Wildlife Garden Specialist

Officially there are only two kinds of drink that qualify for the spelling 'whisky', and those are Scotch whisky and Canadian Rye whisky. Reliable drinks dictionaries will confirm that all others are whiskey. The American style of whiskey, first officially made in Kentucky and referred to as Bourbon whiskey, must by law be made of at least 51% of maize spirit and be matured in charred oak casks for at least four years. But wherever it comes from or however it is spelled, whiskey and whisky are made by distilling fermented mash made from malted grain. It comes in a wide variety of styles, most of them basically warm and smoky in character, so they are suited to making comforting winter drinks, rather than fresh summer coolers, when used in cocktails. Whisky and Bourbon Cocktails offers 33 cocktail recipes based on these spirits, together with a brief look at the history and lore of both, and essential information on glasses, mixing, garnishing and serving.