American Whiskey Flashcards
What year was the “Whiskey Excise Tax” introduced in the US?
1791
What conflict was a result of the Whiskey Excise Tax in the US
The Whiskey Rebellion
What was the ‘original’ brand of bourbon created by George Garvin Brown in 1870?
Forester (Old Forester)
When was Old Forester created and who was the creator?
George Garvin Brown in 1870
What US Senator created the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897
E.H. Taylor
What are the production requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?
- Must be made in the US
- Must be distilled at or below 80% abv
- Must be stored in charred, New American Oak at no more than 125 proof
- Must be bottled at a minimum of 40% abv
What is backset?
Acidic residue from the 1st distillation of Bourbon
What is Sour Mashing?
Backset is put back in the fermenter to use in the next batch of mash. Acidity in the backset helps to balance the alkaline nature of local water, which can interfere with the yeast.
Unique type of still sometimes used in the second distillation of bourbon
Doubler or Thumper
Bourbon that is bottled without any dilution
cask-strength or barrel-proof
Specific production requirements for ‘Kentucky Bourbon’
- Must be produced in Kentucky
2. Aged for a minimum of 1 year in Kentucky
Six types of American Whiskey that may be labeled as ‘Straight Whiskey’
- Straight Bourbon
- Straight Rye
- Straight Corn
- Straight Wheat
- Straight Malt
- Straight Rye Malt
Minimum aging requirement for American Straight Whiskeys
At least 2 years in charred, new oak barrels (with age statement); four years in charred, new oak barrels is required if no age statement on bottle.
Exception: for corn whiskey, barrels must be used or uncharred
Two standards that are specific to Tennessee Whiskey
- Must use the Lincoln County Process
2. Must be produced in Tennessee
What is the Tennessee House Bill 1084 and when was it passed?
A bill defining Tennessee whiskey; 2013
Tennessee distillery that is exempt from the charcoal filtration requirement
Benjamin Pritchard
What type of whiskey is Old Overholt and why is it notable?
American Rye whiskey; founded in 1810 and survived Prohibition, when rye largely disappeared
Required mash bill for American Rye Whiskey
minimum 51% rye
Required mash bill for American corn whiskey
minimum 80% corn
Requirements for American Whiskey to be “Bottled-in-Bond”
- Product of one distilling season
- Product of one distillery and one distiller
- Stored in a federally bonded warehouse under gov’t supervisionm for a minimum of 4 years
- Bottled at 100 proof
Define: American Light Whiskey
American whiskey distilled at a higher proof (160 to 190) and stored in used or uncharred containers
Define: American Spirit Whiskey
Neutral spirits combined with 5% to 20% whiskey
Terms used on the label for “white whiskey”
White dog, new-make, unaged whiskey, white lightning
Minimum required aging for Canadian whiskey
3 years in wood
What grain was traditionally used as a flavoring agent in almost all of Canadian whiskey?
Rye
What is another term used for Canadian Grain whiskey?
Base Whiskey
Define: Flavoring Whiskey
Canadian whiskey made with a high percentage of single grain
Allowed percentage of additives in Blended Canadian Whiskies
9.09%
Tagline for Nova Scotia’s Glenora Distillery
North America’s 1st single malt distillery
Explain the Lincoln County Process
- New-make spirit is filtered through a deep bed of sugar maple charcoal to remove some of the lighter congeners, creating a smooth texture and full, robust flavor
- bed of charcoal can be more than 10ft deep
- Takes 1-several weeks
What is the purpose of a doubler or thumper?
- Doubler: addition to a pot still that receives the low wines and drives them into a chamber with a heated liquid. An interaction concentrates the alcohol and refines unwanted congeners
- Thumper: type of doubler that receives vapors before they become low wines. Vapors are driven into a layer of hot water that is kept between the boiling point of alcohol and water. Vapor continues through water to become high wine and heavier alcohols (tails) are captured in water.
