Whiskey: styles, bottles and how to choose

Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain, usually barley, corn, rye or wheat, and aged in wooden barrels. What it tastes like depends on the grain, the barrel and the country it comes from. This guide covers the main styles and the bottles to start with, and it explains how to buy from CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd, Westford. You can browse the full whiskey range any time.

What is whiskey, exactly?

Whiskey starts as a grain mash that is fermented into a kind of beer, distilled into a clear spirit, then aged in wooden barrels. Most of the colour and a lot of the flavor come from the wood, which adds vanilla, caramel, spice and toast notes over time.

The grain matters just as much. Corn gives sweetness and body, rye gives pepper and dryness, and malted barley gives a bready, cereal character. Different mixes of these grains are what separate one style from the next.

You will see the word spelled two ways. Bottles from the United States and Ireland usually say whiskey, while Scotland, Canada and Japan more often say whisky. It is the same spirit family, and the spelling is only a regional habit.

If you want to see everything in one place, the whiskey category at CBC Liquors groups the styles together, and the liquor section sits above it if you also want to compare against other spirits.

What are the main styles of whiskey?

Bourbon is the American style built mainly on corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, which gives it its sweeter, vanilla-and-caramel profile. You can browse our bourbon page for bottles in that style. Under US rules, bourbon has to be made in the United States, though it does not have to come from Kentucky.

Rye whiskey is made from a mash that is mostly rye grain. It tends to taste spicier and drier than bourbon, and it is a classic choice for an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

Scotch is made in Scotland, most often from malted barley, and can range from soft and fruity to smoky and peaty. Irish whiskey is usually smooth and light on the palate, and it is often triple distilled.

There are also Japanese whiskey, Canadian whisky, broader American whiskey and even Indian single malt pages if you want to try something outside the usual.

Which whiskey should you buy first?

If you are new to whiskey, start with something approachable and work outward from there. A good first bottle is one you will actually enjoy in a simple pour or a simple mixed drink, not a rare bottle you are nervous to open.

For an easy Irish introduction, Jameson Irish Whiskey is a familiar name. It is light and smooth, which makes it comfortable neat, over ice or with ginger ale.

If you lean toward American styles, Jim Beam Original is a straightforward bourbon with the sweet corn character the style is known for. Bulleit Bourbon is a rye-heavy bourbon recipe, so it tastes a little spicier.

For a step up in depth, Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon both carry the straight bourbon label, which means a defined minimum age and no added colouring or flavouring. Ask at the counter if you want help picking between them.

How should you drink whiskey?

There is no wrong way, and the best method is the one that makes you want a second look at the bottle. Neat means straight from the bottle into the glass, and it shows you the spirit exactly as it is.

A small splash of water opens up aroma and softens the alcohol, which many people find helps when tasting a new bottle. A large ice cube melts slowly and chills without watering the drink down too quickly.

For highballs and cocktails, whiskey pairs well with ginger ale, soda water and cola. Our mixers page covers what you need to go with a bottle, so you can pick both in one trip.

Classic cocktails are an easy way into a new bottle too. An Old Fashioned works with bourbon or rye, a Whiskey Sour suits almost any style, and a Manhattan leans on rye. Pour sensibly, and take your time with it.

What about flavored whiskey?

Flavored whiskey starts with a whiskey base and adds flavoring, usually sweetness plus something like cinnamon, apple or honey. It sits in its own lane, and it is meant to be easy and sweet rather than to show off barrel age.

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is one of the best sellers in stock at CBC Liquors right now. It is a cinnamon-flavored whiskey that people often serve as a chilled shot or mix into cider and hot drinks in colder months.

If you want to see what else is on offer in that group, the flavored whiskey page lists it. Because these bottles are sweeter, they are worth tasting on their own before you use them in a mixed drink.

How do you read a whiskey label?

Labels carry a lot of information once you know where to look. The style tells you the broad flavor: bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish and so on. The word straight on an American bottle means at least two years in oak with no additives.

An age statement, such as 12 years, tells you the youngest whiskey in the bottle. A bottle with no age statement is not necessarily worse, because makers often blend for flavor rather than for a number.

Proof or ABV tells you the strength. A higher number means a stronger drink, so it will taste hotter neat and usually shines with a little water or ice.

Finally, look for the maker. Once you find a style you like, the producer name is the quickest route to similar bottles, and our staff can point you toward them in the shop.

Can you plan a gathering or give whiskey as a gift?

For a gathering, offer two or three styles rather than one, so guests can find something they like. A bourbon, an Irish whiskey and a flavored bottle cover most tastes, with mixers alongside for anyone who wants a highball.

The party planner page is there if you are working out what to bring in for a larger group. If you are giving a gift and are not sure which bottle suits the person, a gift card lets them choose for themselves.

For bigger events, the kegs page handles keg and special order requests, which is handy if beer is on the menu alongside the whiskey.

How do you get whiskey from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on those same hours.

We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our delivery areas page lists the towns, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton and Lowell.

The shop has 4,617 products in stock across 1,892 brands, and customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 from 339 Google reviews. You must be 21 or older to buy alcohol, and ID is required.