CHAPTER 4: WHISKIES Flashcards
Whisky/Whiskey
Where is whiskey produced?
Everywhere
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What is the four (4) point standard of Whisky? (recognized in international trade agreements)
- Spirit obtained from fermented mash of grain
- Distilled at less than 95% ABV
- Stored in oak barrels
- Bottled at no less than 40% ABV
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What is the only spirit that must be made exclusively from grain?
Whisky
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What generally determines the type and combination of grains used in whisky production?
The country or region in which the whiskey is produced.
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Who was first believed to produce Whisky?
It is believed to be Irish Celts
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What was the first evidence of whiskey production?
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, in the last decade of the 15th Century shows an order from the king for a monk to make malt into aqua vitae.
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What does uisgebeathe or uisgebaugh mean?
Water of Life
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Which countries use the spelling “Whisky”? (no E)
Scotland and Canada. US varies.
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What is the five (5) step production procedure for Whisky?
- Mash/Wort Preparation
- Fermentation
- Distillation
- Maturation
- Blending and Bottling
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What are the four (4) primary grains used in making whisky?
- Barley
- Corn
- Rye
- Wheat
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Which of the four primary grains is malted or sprouted? Why?
Barley, since it is the most prolific source of enzymes.
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Does a grain recipe require a substantial amount of barley to convert the other starches into fermentable sugars?
No, a small amount is required.
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What two (2) enzymes are released with a grain sprouts?
- Alpha Amylase
2. Beta Amylase
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What does Diatase do?
The enzyme breaks down the carbohydrates or starches into maltose.
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What is the role of Maltose?
It is the bi-molecular sugar produced from the diatase and carbohydrate or starch reaction. This sugar further breaks down into a simple sugar with can then be fermented by yeast.
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During which phase do the enzymes become active.,Malting or Mashing?
Mashing
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When barley is germinated (malted) what is it called?
Green malt
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What is done with Green Malt?
It is kilned to stop germination and conclude the Malting phase.
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How does kilning play a role in flavor profiles?
The time and temperature of the heating process caramelizes the sugars in the malted grain
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What is the next step for kilned or roasted malt?
It is screened and ground into grist.
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What is done with the Grist?
It is mixed with hot water and heated to 135-170 degrees F in a Mash Cooker (US term) or Mash Tun (EU term)
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What occurs in the Mash Cooker or Mash Tun?
The water dissolves the sugars and liquefies most of the remaining starches. Diastase completes the conversion process. Starch is converted to sugar.
Whisky/Whiskey
Why are the Diatase enzymes able to become active?
The heat
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What does Scotland and Ireland call “Mash” or “Wort”?
The sugary liquid that is “washed” from the malt. It is drained off.
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What does the US call “Cook” or “Mash”?
The sugary liquid and ground grain particulates, which are allowed to remain in the mixture. Described as a thick slurry.
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What are the necessary requirements for water used in Whisky production?
Iron-free
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What effects would iron in the water have on the finished Whiskey?
Instead of being golden-hued, a mature whisky would have a black-tinge to the color.
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How does the presence or absence of calcium, magnesium, or phosphates effect the water quality in Whisky?
They determine the hardness or softness of the water, which has a sensory impact on the finished product.
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How does Scottish Whisky benefit from mountain stream water?
It is soft water that is best for steeping barley.
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How does Central US distilleries benefit from their local water?
Due to dissolved limestone and minerals, the water is hard and provides nutrients for the fermenting yeast.
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Two (2) methods for treating water:
- Reverse Osmosis
2. Activated Carbon Filtration
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Why should chlorine NOT be in distillation water?
It can kill off enzymatic reactions.
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Define Washback
In Scotland, vessels made from wood or stainless steel, where Whisky fermentation takes place.
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True or False:
Fermentation of US Whisky takes place in open top fermentors up to 20,000 gallons in size.
TRUE
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How long does Whisky fermentation take?
40-72 hours
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What is the finished ABV during Whisky fermentation? and what is this product referred to?
8-14% ABV, called “beer” or “wash”
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How does beer and whiskey differ during the Malting and Fermenation phases?
Hops are NOT used in whiskies, otherwise it is the same.
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What type of still is used for Whisky?
Either the Pot Still or the Column Still. For lighter elements the column still is used.
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Define: Low Wine
The distillate product from the first pot still batch.
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Define: Wash Still
The first Pot Still in Whisky distillation
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Define: Spirit Still
The second Pot Still in Whisky distillation
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Define: High Wines
The distillate product from the second pot still batch in Whisky production. The same as New Make Spirits.
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Define: New Make Spirit
The distillate product from the second pot still batch in Whisky production. The same as High Wines.
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What is done with the foreshots or feints?
They are selectively returned to the next distillation cycle for further refinement.
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How is the heart preserved in Whisky production?
The spirit flows through a Spirit Safe when it is sampled, alcohol strength is measured and classified.
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What proof is the New Make Spirit or High Wine reduced to prior to barrel aging in Whisky production?
125 proof
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What two (2) general parameters influence the finished Whisky, apart from length of aging:
- Type of Barrel used
2. Storage conditions during maturation
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What are the five (5) barrel parameters for Whisky?
- Type of oak: American or EU
- Method and drying time of oak
- How much toasting and or charring the barrels recieve
- New or Used
- If used; what liquid did it store previously
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What are the four (4) Physical Storage conditions that impact Whisky aging?
- What materials the warehouse is built with and the presence of windows
- Whether the warehouse is heated or naturally ventilated
- Single or multi-level buidling?
- Are barrels stacked or stored in a single layer?
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What is the largest influence on length of Whisky maturation in barrels?
Geographic location
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Which whiskeys require longer barrel aging, Northern European or Southern US?
Northern European
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List four (4) key reasons that the length of aging for Whisky barrels is greater in the EU:
- The climate is cooler
- Warehouses are generally single story, evening out external temperature variations
- Cool, damp environment with barrels closely stacked
- Barrels are used with saturated pores
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List four (4) key reasons that the length of aging for Whisky barrels is less in Kentucky or Tennesse than in the EU:
- The climate is warmer
- Warehouses or Rackhouses are 7-9 stories, with wide temperature fluctuations
- Barrels are NOT stacked, so there is more air circulation
- Barrels are new American oak, with very little pore saturation.
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What is the common practice for blending and bottling of whisky in the US?
Groups of barrels are disgorged into large vats and purified water is added to bring the ABV to 40%
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Name two exceptions to the standard blending technique for US Whisky:
- Single-barrel bottling
2. Cask-strength or Barrel Proof bottling
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Whisky:
Explain Single Barrel Bottling:
A selected single barrel is diluted to 40% ABV or higher and them bottled without being combined with other barrels.
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Whisky:
Explain Cask-Strength or Barrel Proof Bottling
NO water is added prior to bottling. This generally occurs in places where the alcoholic strength has already been reduced over the maturation process.
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What is Scottish Whisky called?
Scotch. It is a protected name.
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What are the laws of Scotch production?
Made from malted barley and be aged in Scotland for a minim of three years in barrel. Products must be at least 4 years old to enter the US.
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What is unique to the kilning process of Scotch?
Kilns are heated with PEAT.
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What is peat?
A compact, vegetative form of carbon or compressed biodegrading organic matter.
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What flavor does peat impart?
Smoky, slightly medicinal flavor