Before you can define a good whiskey, you must first understand what a whiskey is. The most simple definition of this complex alcohol is that it is a distilled beverage made from malt grain. But the truth is far more complicated. When you’re trying to define what a good whiskey is, you must first understand that whiskey comes in many shapes and forms such as

Scotch Single malt, Single barrel ,Blended Malt, Blend, Bourbon, Rye, corn whiskey, malt whiskey, rye malt whiskey, ,Irish Whiskey, A single pot still, Poitin, Canadian Whisky, Japanese Whiskey just to name a few

Despite its diversity, each of the whiskey above will shave similar traits. One that whiskey experts will use to test their quality. To distinguish a good whiskey from a bad one you will have to trust your senses including taste, touch, smell and sight. For example, when comparing bourbon, Irish are scotch whiskies They will all have unique characteristics based upon where they are distilled despite this if you follow a specific criterion you should easily be able to tell whether the whiskey is good. So when working through the many varieties of whiskey available on the market follow this simple guide and you should be able to choose an excellent whiskey

Its color

All good whiskeys will have a distinct color that will range from a deep amber gold to clear. This color depends on how much time they have aged the whiskey in an oak barrel. Some cheaper whiskeys will use caramel to offer the fake hint of a deep amber gold color. Only choose a whiskey that can prove they have aged it to perfection in a high quality Oak barrel.

Its Clarity

They have filtered a good whiskey to ensure it has removed any impurities, and it has no cloudiness. The easiest way to check this is to add some water. If the whiskey has been unfiltered, it will become cloudier when you add water. With clarity this is the only test you should never trust what it says on the label.

Its taste

Good whiskeys should taste of cinnamon and honey, and you can test this by taking a small sip and holding it in your mouth for a while on your tongue before swallowing. Most experts will add a little water to the alcohol content which can sometimes mask the true flavors of your whiskey.

Its viscosity

The viscosity of your whiskey refers to its general thickness. Depending on how long it is being aged, a good whiskey will usually have a much higher viscosity. Test this swirling it in a glass to see if it leaves a teardrop streak on the inside every time you stop swirling. This method is highly effective, and good whiskey usually has a much higher viscosity and reveals much longer streaks than cheaper whiskeys.

We hope that the simple guide will allow you to pick out some good whiskeys and enjoy the warm amber goodness that makes whiskey such an unique adventure to drink.