American Whiskey

Question 1

What parameters did the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1909 mandate for whiskey in the United States

Answer 1

1) Whiskey must be made from grain.
2) Could be labeled as “straight whiskey” if made of 100% aged grain spirit.
3) If a neutral spirit was used, it was required to be labeled as “blended.”

Question 2

What did the Volstead Act prohibit in the United States?

Answer 2

The manufacture, transportation, or sale of liquor, but did not prohibit the consumption of alcohol.

Question 3

True or False: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a promotional program of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

What is “sour mashing”?

Answer 4

Taking the backset, or the residue from the first distillation run, and placing it back in the fermenter for use in the next batch.

Question 5

What is the defining characteristic of blended American whiskeys?

Answer 5

Must contain a blend of straight whiskeys to make up at least 20% of the alcohol content on a proof gallon basis with whiskey or neutral spirits.

Question 6

What standards define “Tennessee Whiskey”?

Answer 6

1) Must be made with 51% corn.
2) Distilled with an ABV no higher than 160 proof and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV.
3) Stored in charred new oak containers for at least 2 years.
4) Produced using a charcoal filtering technique known as the Lincoln County Process.