Whisky - What is whisky? Great question. By definition whisky is a distilled alcoholic beverage. Typically whisky is made with a fermented grain mash. Different types of grains (which may or may not be malted) are used for different types of whiskies. These grains could include barley, corn, rye, and wheat.

For most of our discussions malted barley will be the grain of choice.

Aging of whisky is typically done in charred oak barrels. These barrels are usually previously used for aging rum, port, sherry and bourbon. We've even had whisky that was aged in maple syrup barrels. 

Single Malt - Single malt whiskies are typically associated with single malt Scotch in the UK. While single malt whiskies are also produced by various other countries throughout the world. Regulations for a whisky (UK's Scotch Whisky Regulations) to be called a single malt whisky are very strict. These whiskies must be distilled using a pot still at a single distillery. Single malt whiskies must be aged in oak casks for no less than three (3) years with a capacity not to exceed 150 imperial gallons

Bourbon - Bourbon is an American whiskey made from corn/maise. It must be at least 51% corn mixed with other grains. For bourbon to be called bourbon, has to be aged in new charred oak barrels. There is no age requirement for how long bourbon must age in barrels. These barrels can be used only once in the making of bourbon. Since the barrels are used only once it makes it easy for other countries to buy these once used barrels for aging of their spirits. This is why you see so many ex-bourbon barrel aged whiskies and single malt whiskies on the market.