Scotch is predominantly barley based with a blend of other grains. Single malt Scotch and straight whiskey are produced from one distillery, while blended whiskey combines whiskeys from various distilleries. Canadian whiskey is aged for six years, often in used wood casks. Irish whiskey, as with Scotch, can use a combination of barrels, sherry casks included. Middleton Rare Irish whiskey uses regular wood barrels, and tends not to use sherry barrels at all.
Vodka is a distilled beverage usually made from barley, corn, or rye.
It is sometimes made from potatoes, sugar beets, or whey. Vodka is known as a neutral grain spirit, meaning that it has no taste or color. Sometimes vodka can be sweetened with sugar. Vodka is used primarily in mixed drinks. If other flavors or sweeteners are added to vodka it can no longer be called vodka.