Chapter 5: European Whiskeys Flashcards
Minimum required aging for Scotch Whisky
Three years in oak casks (in Scotland)
Five categories of Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt * Single Grain * Blended Malt * Blended Grain * Blended Scotch
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Single Malt Scotch
- 100% malted barley * Pot still distillation * Produced at a single distillery
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Single Grain Scotch
- Malted barley + other grains * Any method of distillation * Produced at a single distillery
Definition of Blended Malt Scotch
A blend of two or more Single Malt Scotches produced at more than one distillery
Definition of Blended Single Grain Scotch
A blend of two or more Single Grain Scotches produced at more than one distillery
Definition of Blended Scotch Whisky
A blend of one or more Single Malt Scotches and one or more Single Grain Scotches (from more than one distillery)
Regulations regarding enzyme use (in grain preparation) for Scotch Whisky
Must be accomplished only by endogenous enzyme systems, meaning no added enzymes are allowed
Compact vegetation (rich in carbon) often used as a heat source for kilning (in Scotland)
Peat
Typical aromas derived from the use of peat
Seaweed, tar, smoke, medicinal (“Peat Reek”)
Traditional malting process (involving rakes or shovels) practiced by a few Scotch distilleries
Floor Malting
Cupola-shaped ventilator hood often seen atop Scotch distilleries
Doig Ventilator
Five recognized regions (geographical indications) for Scotch Whisky
- The Highlands * The Lowlands * Speyside * Islay * Campbeltown
The term Speyside G.I. is (technically) a subregion of ____
The Highlands
Location (G.I.) of the Dalmore, Glenmorangie, and Dalwhinnie Distilleries
The Highlands
Location (G.I.) of the Bladnoch, Cameronbridge, and Glenkinche Distilleries
The Lowlands
Location (G.I.) of the Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Glenlivet Distilleries
Speyside
Location (G.I.) of the Springbank Distillery
Campbeltown
Location (G.I.) of the Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig Distilleries
Islay
5 islands included the Highlands G.I.
Mull, Jura, Skye, Lewis, Orkney (+ Raasay and several others not mentioned in the S.G.)
The use of a specific type of barrel in the final stages of aging in order to enhance certain flavors
Wood finishing
Amount of spirit in each cask lost to the “angel’s share” each year (according to the SWA)
2%
Two sets of laws that define Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, Technical Standards of 2015
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Malt Whiskey
- 100% malted barley * Pot still distillation
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Grain Whiskey
- Maximum of 30% malted barley * Continuous distillation is required
Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Pot Still Whiskey
- Mash bill: Minimum 30% malted barley + minimum 30% unmalted barley, up to 5% grains other than barley * Batch distilled in pot stills
Definition of Blended Irish Whiskey
- Two or more different types of Irish Whiskey; allowed (but not required) to contain whiskey from more than one distillery
Source of the “leathery” aromas in some Irish Whiskeys
Unmalted barley
Unique style of Irish Whiskey produced by the Cooley Distillery’s Connemara Brand
Peated (Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey)
The truth about Irish whiskey and triple-distillation
Irish whiskey is ‘traditionally’ distilled three times, but this is not required by law
Traditional Irish grain-based spirit drink, awarded a PGI in 2008
Irish Poitín PGI
