With these style in mind, the following are the best whiskeys for cocktails that you can buy almost anywhere at a reasonable price point. Irish whiskey is less sweet than bourbon, less smoky than scotch, and smooth in taste.įor an in-depth look at all of the whiskey styles and locations that produce whiskey, check out this awesome article on the different types of whiskey! The Best Brands of Whiskey For Cocktails Ireland is considered the birthplace of whiskey, and there are just 3 distilleries in the country: Cork Distilleries Company, John Jameson & Son, and John Power & Son. Usually when talking about blended whiskey, people are referring to scotch, but you’ll find blended whiskeys from all over the world. While they vary greatly in where and how they’re produced and taste profile, blended whiskeys tend to be smooth in flavor, which makes them good for cocktails. Blended Whiskeyīlended whiskeys are a combination of different types of whiskeys, and in some cases, neutral grain spirits and added flavorings. That said, many Canadian whiskeys do use a grain blend that includes rye, and they work well in cocktails because they’re typically smooth and lighter than other styles of whiskey. It’s less sweet than bourbon, but it works great in cocktails if you like your drinks to have a stronger bite.Ĭanadian whiskey is also frequently referred to as rye whiskey for historical reasons, but it actually doesn’t have to contain rye, and corn is the most commonly used grain today. Tastewise, rye whiskey is spicy and peppery. In America, rye whiskey must be made from a mash that contains least 51% rye grain. A popular example of Tennessee whiskey is Jack Daniel’s.

It tastes similar to bourbon, but is a bit sweeter and mellower, so it also works great with mixers in a cocktail.

Tennessee whiskey must be produced in Tennessee and be made with 51% corn. PS: If you love bourbon, here are the all-time best 2-ingredient bourbon cocktails! 2. Bourbons also often have notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel that add extra flavor and nuance to mixed drinks. To be called bourbon, the whiskey has to be made in the USA from at least 51% corn and contain no additives.īourbon is sweeter than most whiskeys, so it works really well in cocktails. The latter are what you should use in cocktails, and the most popular styles of whiskey for cocktails are the following. While all whiskeys are distilled from grain and aged in barrels, there are several distinctive types of whiskeys.Ĭertain styles of whiskey (like single-malt) generally aren’t ideal for cocktails and are made for sipping alone or with a splash of water, while other styles of whiskey are more balanced, smooth, and play well with mixers. Typically, other countries either kept or omitted the “e” based on if their whiskey was more influenced/inspired by Scotch or by Irish Whiskey.Īs an example, there was a huge influx of Irish immigrants to the USA in the 1800s, which is a big reason why the USA spells whiskey with an “e”. This is because Scotland and Ireland were the first countries to seriously produce whiskey, and the Irish dialect added an “e”, while the Scottish dialect omitted the “e”. Then, in Canada, Scotland, and Japan, whisk(e)y is spelled without the “e”. Generally, you see whiskey with an “e” in the United States and Ireland. People commonly ask what’s the difference between Whiskey and Whisky? The answer is that it greatly depends on its country of origin. Some classic and popular cocktails made with whiskey include the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Irish Coffee. There are three ingredients that go into making whiskey: water, grain (wheat, rye, barley, or corn), and yeast. Whiskey is a distilled spirit made out of a fermented grain mash. If you’ve ever wondered what whiskey works best in cocktails, you’re not alone! Read on for the best whiskey to use in cocktails and the easiest 2-ingredient whiskey drinks you can make at home.

Best whiskey cocktails