How To Make Whisky The history of Scottish malt whisky distilling is shrouded in antiquity. They have existed since at least the monks of the fifteenth century, and perhaps even earlier. Even now, the nuanced flavors and scents of whisky remain a mystery, despite the fact that distillers' art has been understood since ancient times. In the 18th century, the ancient phrase uisge beatha-Gaelic for the Latin aqua vitae or "water of life"-became usky and then whisky. The process is generalized in the following description. From What Is Whiskey Made? Whiskey is made of a few straightforward components: 1. Mash of grains The majority of alcohol production starts with an agricultural product that will go through fermentation. A blend of grains, such as malted barley, rye, corn, or wheat, is typically used to create a fermentable whiskey foundation. These grains frequently determine the flavors and name of the finished product. For example, the mash bill for rye whiskey must contain at least 51% rye, while the mash bill for Kentucky bourbon must have at least 51% maize.