Scotch Malt Whisky

Question 1

What is Scotch Malt Whisky made of?

Answer 1

It is made exclusively of barley. Distillers will use the grain with the highest starch content and lowest nitrogen content.

Question 2

What percentage of the barley used in Scotch Malt comes from Scotland?

Answer 2

88%

Question 3

Briefly explain the malting process

Answer 3

The barley is alternatively immersed and steeped in water, it is then allowed to dry out. This is repeated over 2 to 3 days which kick starts the germination process.

Question 4

What is barley called after the malting process?

Answer 4

Green malt.

Question 5

What does green malt produce and how is it counteracted?

Answer 5

As the malt grows it produces heat. The grain in constantly turned whilst cool air is blown across the surface to stop it drying out. The air can also be humidified. The turning also stops the barley roots from becoming tangled.

Question 6

When will the malting process be stopped and how?

Answer 6

When all the starch has been modified to make it water soluable. It will be stopped by kiln drying the grains.

Question 7

At what point can peat flavours be introduced to a Malt Whisky?

Answer 7

When the grains are dried in a kiln after malting. The kiln can be fuelled with peat which gives of a highly perfumed smoke. However it is not an efficient fuel.

Question 8

Where do distilleries get their malt?

Answer 8

Almost all distilleries buy their malt from a commercial malting.

Question 9

What is the name of the course flour that is produced by milling the green malt?

Answer 9

Grist

Question 10

What is the name of the vessel that the grist is mixed with hot water in?

Answer 10

Mash tun

Question 11

Where do distillers get the water used to cook the grist?

Answer 11

It can be from local springs, lochs or regular supply. It’s effect of the final flavour is negligible.

Question 12

When all the starch in the grist has been turned to sugar what is it called?

Answer 12

Wart. The mash tun will be washed out 3 times to retrieve all the wart.

Question 13

There are 3 batches of wart collected from the mash tun, what happens to them?

Answer 13

The first 2 are pumped in to a fermented known as a washback. The remaining portion will be added to the next mash.

Question 14

How important is yeast in the production of Malt Whisky?

Answer 14

Not very important. Producers do not hold their own unique strain as a rule.

Question 15

How long does fermentation take in the production of Malt Whisky and what is the resulting liquid called?

Answer 15

Fermentation takes 48 hours an the resulting liquid is of 7 to 10% abv and is known as a wash. The wash may be held for several days to develop extra congeners.

Question 16

What method of distillation is more popular in the production of Malt Whisky?

Answer 16

They are nearly all double distilled in copper pot stills. Some are triple distilled.

Question 17

What is the name of the still used for the 1st distillation of Malt Whisky and what is the result?

Answer 17

It is called a wash still and results in a low-wine of 21 to 28%.

Question 18

What is the name of the still used for the 2nd distillation of Malt Whisky and what is the result?

Answer 18

It is called a spirit still and the resulting liquid is separated in to 3 parts

• foreshots
• hearts
• feints

Question 19

What are the two main factors that contribute to the style of a Malt Whisky during its second distillation?

Answer 19

Still design and cut point.

Question 20

What regulations are there regarding the maturation of Malt Whisky?

Answer 20

Must be aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels no larger than 700 litres.

Question 21

Where does the Malt Whisky industry get its barrels from?

Answer 21

Two sources:

Bourbon industry - impart vanilla, coconut, pine, cherry and spice

Sherry industry - impart dried fruit, Christmas cae, clove, resin and orange peel.

Question 22

What is wood finishing?

Answer 22

It is the placing aged whisky in to barrels from a different source for a relatively short time prior to bottling.

Popular sources include port, madeira, sherry, red wine, sweet white wine.

Question 23

What are the final finishing steps prior to bottling when producing a Malt Whisky?

Answer 23

The are blended to conform to the house style. Most will be reduced with water, chill filtered and, if necessary, be colour adjusted with caramel.

Question 24

How many whisky producing regions are there in Scotland?

Answer 24

There are 5:

Islay
Highland
Speyside
Lowland
Campbeltown

Question 25

What are the associated features of an Islay whisky?

Answer 25

Associated with peat flavours. Classic examples are Ardbeg, Laphroig & Lagavulin.

Question 26

What are the associated features of an Highland whisky?

Answer 26

No associated style. Produced Highland Park (peaty), Dalmore (heavy) and Glenmorangie (light & citric)

Question 27

What are the associated features of an Speyside whisky?

Answer 27

Broadly associated with two styles typified by Glenfiddich and The Glenlivet (light) in comparison to Balvenie and The Macallen (rich & fruity)

Question 28

What are the associated features of an Lowland whisky?

Answer 28

Associated with lighter styles. There are only 3 operating distilleries left Auchentoshen, Glenkinchie and Bladnoch.

Question 29

What are the associated features of an Cambeltown whisky?

Answer 29

Associated with a rich & heavy style. Only 3 operating distilleries left here Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle.