Collection
Country of origin
Exploring whisky by country of origin shows how strongly tradition, climate and regulations shape flavour. At Mood4Whisky you will find whiskies from six countries: Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Denmark and Japan. From the classic Scottish regions to young distilleries in Wales and Denmark, every country has its own story in the glass.
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Each country has its own collection: Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Denmark and Japan. Scotland is the most broadly represented, with single malts, blends and single casks from Tomatin, Kingsbarns, Cadenhead and Duncan Taylor, among others. Wales is represented by Penderyn, Denmark by the field-to-glass whiskies of Thy and Ireland by Silkie and W.D. O'Connell. The Japan collection consists of the Sakhrani editions, which receive their finish in Okinawa. Prefer to choose by flavour? Then use the M4W Flavour Compass.
Which rules apply to whisky in Europe?
In the European Union a drink may only be called whisky if it is distilled from a mash of malted cereals, has matured for at least three years in wooden casks of no more than 700 litres and is bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Adding sugar or flavourings is not permitted; only caramel colouring is allowed. Countries may add stricter rules of their own on top, as Scotland and Ireland do.
What is a protected geographical indication for whisky?
A protected geographical indication stipulates that a name may only be used for whisky made in that area according to set rules. Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey have long been protected. Single Malt Welsh Whisky received that status in July 2023, and English whisky was registered as a geographical indication in October 2026. Since 2021 Japan has had its own industry standard defining when something may be called Japanese whisky.
Does the country of origin say anything about flavour?
It says something about style and tradition, but not everything. Irish whiskey is often triple distilled and therefore smooth, Scotland has both smoky and fruity regions, and young whisky countries like to experiment, as Thy does with rye, spelt and beech smoke. Within a single country you will often find several flavour profiles as well: Penderyn from Wales has whiskies in three of the four quadrants of the M4W Flavour Compass.
What is world whisky?
World whisky is a collective term for whisky from outside the traditional major whisky countries of Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Japan. The term is also used for whiskies that combine raw materials or maturation stages from several countries. At Mood4Whisky this includes the Danish whiskies of Thy and the Sakhrani editions, which mature in Scotland and receive their finish in Okinawa. Welsh and English whisky are sometimes described this way too.
Why do some countries spell whiskey with an e?
The difference is mainly tradition. Ireland and the United States usually write whiskey; Scotland, Wales, England, Canada and Japan stick to whisky. In practice, brands follow their own choice: Silkie and W.D. O'Connell write whiskey, while the Welsh and Danish makers use whisky. Legally there is no difference in meaning; European rules recognise both spellings for the same drink.