Distilling knowledge North American Whiskey Flashcards
Name two events that closed down American whiskey production
Temperance act 1914- Tennessee and Bourbon were dry
1920 Volstead act closed for 13 years
1920-1945 World War 2
What is the max distillation for Bourbon?
80% abv
What is the stated max abv in charred new oak?
62.5%
What is the min bottling abv of Bourbon, Straight Whiskey?
40%abv can be a mix of different ages
What are the age requirements on a Bourbon label?
Only mandatory when the youngest spirit in the blend in less than four years old. All age statements are determined by the age of the youngest spirit in the blend
What are the 5 types of whiskey that can use the the term ‘straight’?
Bourbon Rye Wheat Malt Rye malt Corn
What color and flavoring can be added to Straight Whiskey?
NONE
What does rye add to Bourbon?
Give it its attack, Rye is aromatic, lemon-accented and slightly dusty
How does the percentage of small grains in a mash bill contribute to the style of a bourbon?
Makers uses only wheat to produce a softer style
Woodford uses rye which gives it a punch
When is malted barley added to bourbon?
Once the first small grain has been cooked and the temperature is dropped to less than 65C
Can distillers add cultured enzymes to bourbon?
YES
What is the sugar solution referred to in bourbon?
The mash
Where does fermentation take place and how long does it last
Either in stainless steel or wood vessels and lasts 3 days
What is the backset?
the acidic liquid residue left at the foot of the beer still
Why is backset added?
This changes the pH of the mash making it slightly more acidic. This helps yeast propagation, lowers the risk of bacterial infection and evens out the character between batches
What is it called when backset is added to the cooker?
Sour mashing
How much of the fermenter does backset makeup for most distillers?
20-30%
How do American distillers differ from Scottish distillers in regards to yeast
They culture their own yeast in order to produce specific congeners. Some use only one strain while others use many. If multiple are used each strain is typically paired with a particular mash bill to form a completed recipe
How is bourbon typically distilled
Double distilled
First distillation takes place in a single column called a beer still
Second takes place in a type of pot still known as a doubler or a thumper
What is the exception to typical bourbon distillation?
Labrot and Graham where the bourbon is triple distilled in pot stills
What is they key of a Doubler?
This is a simple pot still but the key is to further refine the congeners. The low-wines coming off the beer still are condensed and the liquid is pumped continuously into the doubler
How does a Thumper differ from a doubler
It does essentially the same thing however the vapors that come off the beer still are not condensed they are passed directly into the thumper. The heat of the vapors powers the distillation.
Why must bourbon enter the barrels at no more than 62.5%?
Practical as ABV rises during maturation in KY due to the hot dry conditions
Describe a typical bourbon barrel
American oak 200L high char (in effect a layer of charcoal) adds flavors of vanilla, coconut, pine and sweet spices
What role does Kentucky’s climate play on whisky?
High temperatures cause the whisky to expand and take on more wood flavors. To avoid too woody a flavor whisky is not generally aged as long as Scotch
What is the legal definition of tennessee whiskey?
Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced in the state of Tennessee
What is the Lincoln County process?
Slowly filtering the white dog through a 3 meter deep bed of sugar-maple charcoal before it is put into barrels for ageing
What is the focus of Canadian distillers?
Blending
What grain makes up the production of nearly all base Canadian whiskey
Corn; wheat is only sometimes used
What is the most important grain in flavoring Canadian whiskey?
Rye
How are grains processed in Canadian whiskey?
They are processed separately and come together in the blending stage
What is one unique aspect of Canadian law regarding whisky?
9.09% of the blend can come from a non-whiskey source
Some use Sherry
Some use two year old rye
Why do Canadian Club and Crown Royal have a soft character?
Due to the high percentage of corn-base whiskies used
