3.3 REV Q (Whisk(e)y)

Question 1

Which raw material is used in whisk(e)y production?

Answer 1

Grains. The most important ones are corn, rye and barley.

Question 2

Which five countries are commonly known for whisk(e)y production?

Answer 2

Scotland, the USA, Ireland, Canada and Japan

Question 3

What is the first stage of whisk(e)y production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 3

Processing grains

Grains are full of starch that needs to be converted to sugar before fermentation. The classic method is to let the grains of barley do all of the work. First let the grains go through a proces called malting. They are then crushed and mixed with water to create a sugary liquid.

Question 4

What is the second stage of whisk(e)y production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 4

Fermentation

Yeast are added to this sugary liquid to get fermentation underway

Question 5

What is the third stage of whisk(e)y production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 5

Distillation

Whisky producers use both column and pot stills but in some instances what a distiller can do is limited by the law

Question 6

What is the fourth stage of whisk(e)y production and what happens during the stage?

Answer 6

After distillation

All whiskies are aged in oak and, matured, blended and if necessary coloured to create the exact style the producer is looking for. Most whiskies are diluted to 40% ABV prior to bottling.

Question 7

What are the three focuses on processes after distillation?

Answer 7

1. New and old oak
2. Blending
3. Caramel colouring

Question 8

Explain the process of New and Old Oak after distillation

Answer 8

The age of the oak barrel can give a wide range of flavours. A new oak barrel gives a spirit a lot of colour and intense flavours including, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and coconut. An example is Bourbon where the law states distillers must use new oak barrels. Barrels that have been used before are called old oak barrels, which give a spirit less flavour and colour and are widely used in Scotch Whisky production. Scottish distillers buy most of their barrels from Bourbon distillers.

Question 9

Explain the process of Blending after distillation.

Answer 9

Each barrel is unique and slightly different, the blender must take these individual parts to make up batches for their brands. Overall a blender has two aims:

1. Consistency: most consumers expect their spirit to be consistent from one bottle to the next.
2. Complexity: some individual barrels can be extraordinarily complex, the easiest way of creating complexity and depth is by blending spirits with different characteristics.

Question 10

Explain the process of Caramel colouring after distillation

Answer 10

The colour of oak-aged spirits can vary considerably from one barrel to another. This is a problem for blenders who are striving for consistency. Therefore, when they blend the contents of the barrels together to make up their batches they sometimes use very small amounts of a colouring material called caramel to ensure that each batch has the correct colour.

Question 11

Which other spirit also uses blending and caramel colouring in its production?

Answer 11

Cognac

Question 12

What is the minimum age of Scotch whisky?

Answer 12

Three years

Question 13

Which are the two important types of Scotch Whisky?

Answer 13

• Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Blended Scotch Whisky

Question 14

Explain the characteristics of a Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Answer 14

Single Malt Whisky must be:

• Made from 100% barley
• Distilled in pot stills
• A blend of whiskies from one distillery

They have flavours of: cereal, fruits, flowers, honey, fruit cake and sweet spices. Smoke is somtimes found in these whiskies, which comes from burning peat. This is done when the grains are heated at the end of the malting process. The smoke that is created by burning the peat flavours the grains. Only a few Single Malt Whiskeis have peat flavours and in some of these whiskies the smoky flavours are pronounced.

Question 15

Explain the characteristics of a Blended Scotch Whisky

Answer 15

Blended Scotch Whiskies must be:

• Blend of malt whiskies and grain whiskies
• From different distilleries

Grain whisky is

• Made from a mix of grains
• Distilled in a column still and has a light flavour intensity
• Hardly ever sold on its own

Blended scotch whiskies vary a great deal. Some only have a medium intensity and are relatively simple but other can be pronounced and complex. They are typically smoother than malt whiskies.

Question 16

Which are the three main types of American Whiskey?

Answer 16

1. Bourbon
2. Rye
3. Tennessee

Question 17

Explain the characteristics of Bourbon

Answer 17

Bourbon:

• Can be made anywhere in the USA. No1 state is Kentucky
• At least 51% of the grains must be corn (other grains are barley, wheat and rye)
• Typically made in a column still but max permitted strength is low.
• Must be aged in new oak barrels for pronounced and complex flavours of: sweetcorn, cereal, fruit, vanilla and coconut.

Question 18

Explain the characteristics of Tennessee.

Answer 18

Tennessee whiskey:

• Can only be made in the state of Tennessee.
• Made in the same way like bourbon except the newly made spirit must be passed through a maple charcoal filter before it is put in oak barrels

Charcoal filter: removes impurities and helps give the spirit a smoother character and does not add any flavours.

Question 19

Explain the characteristics of Rye

Answer 19

Rye Whiskey:

• Made in the exact same way as Bourbon except that at least 51% of the grains used must be rye.
• Gives a slight scent of lemon and spicy / peppery aromas.

Question 20

Explain the characteristics of Irish Whiskey

Answer 20

The majority of Irish whiskies are made from a blend of pot and column still spirits. They are typically lighter and smoother in character than Scotch whisky but the amount of variety and choice is currently growing rapidly.

Question 21

Explain the characteristics of Canadian Whisky

Answer 21

Canadian whiskies are made using many different grains and they are typically a blend of high- and low- strength spirits. Rye is the signature flavour of the best Canadian whiskies.

Question 22

Explain the characteristics of Japanese Whisky

Answer 22

Japan produces whisky using the Scottish model. They produce both malt and blended whiskies that are very elegant and refined.