Name a common base ingredient used to make whiskey.

Barley is indeed a common base ingredient used to make whiskey, particularly in the production of Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey. It is often malted, which involves soaking the barley in water and allowing it to germinate before drying it with hot air. This malting process develops the enzymes necessary for converting the barley's starches into fermentable sugars, which is a crucial step in whiskey production.

Barley gibes whiskey its distinctive flavor profile, with characteristics that can include notes of nuttiness, sweetness, and a range of complex flavors depending on the production method and aging process. Although other grains like wheat, rye, and corn are also used in whiskey production—leading to different styles and flavors—barley has a traditional and significant role in this spirit's manufacture.