54. Whiskies

Question 1

Whiskey is from what country?

Answer 1

Ireland, United States {with an E]

Question 2

Whisky is from what country?

Answer 2

Scotland {no E]

Question 3

What is malting?

Answer 3

insoluble starches are converted to soluble starch (not sugar): grain is steeped in water, placed in humid environment, germination begins, release of enzymes, grain is kilned (optionally with peat)

Question 4

What is mashing?

Answer 4

dissolves soluble starches in water; malted grain is first crushed, then mashed with hot water, enzymes convert dissolved starches to sugar.

Question 5

What is wort?

Answer 5

sugary solution from grain that can be fermented

Question 6

What is the contribution of barrels used to age whisky?

Answer 6

up to 70% of flavor comes from barrels, especially, vanilla, coconut and spice from ex-Bourbon barrels

Question 7

What are similarities of Malt Whisky and Grain Whisky?

Answer 7

both have strength < 94.8%; both matured in Scotland in oak barrels for >= 3 years; both made from malted barley

Question 8

What are differences of Malt Whisky and Grain Whisky?

Answer 8

Malt Whisky is distilled in pots; Grain Whisky is distilled in a continuous still

Question 9

What does the age of Single Whisky indicate?

Answer 9

the age of the youngest whisky in the blend

Question 10

Single Grain and Single Malt Whisky refers to what?

Answer 10

the product of a single distillery

Question 11

What is the typical model for Irish Whiskey?

Answer 11

absence of peat, triple distillation, use of unmalted barley (in the style of Midleton distillery)

Question 12

What is the only distillery in Northern Ireland?

Answer 12

Bushmills

Question 13

How many distilleries are in Ireland?

Answer 13

three: Midleton, Cooley, Bushmills

Question 14

What grain is used for Bourbon?

Answer 14

corn (maize)

Question 15

Where can Bourbon be made?

Answer 15

anywhere in USA, but most made in Kentucky

Question 16

What spirit uses a mixture of wort and backset?

Answer 16

Bourbon

Question 17

What is the main advantage of mixing wort and backset?

Answer 17

ensures that individual yeasts dominate the ferment

Question 18

What type of spirit gets a significant contribution of flavor from the yeast?

Answer 18

Bourbon

Question 19

What kind of barrels are used for Bourbon ageing?

Answer 19

new, charred, American white oak barrels

Question 20

Which allows addition of caramel for color, Scotch Whisky or Bourbon?

Answer 20

Scotch Whisky

Question 21

What is the defining production step for Tennessee Whiskey?

Answer 21

before maturation, spirit is dripped through maple wood charcoal (softens character and imparts a smoky sweetness)

Question 22

What is Blended Whisky?

Answer 22

the product of two or more distilleries

Question 23

What is Blended Scotch Whisky?

Answer 23

a blend of malt and grain whisky

Question 24

What is Blended Malt Scotch Whisky?

Answer 24

a blend of malt whiskies from different distilleries

Question 25

What is Blended Grain Scotch Whisky?

Answer 25

a blend of grain whiskies from different distilleries

Question 26

Which Scotch Whisky is the most peaty?

Answer 26

Islay

Question 27

Where is most Scotch Grain Whisky produced?

Answer 27

Lowlands

Question 28

What is the most complex grain spirit?

Answer 28

Whisky

Question 29

What are the 3 most important factors that influence style and flavor of Malt Whisky?

Answer 29

use of peat, distillation process (still specifications), barrels

Question 30

What is the source of most barrels used in Malt Whisky production?

Answer 30

ex-Bourbon barrels (for vanilla, coconut and spice)

Question 31

What is the largest distillery in Ireland?

Answer 31

Midleton (not Bushmills)