A congressman was once asked by a constituent to explain his attitude toward whiskey.

"If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I am against it", the congressman said.

"But if you mean that elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I am for it. This is my position and I will not compromise."

Whiskey is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, usually corn, rye, barley, or wheat, then aged in oak barrels. In the United States, whiskey must be distilled at less than 190 proof, although whiskey designationed as bourbon or rye cannot be distilled above 160 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof.

Whiskey, when placed in barrels to age is clear. It is during aging that whiskey obtains its characteristic amber color, flavor, and aroma.

The major whiskey producing countries are the U.S., Canada, Scotland, and Ireland. Special grain characteristics, recipes, and distillation processes make the whiskey of each country distinct from each other.

Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey, as well as Scotch, were previously described, here we will cover some of the other commonly known whiskey types.

American whiskey falls into 2 major categories--straight and blended. Straight whiskey is distilled from a 51% base of a single grain and not blended with neutral grain spirits or other whiskeys. Straight whiskeys are aged in charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. Bourbon is a straight whiskey. Rye whiskey is distilled from a mash of not less than 51% rye. It is much like bourbon in color, but is different in taste and heavier in flavor. Corn whiskey is distilled from a mash of not less than 80% corn and commonly aged in reused charred orak barrels.

Blended whiskey is a blend of one or more straight whiskeys and neutral grain spirits, containing at least 20% straight whiskey bottled at no less than 80 proof.

Like Scotch, Canadian whisky is spelled without the 'e'. Canadian whiskies arre blended, usually distilled from rye, corn, and barley. Produced only in Canada under government supervision most Canadian whisky sold in the U.S. is at least 3 years old. Canadian whisky is generally lighter-bodied than American whiskey and usually sold at 80 proof. MacNaughton Canadian Whisky, blended and bottled in Canada, was one of the early pioneers in the U.S. market. Canadian LTD, blended in Canada but bottled in the U.S., is another poplar brand, ranking fifth in the U.S. among popularly priced Canadian whiskies.

Irish whiskey, produced only in Ireland, is, like Scotch, a blended product containing both barley malt and other grain whiskeys. Unlike Scotch, the malt is dried in coal-fired kilns and the aroma of the fires does not reach the malt. Generally aged a minimum of 5 years in used sherry casks, Irish whiskey is lighter inflavor and less smokey than Scotch.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of orange peel and an olive.

Stir with ice cubes in highball glass and fill with ginger ale.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass over shaved ice. Fill with club soda and decorate with slices of orange and lemon and a cherry. Serve with straws.

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or spear and a cherry.

Shake all ingredients and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Moisten glass rim with cherry brandy.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add a stick of pineapple.

Pour all ingredients into collins glass over ice cubes. Add club soda and an orange slice.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake well with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a mint leaf.

Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Decorate with a 1/2 slice of lemon and a cherry.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a green olive.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Decorate with slices of lemon and lime.

Peel rind of whole lemon in spiral fashion and put in collins glass with one end hanging over rim. Fill glass with ice cubes. Add blended whiskey. Then fill with ginger ale and stir well.

Shake with ice and strain into highball glass. Add two ice cubes and fill with club soda and stir.

Mix blended whiskey with a generous helping of apple cider. Serve over ice in old-fashioned glass and garnish with a slice of apple.

Pour lime juice and whiskey into highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir. Add a piece of lime.

Shake with ice and strain into punch cup. Decorate with fresh raspberries, strawberries, a cherry, and two peach slices.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.

Pour Irish Whiskey into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with ginger ale or club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel (optional), and stir.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass. Add several cubes of ice, and fill with club soda and stir. Decorate with slices of orange and lemon and a cherry. Serve with straws.

Muddle first 3 ingredients well in old-fashioned glass and add whiskey and ice cubes. Stir well.

In collins glass, mix powdered sugar and club soda. Fill glass with ice and add whiskey. Fill with club soda or ginger ale and stir. Insert a spiral of orange and/or lemon peel and dangle over glass rim.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a pineapple stick on top.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Stir with ice and strain into shot glass.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Shake first 3 ingredients with ice and strain into sour glass, leaving about 1/2 inch on which to float claret. Decorate with 1/2 slice of lemon and a cherry.

In old-fashioned glass put sugar cube, bitters, and water, and muddle well. Add whiskey and stir. Add a twist of lemon peel and ice cubes. Decorate with slices of orange and lemon and a cherry. Serve with a swizzle stick.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass rimmed with sugar.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Pour whiskey over ice into highball glass. Fill with ginger ale or club soda and ice cubes. Add a twist of lemon peel and stir.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Decorate with mint leaves.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with an olive.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Serve with a straw.

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Add a slice of lime and a slice of lemon.

Shake with ice and strain into red wine glass filled with cracked ice. Add slices of orange, lemon, and a cherry. Serve with straws.

Dissolve sugar in club soda in red wine glass. Fill with shaved ice and add whiskey. Stir and decorate with seasonal fruit. Serve with a straw.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with a cherry.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass. Add several ice cubes, fill with club soda and stir. Decorate with slices of lemon and orange and a cherry. Serve with a straw.

Shake with ice and strain into beer mug or metal cup. Add 1 ice cube and decorate with fruit.

Shake juice and sugar with ice and strain into highball glass. Fill glass with ice and whiskey. Stir and add a slice of lemon. Serve with straws.

Pour whiskey over ice into highball glass. Fill with ginger ale or club soda. Add a twist of lemon peel and stir.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Shake with ice and strain into highball glass over ice cubes. Decorate with slices of orange and lemon.

Pour into highball glass over ice cubes and fill with club soda. Stir. Add twist of lime peel.

Dissolve sugar in water in old-fashioned glass. Add whiskey, ice cubes, and club soda. Stir and float port on top. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.

In old-fashioned glass, dissolve sugar in water and lemon juice. Add ice cubes and whiskey. Stir and add a twist of lemon peel.

Muddle sugar with club soda and mint in old-fashioned glass. Add whiskey, then ice cubes. Stir and decorate with a slice of orange and a cherry. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Shake with ice and strain into sour glass. Decorate with a 1/2 slice of lemon and a cherry.

Shake with ice and strain into highball glass. Fill with club soda and ice cubes. Decorate with cubes of pineapple and strawberries.

Put lime juice, sugar, and club soda into collins glass. Fill glass with ice and stir. Add bitters and whiskey. Fill with club soda and serve with a swizzle stick.

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Serve with slices of lemon and orange.

Shake with ice and strain into collins glass.