Scotch Whisky

Question 1

What are the standards to be considered scotch whisky?

Answer 1

• Must be produced from a mixture of water, malted barley, and other whole cereal grains
• Must be distilled at no more than 94.8% abv
• Fermentation and distillation must occur at the same facility
• Prepatation of the grain for use must take place at the distillery and ‘only by endogenous enzyme systems’
• Water and caramel coloring are the only allowed additives
• All scotch whisky must be aged in oak cask in Scotland, at a licensee’s excise warehouse, for a minimum of 3 years.
• Oak cast must have maximum capacity of 700L/185 gallons

Question 2

List the 5 categories of Scotch Whisky

Answer 2

• Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Single Grain Scotch Whisky
• Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
• Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
• Blended Scotch Whisky

Question 3

What are the top 10 selling Scotch Whisky brands globally

Answer 3

• Johnnie Walker
• Ballantine’s
• Chivas Regal
• Grant’s
• William Lawson’s
• Dewars
• J&B
• Black and White
• Label 5
• Bell’s

Question 4

Describe floor malting

Answer 4

The grains are soaked with water and spread out over a smooth floor, typically store of cement, and allowed to germinate for four to seven days.

During this time the grains are turned over with shovels every 8 hours(ish) to release the built-up hear and carbon dioxide. Once the proper level of sugar and enzymes is achieved, it is moved into the kiln to stop the malting process

Question 5

What is peat?

Answer 5

It is a compacted, vegetative form of carbon

Question 6

How does peat add flavor?

Answer 6

The kilns are sometimes heated with peat, and the smoke from the peat comes into contact with the grain through the peat box.

Question 7

What is the traditional still used for scotch whisky?

Answer 7

Copper pot stills

Question 8

Scotch Grain Whisky is generally aged in what type of barrels?

Answer 8

New American Oak

Question 9

What are the 5 geographical indications that can be used for scotch whisky?

Answer 9

• Highlands
• Lowlands
• Speyside
• Islay
• Campbeltown

Question 10

What are the different parts of the Highlands?

Answer 10

• Northern Highlands
• Western Highlands
• Eastern Highlands
• Central Highlands

Question 11

What are the names of the Islands that surround Scotland?

Answer 11

• Isle of Skye
• Isle of Mull
• Isle of Jura
• Isle of Arran