This question comes from Alison:OK, I’m sure this is a stupid question, but what’s the difference between a whiskey, bourbon, and scotch? I noticed for the first time at the store last night that they all say whiskey on the label, and I found this frustrating.This is NOT a stupid question, and it is rightfully confusing, but there is a simple answer. Whiskey (or whisky, depending on place of origin) is nothing more than a spirit distilled from fermented grains and aged in wood. That’s why American whiskeys can vary wildly in flavor, depending on the grain used and how much the wood in which the whiskey ages imparts further flavors. Bourbon and Scotch are subsets of the greater category of whiskey.Bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn (most distillers use far more) and aged in new, charred oak barrels. These two facts give the profile of the average bourbon: a little sweeter than most whiskey, from both the corn and the oak, and a decidedly vanilla and/or spiced aroma from the oak. By design, bourbon is the user friendliest spirit.Scotch must be distilled and aged in Scotland, from water and malted barley. During the malting process, smoke is used to dry the barley, and often peat is added to flavor the smoke. This process is what gives many (but not all) Scotches their tell tale characteristics and makes it more of an aquired taste (I hate that term). This is an over simplification, but enough to ease your frustration, hopefully. My question to you: Whaddya get?If you have a question you’ve always wanted to ask about the bar or anything in it, email me here: mdutton@seattleweekly.com.