Other Whiskies

Question 1

Which distillery dominates Irish Whisky currently?

Answer 1

Middleton. It produces Jameson, powers, Redbreast and Greenspot.

Question 2

What are the 3 keys grains commonly used in Irish Whisky production?

Answer 2

Malted Barley, unmalted barley and maize (corn).

Question 3

Some of the Irish Whisky regulations apper very similar to Scotch (e.g Max distillation abv of 94.8%, Max size 700l wooden vessel etc…). Name one way in which they differ.

Answer 3

Exongenous enzmes are permitted in Irish Whisky.

Question 4

Triple pot still distillation is closely associated with Irish Whisky, is it mandated in any of the regulations?

Answer 4

No. Pot and column is accepted. Even in the Irish Pot Still Whiskey regulations, double distillation is allowed.

Question 5

In terms of the style of spirit produced, what is the effect of triple distillation?

Answer 5

Typically, it produces a more highly rectified spirit with a higher abv and lighter taste profile.

Question 6

In Irish Pot Still Whiskey, what is the minimum percentage of unmalted barley required?

Answer 6

30%

Question 7

In Irish Malt Whiskey, what is the minimum percentage of unmalted Barley required?

Answer 7

0%. Irish Malt Whisley must be made with 100% malted barley. It may be peated or unpeated.

Question 8

What is Blended Irish Whiskey?

Answer 8

A whisky that is a blend of two or more of three other Irish Whisky types. I.e. Irish Pot Still, Irish Malt or Irish Grain Whisky.

Question 9

What is the name given to the 2nd still in the Triple distillation system?

Answer 9

The Feints Still.

Question 10

What abv spirit is typically produced from the Spirit still in Triple distillation?

Answer 10

84%

Question 11

In triple distillation, are the weak feints from the Feints Still redistilled with the low wines in the Wash Still?

Answer 11

No, they are recycled back into the next run of the Feints Still.

Question 12

Broadly speaking, Canadian whisky is split into two blending types…what are they?

Answer 12

Base whisky and blending whisky.

Question 13

Of all the grains used in Canadian whisky, which is the one most associated with the flavour profile of a typical Canadian Whisky?

Answer 13

Rye

Question 14

Under Canadian law, Whisky must be matured for a minimum of how many years in wood barrels of what maximum size?

Answer 14

3 years in barrels no larger than 700L?

Question 15

Canadian Whisky permits the use of other spirits or wines as flavourings in Whisky. For export purposes, what is the maximum permitted percentage of flavourings than can be added?

Answer 15

9.09% of the spirit

Question 16

Japanese Whisky is subject to the same regulations under law as the Scotch Whisky industry, True or False?

Answer 16

False, whilst the Japanese industry closely follows Scotland, Japanese law contains very little detail in its definition.

Question 17

In Japanese law, what is the maximum permitted distillation abv for whisky?

Answer 17

Must be less than 95%

Question 18

What aromatic characteristics are typically associated with the use of Mizunara oak barrels?

Answer 18

They are often described as sandalwood, incense and cedar.

Question 19

Japanese distilleries do not trade stock between themselves. How do distilleries create diversity for blending purposes?

Answer 19

Each distillery creates several different styles often using a variety of different still types.

Question 20

What are typical descriptors used to describe whiskey made with unmalted barley?

Answer 20

Nutty and Oily

Question 21

What is Irish Grain Whiskey?

Answer 21

Whiskey made in a column still from unmalted grains with malted barley (maximum 30%)

Question 22

What is Pot Still Irish Whiskey?

Answer 22

Whiskey made from a mash that includes a minimum of 30% unpeated, malted barley, a minimum of 30% unmalted barley and other unmalted grains.