory.
• Moxy Fruvous “The Drinking Song”: Off of the group’s major-label debut Bargainville, the song is more emotional than you would expect from the comedy-folk group. In fact, Moxy Fruvous’s subject matter will continuously surprise you, but this is a good place to start.