Chapter 5: American Whiskeys

Question 1

Year the “Whiskey Excise Tax” was introduced in the US

Answer 1

1791

Question 2

What conflict was a result of the Whiskey Excise Tax in the US?

Answer 2

The Whiskey Rebellion

Question 3

What was the “original” brand of bottled Bourbon created by George Garvin Brown (1870)?

Answer 3

Forester (Old Forester)

Question 4

What US Senator created the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897?

Answer 4

E.H. Taylor

Question 5

What are the production requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?

Answer 5

• Made in the United States * Min. 51% corn * Distilled at a max. of 160 proof * Stored at no more than 125 proof in charred, new oak barrels * Bottled at a min. of 40% abv

Question 6

What production technique (often used in the production of Bourbon) uses ‘backset’?

Answer 6

Sour mashing

Question 7

Unique type of still sometimes used in the second distillation of Bourbon

Answer 7

Doubler or Thumper

Question 8

Bourbon that is bottled without any dilution

Answer 8

Barrel proof (barrel strength)

Question 9

Specific production requirements for “Kentucky Bourbon”

Answer 9

Must be produced in Kentucky and aged for a minimum of one year in Kentucky

Question 10

Six specific types of American whiskey that may be labeled as “Straight Whiskey”

Answer 10

• Bourbon * Malt * Wheat * Corn * Rye * Rye Malt

Question 11

Minimum aging required for American Straight Whiskeys

Answer 11

Two years in new, charred oak barrels (requires an age statement); Four years in new, charred oak barrels (no age statement required) * ‘Exception for corn whiskey’: barrels must be used or uncharred

Question 12

Two standards that are specific to Tennessee Whiskey

Answer 12

• Must be produced in the state of Tennessee, must be produced using a charcoal filtering technique known as the Lincoln County Process

Question 13

What year was Tennessee House Bill 1084 (defining Tennessee whiskey) passed?

Answer 13

2013

Question 14

Tennessee distillery that is exempt from the charcoal filtration requirement

Answer 14

Benjamin Prichard’s Distillery

Question 15

What type of whiskey is Old Overholt?

Answer 15

American Rye Whiskey

Question 16

What is the required mash bill for American Rye Whiskey?

Answer 16

Minimum 51% rye

Question 17

What is the required mash bill for American corn whiskey?

Answer 17

Min. 80% corn

Question 18

Requirements for American whiskey to be “Bottled in Bond”

Answer 18

• Product of one distillation season * Aged in a federally bonded warehouse for a min. of 4 years * Bottled at 100 proof * No additives (besides water)

Question 19

American Light Whiskey

Answer 19

• Distilled between 160 and 190 proof * Stored in oak containers (barrels must be used or uncharred if new)

Question 20

American Spirit Whiskey

Answer 20

Neutral spirits combined with 5% to 20% whiskey

Question 21

Term used on the label for “white whiskey”

Answer 21

White dog, new-make, unaged whiskey, various proprietary names

Question 22

What is the minimum required aging for Canadian whisky?

Answer 22

3 years in wood

Question 23

What grain was (traditionally) used as a flavoring agent in almost all Canadian whisky?

Answer 23

Rye

Question 24

What is another term used for Canadian Grain Whisky?

Answer 24

Base whisky

Question 25

Canadian whiskies made with a high percentage of a single grain are sometimes used as…

Answer 25

Flavoring whiskies

Question 26

Allowed percentage of additives in Blended Canadian Whiskies

Answer 26

9.09% (1/11)

Question 27

Tagline for Nova Scotia’s Glenora Distillery

Answer 27

“North America’s first single malt distillery”