Whiskey 101: The Essential Basics of Whiskey

Let's be honest: the whiskey world can feel like an exclusive, intimidating club. You walk into the liquor store and face a wall of bottles labeled Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, and Irish, with all kinds of jargon about "mash bills," "age statements," and "proof." It’s enough to make you just grab the same bottle you always do. This is where that all changes. Welcome to the Pour Man's Proof Whiskey 101 learning hub, your definitive, no-snobbery guide to the world's favorite spirit. We believe learning about whiskey should be as easy as drinking it, and our mission is to give you the confidence to explore, shop, and sip smarter.

We’ve built this guide from the ground up to answer every fundamental question you’ve been afraid to ask. We start with the absolute basics, like "What Is Whiskey?" and finally settle the "Whisky vs. Whiskey" spelling debate. From there, we give you practical, money-saving skills, like how to read a whiskey label to find real value, and we'll bust the expensive myth that older always means better. These are the core articles that will give you the proof you need to build a better home bar and feel great about every bottle you buy.