Whiskey styles and regions
American Whiskey
US law defines each style by its grain, its barrels and its strength. Bourbon is the best known, but rye, wheat, corn and American single malt each have their own rules.
- Bourbon 5,202 bottles
Bourbon is an American whiskey made mostly from corn and aged in new charred oak containers. It is defined by federal law, and in 1964 Congress declared it a distinctive product of the United States. The rules make it rich and sweet: corn gives the sweetness, and the fresh charred barrel gives the colour, vanilla and caramel.
- Rye 1,218 bottles
Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye. American rye follows the same barrel and proof rules as bourbon; Canadian whisky is also often called rye, whatever its grain.
- Single Malt 487 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
- Blended 194 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Tennessee Whiskey 126 bottles
A bourbon made in Tennessee and filtered through sugar-maple charcoal before it goes into the barrel, a step called the Lincoln County Process. Tennessee law has required it since 2013.
- Flavored 113 bottles
Whiskey with natural flavouring added, such as honey, cinnamon, apple or peach. In the US it can be bottled as low as 60 proof.
- American Whiskey 86 bottles
WOW's Style for US whiskey that does not fit a narrower style, for example aged in used barrels, made from a mix of grains with none above 51%, or released without a legal style on the label.
- Corn 53 bottles
Corn whiskey is made from at least 80% corn. If it is aged, it goes into used or uncharred new oak, never new charred oak, which keeps it light, grainy and sweet.
- Wheat 38 bottles
American wheat whiskey is made from at least 51% wheat and aged in new charred oak, like bourbon.
- Light 21 bottles
US whiskey distilled above 160 proof and aged in used or uncharred new oak containers, giving a lighter flavour.
Straight bourbon or rye has aged at least two years in new charred oak with nothing added. Under four years old, the label must state the age. In WOW it is a Trait, so you can filter it on any style.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch must be made and aged at least three years in oak casks of 700 litres or less in Scotland, and bottled at 40% ABV or more, with only water and plain caramel colouring allowed. The style tells you what grain went in and whether it came from one distillery or several.
- Single Malt 2,050 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
- Blended 504 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Blended Malt 62 bottles
Single malts from two or more distilleries blended together, with no grain whisky. Once called vatted or pure malt.
- Single Grain 40 bottles
Grain whisky made at one distillery, usually from wheat or corn and often distilled in column stills. In Scotch it may include some malted barley.
- Flavored 2 bottles
Whiskey with natural flavouring added, such as honey, cinnamon, apple or peach. In the US it can be bottled as low as 60 proof.
Regions
- Speyside
Scotland's most crowded region, along the River Spey. Often fruity and elegant, with many sherry-cask whiskies.
- Highlands
The largest region, covering a wide range of styles. The Islands (Skye, Orkney, Mull, Jura, Arran) are usually counted as part of it.
- Islay
A small island off the west coast, famous for heavily peated whisky, though not every Islay malt is peated.
- Lowlands
Southern Scotland, traditionally light and gentle, with some triple distillation.
- Campbeltown
Once home to dozens of distilleries, now only a few, known for briny, oily whisky.
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is aged at least three years in wooden casks on the island of Ireland. Single pot still is the style found only there.
- Single Malt 134 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
- Single Pot Still 126 bottles
An Irish style made from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, distilled in copper pot stills at one distillery. The unmalted barley gives it a creamy, spicy character found nowhere else.
- Blended 113 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Single Grain 14 bottles
Grain whisky made at one distillery, usually from wheat or corn and often distilled in column stills. In Scotch it may include some malted barley.
- Flavored 4 bottles
Whiskey with natural flavouring added, such as honey, cinnamon, apple or peach. In the US it can be bottled as low as 60 proof.
- Rye 2 bottles
Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye. American rye follows the same barrel and proof rules as bourbon; Canadian whisky is also often called rye, whatever its grain.
Canadian Whisky
Canadian whisky is aged at least three years in small wood in Canada. It is often called rye whatever its grain.
- Blended 183 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Rye 56 bottles
Rye whiskey is made from at least 51% rye. American rye follows the same barrel and proof rules as bourbon; Canadian whisky is also often called rye, whatever its grain.
- Flavored 17 bottles
Whiskey with natural flavouring added, such as honey, cinnamon, apple or peach. In the US it can be bottled as low as 60 proof.
- Single Grain 5 bottles
Grain whisky made at one distillery, usually from wheat or corn and often distilled in column stills. In Scotch it may include some malted barley.
- Four Grain 1 bottle
Whiskey made from four grains, usually corn, rye, wheat and malted barley, that is not sold as bourbon.
- Single Malt 1 bottle
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
Japanese Whisky
Japanese producers follow an industry standard: malted grain, Japanese water, and distilling, aging (at least three years) and bottling all in Japan.
- Single Malt 104 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
- Blended 101 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Blended Malt 31 bottles
Single malts from two or more distilleries blended together, with no grain whisky. Once called vatted or pure malt.
- Single Grain 7 bottles
Grain whisky made at one distillery, usually from wheat or corn and often distilled in column stills. In Scotch it may include some malted barley.
Indian
Whisky made in India. Much of what is sold in India is made from molasses; single malts from barley follow international standards.
- Blended 20 bottles
A blend of whiskies. In Scotch and Irish whisky, it means malt or pot still whisky blended with grain whisky; most Scotch sold is blended. In the US, blended whiskey is at least 20% straight whiskey, with the rest other whiskey or neutral spirit.
- Single Malt 13 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
- Single Grain 5 bottles
Grain whisky made at one distillery, usually from wheat or corn and often distilled in column stills. In Scotch it may include some malted barley.
Taiwanese
Whisky made in Taiwan. The warm, humid climate ages whisky quickly.
- Single Malt 24 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
Swiss
Whisky made in Switzerland, aged at least three years in wooden casks.
- Single Malt 17 bottles
Single malt is made from 100% malted barley at one distillery. It is the signature style of Scotch, and is also made in Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States, where American Single Malt became an official category in January 2025.
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