Scotch Regions Flashcards
What legislation drew a notional line called the “Highland Line”
the Wash Act of 1784
Where did Wash Act of 1784 draw the higland line from west to east?
Firth of Clyde on the West to the Firth of Tay on the East
What region did the blenders add to the notion of whisky regions in the late 19th century?
Campbeltown
What regions did the blenders add to the notion of whisky regions in the late 19th century?
Campbeltown and Islay
What was the “whisky capital” of the late 19th c?
Campbeltown
What legislation legally recognized Speyside as a region?
Whiksy Act of 1988
During the 1890’s the ____ region took over from ____ as the leading production district
Speyside
Campbeltown
The Glenlivet parish is located in what area of Scotland that is now a national park?
Cairngorm mountains
Describe the typical Highland whisky flavor profile
Higher quality, more complex
Describe the typical flavor profile of North Highland whiskys
complex
mediium-bodied
sometimes smoky or salty
Do north highland whikys frequently use sherrywood for maturation? For finishing?
No, the northern malts are too delicate to benefit from full maturation in sherry-wood, but they do use it for finishing often for the last year or so.
What city is the capital of the Highlands?
Inverness
When was the high point for distilling in Northern Scotland?
Late 18th c
What region is recognized as the heartland of whisky production in modern times?
Speyside
Describe the flavor profile of Speyside malt whiskys
Generally sweet
high estery notes (pear, acetone, fruit)
most complex and sophisticated
usually unpeated
some smoke from barley
What are the three broad styles of Speyside whiskys? Which favors maturation in European oak?
light, medium and full bodied
Full bodied favors European oak
How many distillers in Speyside took advantage of the 1824 Excised Act and how many of those are in operation today
16 known distilleries
9 are known today: Aberlour, Cardhu, The Glenlivet, Longorm, Macallan, Miltonduff, Mortlach, Glenburgie, Balmenach
What are the boundaries of the wedge-shaped Speyside region? How large is it?
apex: in Cairngorm Mountains
base: Moray Firth
west: River Findhorn
east: River Deveron
32km (17mi) deep by 50km (27mi) wide
What river bisects the Speyside region? How many distilleries draw water from it?
the River Spey
no distilleries draw from it
What is the fastest running river in Scotland?
the River Spey
What 3 reasons did the Speyside region rise to such prominence and success?
- rich and fertile soils that run deep in the alluvial plane and northern enough that there are long hours of daylight in the summer months. Perfect barley growing.
- upland moors provided peat supply
- Mountains on the southern border provided protection for illicit distillers
Describe the geology of the Glenliver region.
Many deposits of limestone under each field which increases the water alkalinity and hardness
How many distilleries use the “glen” suffix in their name?
~25
What are 7 subregions of Speyside?
Glenlivet
Strathspey
Dufftown
Keith
Rothes
Elgin
Banff
What speyside burgh is recognized as the whisky capital of today?
The Royal Burgh of Elgin
What subregions comprise the Central Highlands?
Perthshire. part of Dumbartonshire and Stirlingshire (south), and part of Inverness-shire (north(
What is the largest river in Scotland? What whisky region is it located in?
the River Tay
Central Highlands