The Grains We Grow: All About Barley

Some of the first whiskeys were made entirely of barley. It’s a staple in many whiskeys around the world, but what exactly is barley? How is it used in making whiskey? We break down everything you need to know about this essential whiskey grain.

What is Barley?

Barley is a cereal grass, in the same family as rye, corn, and wheat. Barley is one of the oldest food sources in the world and one of the most important. It grows very quickly and can be grown in many different climates. It’s grown in Africa, the Himalayas, Europe, the Middle East, and in North and South America. It was the main food crop for the Hebrews, Greeks and Romans, and is the fourth largest grain crop grown in the world today.

What is Barley Used For?

Although historically barley was one of the main food crops for humans, today 65% of all barley goes to the animal feed. Animals typically eat the high protein variety of barley, called six-row. While humans usually use the low-protein, higher-sugar variety of barley called two-row.

Barley is consumed in soups, breads, and salads–usually acting as a neutral base like a rice or other grain. But a lot of the barley grown for human consumption goes into the making of malt for beer and spirits.

How is Barley Used for Whiskey?

Barley is the primary grain in Scotch whiskey or malt whiskey. The malting process is done to make the barley sprout and create enzymes, which convert the carbohydrates into simple sugars, which are then fermented by the yeast in alcohol.

Scotland, England, and even Japan are known for focusing on barley as the primary grain for their whiskey, however it’s added in the mash of rye whiskey, bourbon, and many other varieties of whiskey in the United States as well.

What Does Barley Taste Like?

When eaten in soups or breads, barley has a subtle nutty and chewy texture, similar to that of brown rice or farrow. It’s full of nutrients like manganese, fiber, and selenium. Thanks to its rich fiber content, the grain is beneficial for digestion and intestinal health.

What Flavors Does Barley Add to Whiskey?

Single malts made in Scotland or Ireland are made entirely of barley. These whiskeys are traditionally made with malted barley. Malted barley produces a smoky, toasted, chocolate or nutty flavor. Many people refer to this flavor profile as cereal or toast.

American whiskey typically combines the barley with wheat, rye, or corn to produce different tastes and flavors. However, the barley still provides the toasted, nutty flavor found in single malt whiskey.

Additionally, some distillers also used unmalted barley in whiskey. The unmalted barley adds sharp and sour flavors, including lemon or apple.

Whether barley is the only grain, or added to a mixture of grains, it’s truly the star of whiskey throughout the world.

Cheers!