You’ll find everything you need to know in the guide below!

By the way, is it whiskey or whisky?

That depends where it’s made. Yes, whisk(e)y can be spelled both with an “e” and without, which does confuse even the most seasoned drinkers. But, it turns out the letter is very important to the story of the spirit. The Irish use the “e,” a tradition that carried over to American-made whiskeys. The Scots do not use the “e,” and distillers in Canada and Japan follow their lead. Hence, whisky or whiskies.

here are the types of whiskey you need to know:

Irish whiskey has a smoother flavor than other types of whiskey. It’s made from a mash of malt, can only be distilled using water and caramel coloring, and must be distilled in wooden casks for at least three years. The result is a whiskey that’s easy to sip neat or on the rocks, though you can use Irish whiskey to make cocktails.
Types Of Whiskey
Scotch whisky (aka just scotch) is made in Scotland with either malt or grain. The Scots take their whisky-making seriously and have laws in place that distillers must follow. The spirit must age in an oak barrel for at least three years. Plus, each bottle must have an age statement which reflects the youngest aged whisky used to make that blend. This is a whisky to sip neat—it makes an excellent after-dinner drink.
Types Of Whiskey
Like scotch, Canadian whisky must be barrel-aged for at least three years. It’s lighter and smoother than other types of whiskey because it contains a high percentage of corn. You will find that most Canadian whiskies are made from corn and rye, but other may feature wheat or barley.
Types Of Whiskey
An American-style whiskey, bourbon is made from corn. In fact, to be called bourbon whiskey, the spirit needs to be made from at least 51% corn, aged in a new oak barrel and produced in America. It has no minimum aging period and needs to be bottled at 80 proof or more.
Types Of Whiskey
While Tennessee whiskey is technically classified as bourbon, some distillers in the state aren’t too keen on that. Instead, they use Tennessee whiskey to define their style. All current Tennessee whiskey producers are required by state law to produce their whiskeys in Tennessee and to use a filtering step known as the Lincoln County Process prior to aging the whiskey.
Types Of Whiskey
Rye whiskey is made in America with at least 51% rye, while other ingredients include corn and barley. It follows the distilling process of bourbon. Rye that has been aged for two or more years and has not been blended is dubbed “straight rye whiskey.” Rye tends to have a spicier flavor than sweeter, smoother bourbon.
Types Of Whiskey

Here are some countries, you must know that made into the top whiskey producing countries list.

Types Of Whiskey

India

Indian whiskey sells over 120 million cases. To enhance their flavor, many of the Indian locally made whiskeys use the dressing of Scotch whiskey. India produced 3468.4 Million Liters of Whisky in 2018. India is thus emerging as the fastest growing global center for whiskey production.
Here's A List Of The Best-Selling Whisky Brands In India

Dewars 18

Black Dog Reserve

Glenkinchie 12

Glenfiddich 12

Types Of Whiskey

Japan

Japan produces around 94.5 million liters per year and is the fourth biggest whiskey producer in the world. Japan distills its whiskey twice, in copper pot stills, and it recognizes the very important role that oak plays in the maturation of the spirit.
The Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink
Suntory’s Yamazaki 12 Year Old could be considered the core expression of the brand’s single malt lineup (including the Hakushu range). It is probably the best known Suntory whisky and was once pretty easy to find (you still can, but expect to pay close to $200 for a bottle). This is a floral and fruity single malt reminiscent of scotch but in a style that is very much its own. All in all, it's an excellent starting point for those wishing to explore the category of Japanese whisky. Region: Japan | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Fruit, Clove, Orange
Nikka is another major whisky producer in Japan. Coffey Grain is named after Aeneas Coffey, the inventor of the continuous still, and is made mostly from corn as opposed to the barley used for single malts. This gives the delicious whisky a creamy texture with a sweetness that should appeal to bourbon fans. Region: Japan | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Coffee, Caramel
"This whisky is from the Nagano prefecture in Japan," says Michael Brooks, co-owner of Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits. This blend is made from a mash bill that is mostly corn, with some malted barley and rye as well. “It has aromas of vanilla with hints of baking spices, and the palate is lean with pear and quince notes. This is a great summer sipper and excellent for making cocktails because of its 45 percent alcohol level," he says. Region: Japan | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Baking spice, Pear, Vanilla
"I really enjoy Suntory Toki Whisky," says Darnell Holguin, co-founder of The Silver Sun Group and beverage partner at New York's Las' Lap. "Toki, which means ‘time’ in Japanese, has a blend of some of the best [whiskies] that Suntory makes. It has notes of pink grapefruit, almonds and a light vanilla finish. Just mix some with sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon, and you'll have yourself a yummy Highball." Region: Japan | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, Smoke, Apple
Types Of Whiskey

USA

The USA produces approximately 37 million cases of whiskey each year in 129 distilleries. Jack Daniels and Jim Beam are the two most famous American whiskeys. The USA clocked 477.4 Million liters in net whiskey production in 2018.
Some key types of American whiskey listed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations include

  • Rye whiskey

  • Rye malt whiskey

  • Malt whiskey

  • Wheat whiskey

  • Bourbon whiskey

  • Corn whiskey