Whisky for beginners

Sylvia Simm | 12. March 2025

Whisky for beginners: Your start into a fascinating world of enjoyment

Welcome to Whisky.de - your expert portal for whisky beginners, connoisseurs and connoisseurs! Here you can find out everything you need to know about this popular noble drink in a compact, understandable and informative way.

Whisky is more than just a drink - it is an experience that combines tradition, craftsmanship and passion. Whether you are immersing yourself in the world of whisky for the first time or would like to deepen your existing knowledge: Our extensive knowledge section provides you with exciting insights into the history, production and diverse flavours of this fascinating distillate. Did you know that the origins of whisky go back to the ancient distilling traditions of Scotland and Ireland? Every sip tells its own story.

Table of content

What is an entry-level Whisky?

Our articles offer you clear explanations, interesting facts and practical tips - ideal for the inquisitive beginner. Find out how different production methods and storage conditions affect the flavour and discover which whiskies are particularly suitable for beginners. Benefit from our expert knowledge and be inspired!

Immerse yourself in our extensive knowledge - let's get started!

If you have never drunk whisky before, start with an uncomplicated whisky, i.e. it should not be smoky and should not have a very high alcohol content. For example, choose a standard bottling from a well-known distillery. Glenfiddich, as well-known as it is, is pleasant and easy to drink. The ideal whisky for beginners! Search for this whisky in our shop, read the description and watch the tasting video. Below you will find further suggestions under 'Articles with similar flavours'. You can also find further information here:

Our gift finder is a good guide.

And don't forget to take a look at our permanently low prices .

Our free downloads are also helpful!

Speyburn Bradan Orach Gift Box with 2 glasses
Speyburn Bradan Orach Gift Box with 2 glasses
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Famous Grouse Sherry Cask
Famous Grouse Sherry Cask
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Tullamore D.E.W.
Tullamore D.E.W.
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Famous Grouse
Famous Grouse
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Bushmills 10 Years
Bushmills 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Tamnavulin Double Cask
Tamnavulin Double Cask
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Knockando 12 Years
Knockando 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenfarclas 10 Years
Glenfarclas 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Jim Beam Rye
Jim Beam Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

What is Whisky made from?

Grain - Water - Yeast

Whisky is a distillate made from grain! The most important types of grain are barley, rye, corn and wheat. In terms of alcohol content, storage time and ingredients, there are different conditions from country to country.

Find out more here: Production

What types of Whisky are there?

There are different types of Whisky. Each type of Whisky has its own taste and its own production process:

Single Malt Whisky

The origin of single malt lies in Scotland! Single malt is a Whisky made from 100 per cent barley malt that comes from a single distillery. It is aged for at least three years in an oak cask and has an alcohol content of at least 40 per cent by volume. Single stands for: a single distillery. Malt stands for: 100 per cent barley malt. It belongs to the premium segment!

Bowmore Timeless Series 29Y-/2023
Bowmore Timeless Series 29Y-/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenrothes - former club bottle 2022/2023 11Y-2011/2022
Glenrothes - former club bottle 2022/2023 11Y-2011/2022
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenfarclas Family Casks - Autumn Collection 2002/2025
Glenfarclas Family Casks - Autumn Collection 2002/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Laphroaig Quarter Casks
Laphroaig Quarter Casks
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Bladnoch 30Y-/2023
Bladnoch 30Y-/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Aberfeldy Bolgheri Red Wine Cask 15 Years
Aberfeldy Bolgheri Red Wine Cask 15 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Giraffe 14Y-/2020
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Giraffe 14Y-/2020
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Scarabus Bordeaux Cask Grand Cru Finish
Scarabus Bordeaux Cask Grand Cru Finish
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenfarclas 0,2 litre 21 Years
Glenfarclas 0,2 litre 21 Years
0,2/ l · incl.  VAT
Lochlea Single Estate Grenache Cask Finish /2025
Lochlea Single Estate Grenache Cask Finish /2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Wolfburn Northland 8 Years
Wolfburn Northland 8 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Blended Whisky

Blended whisky is a mixture of different whiskies that are blended together. The basis here is industrially produced grain Whisky. This is cheaper to produce than a single malt Whisky. The grain is not malted and is distilled in a continuous still. However, depending on the proportion of malt in the blend, there are very high-quality blended Whiskies. The art of the blendmaster is to create a consistent flavour.

Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon whiskey is an American whiskey that was originally distilled exclusively in Kentucky. The grain mixture must contain at least 51 per cent corn. It also usually contains rye and barley. Bourbon must be stored for at least two years in new American white oak barrels. The flavour of vanilla is typical of bourbon.

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7 Years
Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Eagle Rare 10 Years
Eagle Rare 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Old Grand Dad
Old Grand Dad
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Ezra Brooks 99
Ezra Brooks 99
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Yellowstone Family Recipe 6 Years
Yellowstone Family Recipe 6 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace 10%
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Blanton's Gold (B-Ware)
Blanton's Gold (B-Ware)
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon
Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Four Roses Yellow Label
Four Roses Yellow Label
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Rowan's Creek
Rowan's Creek
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Tennessee Whiskey

A bourbon Tennessee Whiskey is subject to the same requirements as a bourbon from Kentucky. However, it must have been produced in Tennessee and undergone filtration over charcoal. The best-known representative is Jack Daniel's

Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack
Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's American Single Malt
Jack Daniel's American Single Malt
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's Bonded
Jack Daniel's Bonded
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 McLaren Edition 2025
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 McLaren Edition 2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
George Dickel Handcrafted 8 Years
George Dickel Handcrafted 8 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
George Dickel Single Barrel 9 Years
George Dickel Single Barrel 9 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's Travelers Bold & Spicy
Jack Daniel's Travelers Bold & Spicy
0,5/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
George Dickel Single Barrel 15 Years
George Dickel Single Barrel 15 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 - Mailbox
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 - Mailbox
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
George Dickel Signature Recipe
George Dickel Signature Recipe
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Rye Whiskey

Rye Whiskey consists of at least 51 per cent rye. It is characterised by a strong, spicy flavour. The two main producing countries are the USA and Canada

Brother's Bond Rye
Brother's Bond Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Gun Fighter Rye Rum Finish
Gun Fighter Rye Rum Finish
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Woodford Reserve Rye
Woodford Reserve Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Michter's Barrel Strength Rye /2025
Michter's Barrel Strength Rye /2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Bulleit 95 Rye
Bulleit 95 Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Willett Family Estate Rye 4 Years
Willett Family Estate Rye 4 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
George Dickel Rye
George Dickel Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Bowsaw Small Batch Rye Whiskey
Bowsaw Small Batch Rye Whiskey
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Rebel 100 Straight Rye
Rebel 100 Straight Rye
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Minor Case Sherry Cask Finished
Minor Case Sherry Cask Finished
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
WhistlePig Rye 10 Years
WhistlePig Rye 10 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Templeton Rye 6 Years
Templeton Rye 6 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Pot still Whiskey

A pot still Whiskey is made from malted and unmalted barley in a pot still. It is only available in Ireland.

Yellow Spot 12 Years
Yellow Spot 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Redbreast Cask Strength 12Y-/2023
Redbreast Cask Strength 12Y-/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Powers John's Lane 12 Years
Powers John's Lane 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Sailor's Home - Stormchaser The Explorer Series
Sailor's Home - Stormchaser The Explorer Series
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Redbreast Ruby Port Cask Cask Strength 27 Years
Redbreast Ruby Port Cask Cask Strength 27 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Redbreast 18 Years
Redbreast 18 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Redbreast 12 Years
Redbreast 12 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Boann Marsala Single Pot Still
Boann Marsala Single Pot Still
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Green Spot Château Montelena
Green Spot Château Montelena
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glendalough Pot Still
Glendalough Pot Still
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Blue Spot Cask Strength 7 Years
Blue Spot Cask Strength 7 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Dingle Single Pot Still
Dingle Single Pot Still
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Grain Whisky

It is made from different types of grain. The most common varieties are wheat and corn. It has a light and mild flavour and is mainly distilled in column stills for Blended Whisky production.

Strathclyde Ex-Peated Pedro Ximénez Barrique Finish Mission Gold 37Y-1987/2025
Strathclyde Ex-Peated Pedro Ximénez Barrique Finish Mission Gold 37Y-1987/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Port Dundas Bourbon Hogshead Cask Strength Collection 29Y-1995/2025
Port Dundas Bourbon Hogshead Cask Strength Collection 29Y-1995/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
The Observatory 20 Years
The Observatory 20 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
North British First Fill Ruby Port Barrique - Best Dram 17Y-2007/2025
North British First Fill Ruby Port Barrique - Best Dram 17Y-2007/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Inchdairnie RyeLaw Fife Single Grain - Vintage 2018/2025
Inchdairnie RyeLaw Fife Single Grain - Vintage 2018/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Port Dundas Second Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts 16Y-2008/2024
Port Dundas Second Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts 16Y-2008/2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
North British 100 Proof Edition #2 Signatory Vintage 15Y-2009/2025
North British 100 Proof Edition #2 Signatory Vintage 15Y-2009/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Invergordon Amontillado Cask Finish - Cooper's Choice 19Y-2005/2024
Invergordon Amontillado Cask Finish - Cooper's Choice 19Y-2005/2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Loch Lomond Single Grain Peated - Grain Storm
Loch Lomond Single Grain Peated - Grain Storm
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
North British Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Collection 33Y-1991/2024
North British Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt Cask Strength Collection 33Y-1991/2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

Other types of Whisky

There are also variants of the above, such as Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Corn Whisky, Single Rye or Single Grain, Single Pot Still and not forgetting whiskies from other countries around the world, whose production is subject to different legal regulations.

Blackened Metallica Whiskey
Blackened Metallica Whiskey
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
St. Laurent 3 Grains Whisky 3 Years
St. Laurent 3 Grains Whisky 3 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Platte Valley Straight Corn Whiskey 0.2 litre
Platte Valley Straight Corn Whiskey 0.2 litre
0,2/ l · incl.  VAT
Balcones Texas Single Malt - Rum Cask Finish
Balcones Texas Single Malt - Rum Cask Finish
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Seagrams 7 Crown
Seagrams 7 Crown
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Michter's Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash - NEW 2025 variant /2025
Michter's Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash - NEW 2025 variant /2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Woodford Reserve Malt
Woodford Reserve Malt
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Jack Daniel's American Single Malt
Jack Daniel's American Single Malt
1/ l · incl.  VAT
Heaven's Door Double Barrel
Heaven's Door Double Barrel
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
F.E.W Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Motor Oil
F.E.W Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Motor Oil
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Tincup Colorado Whiskey
Tincup Colorado Whiskey
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT

How does Whisky taste

As we all know, taste is a matter of taste! Have you ever heard of it?

We can perceive five tastes. They are: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. From these and from our memory, we construct what we taste. A so-called Nosing Wheel gives you an overview of how you can name tastes. You can find everything else about taste in great detail here!

 

How do you drink Whisky?

Pure or with a little water. On ice or in a mixed drink. In a style glass or in a tumbler. Taste it for yourself! Here you will find everything on the subject of tasting!

How much does Whisky cost?

Whisky is available in the supermarket for under 10 euros. The whiskies we have selected start at 25 euros. Take a look around our shop! You have the option of sorting by price.

How is Whisky made?

Grain is malted, dried, ground, then mashed, fermented and finally distilled. The distillate is put into barrels and matured there.

What does malting mean?
How does drying work?
Where is malting done?
How is mashing done?
What happens during fermentation?
How is it distilled?
How long is the whisky stored?

We answer all these questions here in great detail!

How long has Whisky been around?

The origins of Whisky date back to 1494, when it was first mentioned in Scotland. In 1608, the first distillery in Ireland, Bushmills, was recorded. At the end of the 18th century, the first blends were created and in the 1960s Glenfiddich brought the first single malt onto the market. You are welcome to delve further into the history of Whisky!

More knowledge?

What does the information on the label of a bottle mean? We have compiled these and many other questions and answers as well as helpful tips for you in our Informative section.

Exchange with like-minded people

Do you like to be active? Then join the large whisky community. In the forum you can ask questions and share your experiences with other connoisseurs. In the blog you can find out news from the Whisky world.

Use our shop! There you will find informative taste descriptions and tasting videos for the Whiskies, as well as taste ratings from our customers. These will help you to find the right whisky.

Perhaps a Whisky tasting would be something for you?

FAQ - frequently asked questions

Here we have compiled typical questions about whisky and the ordering process in the shop. Take a look!

Conclusion

It is a long way to become a whisky connoisseur - but the way there is full of pleasure!

We hope that our whisky portal will provide you with a wonderful introduction to the world of whisky and hope you enjoy tasting it.

Your Whisky.de Team

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Sylvia Simm is an experienced employee of Whisky.de. After more than 20 years in online sales and service, she supports the company with her extensive whisky knowledge in marketing. As online editor and content manager, she is responsible for editing and updating the texts on the knowledge pages.

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