Wise Whiskey Wednesday: Flavored vs Infused

Wise Whiskey Wednesday: Flavored vs Infused

The World of Whiskey is huge. It’s filled with so much history, so many different brands, styles, and a diverse range of flavors. It has been a beloved spirit for centuries and over time distillers from all over the world have developed various techniques to enhance and modify its taste.

Two popular methods are flavoring and infusion, which can be used to enhance the profile with additional flavors and aromas.

In this Wise Whiskey Wednesday Blog, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of flavored vs infused whiskey, exploring its differences, production processes, and unique characteristics.

Flavored Whiskey

The first flavored whiskey can be traced back to the 1880s but there is still a debate on whether it was considered a whiskey or liquor. It wasn’t until the 1970s that America saw a flavored whiskey boom and the first awarded flavored whiskey didn’t even happen until 2010. Since then, the category has exploded and created a flavor of whiskey for everyone.

Flavored Whiskey gained popularity due to its ability to cater to a wide range of palates offering an entry point for those who may find the traditional whiskey taste too strong.

So how is Flavored Whiskey made? Typically it’s created by starting with a whiskey base then artificial or “natural” flavors are added in, stirred up, and bottled.

Artificial Flavors

These laboratory-born creations are often derived from petroleum, coal, or other unnatural sources, and undergo a complex and synthetic process just to imitate the tastes we associate with natural flavors. Chemical flavorings commonly include esters, aldehydes, ketones, and aromatic compounds.

Despite regulatory approval, Artificial Flavors in excessive consumption or from individual sensitivities may lead to adverse reactions. 

“Natural” Flavors

Despite their name, “Natural” flavorings, undergo processing and may contain additives, carriers, solvents, stabilizers, and diluents to enhance stability. For example, propylene glycol can be used to extract flavors from natural sources and Maltodextrin can be used as a carrier but both undergo intense unnatural processing. 

Flavored whiskeys offer a wide variety of tastes and aromas, providing accessible and exciting options in the industry. However, by acknowledging the facts surrounding what makes something flavored, we can make informed decisions that align with our preferences and what we choose to put in our bodies.

Infused Whiskey

Infused whiskey, or infused spirits, takes a distinct approach to enhancing taste. Instead of simply adding blended flavorings to the spirit, infusion involves the process of steeping or macerating natural ingredients to extract their flavors gradually over time.

Time plays an important part in the infusion process. Depending on how long and what type of ingredients are placed in the spirit it allows the flavors to permeate and absorb the natural essence.

For instance, when black currants are infused with a spirit, they release natural pigments, essential oils, anthocyanins, sugars, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals into the liquid.

After the infusion process, the spirit undergoes a meticulous filtration procedure. This step ensures that fibers, plant material, and other natural compounds from the infused ingredients are removed, resulting in a smooth and refined spirit.

After all, nobody wants a chunky drink!

Infusing spirits, like whiskey, or even infused bourbon gives the distiller a more natural, hands-0n, and experimental approach to altering the taste profile of your favorite drink!

Key Differences: Flavored vs Infused

• Flavor Source: Flavored whiskey incorporates pre-blended artificial and “natural” flavoring agents, while infused whiskey derives its taste profile directly from steeped ingredients.
• Production Process: Flavored whiskey involves blending artificial and “natural” flavors with the base spirit, while infused whiskey relies on a steeping period to infuse taste and natural compounds into the whiskey.
• Taste Profile: Flavored whiskeys often possess a sweeter and more pronounced flavor, while infused whiskeys may offer a subtler, more complex taste profile.
• Customization: With flavored whiskey, distillers have greater control over the final product’s flavor, while infused whiskey allows for more craft, natural, and experimental flavor combinations.

Infused Vs Flavored Spirits

Whether you prefer flavored whiskey or the artisanal complexities of infused whiskey, both styles offer a unique twist.  Whichever glass you choose to raise, exploring the world of flavored and infused whiskeys is sure to ignite your taste buds.

Infusing spirits, like whiskey, or even infused bourbon gives the distiller a more natural, hands-0n, and experimental approach to altering the taste profile of your favorite drink!

Now you can experience the art of infusion at its finest!  Von Payne intentionally chose to infuse our product, retaining the bourbon-forward taste with a more subtle flavor profile of black currant.

This makes Von Payne Black a true whiskey drinker’s drink while helping the non-whiskey drinker start their whiskey journey with the pleasure of Payne!