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
Describe the flavor profile of Central Highland whiskys
light bodied
sweeter (compared to other highlands besides speysides)
fragrant, floral, honey, spice
drier finish (like highlands)
What is the “Blending capital” of Scotland? Why?
Perth
On the River Tay it has easy access to the highlands for fillings and easy access to the lowland markets.
Who are/were the major blending houses located in Perth?
Dewar’s, Bells, and Gloag’s
Today whisky distilleries are second only to what as favorite tourist attractions?
castles
What counties are embraced in the Eastern Highlands?
Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire
Describe the flavor profiles of Eastern Highland malts
medium - full bodied
smooth
sweetish
recognizable dry highland finish
malty
slightly smoky
Do east highland malts benefit from maturation in sherry-wood?
Yes
Why weren’t there many large scale distilleries in the remote western highlands?
- policing was difficult and uncommon
- small barley crops (high rainfall & low fertility) and and would need to import fuel
The two surviving distilleries on the west coast today are located where?
rail-heads
Who founded Campbeltown in 1609?
Archibald Campbell, Seventh Early of Argyll
Campbeltown is located on the southern tip of what peninsula?
Kintyre
What two reasons was Campbeltown well-suited for whisky production?
- They were far from government and policing
- They had abundant supplies of peat and barley
When was Campbeltown at its peak?
Early to mid 19th c.
During the latter decades of the 19th c blenders favored the lighter more fragrant malts of ____ over the heavier product of ____.
Speyside
Campbeltown
Which whisky region enjoyed a high reputation among bootleggers during Prohibition?
Campbeltown
What might have contributed to Campbeltown’s demise?
The increase in demand from the US during and around the time of Prohibition.
Describe the flavor profile of Campbeltown malts
TRICKY/Differs
strength and body of islays
most manly of whiskys
Describe the flavor of Island malts
noticeably peaty (but less than Islay)
peppery finish
What Island is slightly different than the others in its flavor profile? What are its notes?
The Isle of Arran (between Ayrshire and Kintyre).
It’s sweeter and more floral than the other islands.
When was the earliest records reference to distilling in the Islands?
the Statues of Iona in 1609 which allowed islanders to distill, but not import aqua vitae
What liqueur is based off a secret recipe given to Captain John Mackinnon of Elgol by Bonnie Prince Charlie?
Drambuie
What islands have 1-2 distilleries?
1 each: Jura, Mull, Harris, Lewis and Raasy
2 each: Orkney, Skye, Arran
Generally it is difficult to grow barley on the islands with the exception of which three islands?
Lewis, Tiree, and Orkney
Which region is most likely the cradle of distilling in Scotland?
Islay
How far is Islay from the Irish mainland?
20 km / 11 mi
What family(s) allegedly brought distilling to Scotland in the 1300?
MacBeatha or MacVey were distillers arrived on Kintyre in 1300 with the train of people for an irish princess to marry Angus Og MacDonald, Lord of Islay.
How large is the island of Islay?
40km (21.6 mi) long from E to W and 32 km (17.3 mi) broad.
What two lochs divide Islay from northwest and southeast sub regions?
Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinard
What is the most fertile of the Western Isles?
Islay
The island of Islay enjoys a higher than average amount of ____.
Sunshine
What portion of Islay’s surface is peat?
1/4 of it
What are the two principal villages on Islay?
Bowmore (est. 1760s) and Port Ellen (est. 1824)
Daniel Campbell of Shawfield bought Islay in 1727 for how much?
9000 lbs
Describe the flavor profile of Islay malts
smokiness (peatiness)
Where do Islay distilleries buy their malt
Port Ellen Maltings
What parish and 4 distilleries in it are home to the smokiest malts?
Kidalton Parish
Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Port Ellen
The Highlands of Scotland finish suddenly north of the ____ Plain and west of the rich farmland of ____.
Stirling
Aberdeenshire
What region is/was the cradle of Scottish Industry?
The Central Lowlands
Which region often used mixed mashes of grains other than malted barley?
The Lowlands
Describe the flavor profile of Lowland malts
light in color and weight
dry finish
low aromatics
grassy, green, herbal
grainy and floral notes
usually unpeated malt
What kind of flavor can lowland malts impart on blends?
brandy-like flavors?
