Which part of the whiskey-making process involves stirring with hot water?

Mashing is the step in the whiskey-making process where hot water is combined with crushed grains, typically malted barley, to extract fermentable sugars. This process involves stirring the mixture to ensure that the hot water evenly interacts with the grain material, facilitating the extraction of enzymes that convert starches into sugars. The temperature of the water is crucial, as it activates different enzymes at various temperatures, enhancing the overall sugar yield and flavor profile of the final spirit.

During mashing, the mixture, often referred to as the mash, is allowed to rest to let the enzymes work on the starches. After this process, the liquid, known as wort, is separated from the solid grain particles to be transferred to the fermentation step, making mashing a vital stage for creating the base for whiskey.