Scotch Whisky regions Flashcards
when was the origins of regionality in scotch whisky
The wash act in 1784
What act in 1784 led to regionality amongst scotch whisky
The wash act of 1784
what line was created in 1784 by the wash act
The highland line
what points in Scotland did the highland line run between when it was created by the wash act of 1784
It ran from the first of Clyde on the western coast to the Firth of Tay on the east coast
by what century had Campbeltown been added as its own region
the late 19th century
By the late 19th century what new region of Scotland was referred to as the whisky capital
Campbeltown
When was Islay added as its own whisky region
Around the same time as Campbeltown by the late 19th century
During the 1890s what region overtook Campbeltown in terms of whisky production that was not yet defined as its own region
Speyside
What region wasn’t recognised until the whisky act 1988
Speyside
When was Speyside made its own region
In 1988 due to the whisky act 1988
what’s happened to regional individuality over time
its decreased as there has been more overlap between regions
What are the five official regions of scotch whisky and what is the potential sixth
Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay.
The potential sixth is the Islands although these are currently a subcategory of the highlands.
What were the highland distilleries allowed to do due to the wash act of 1784
They were allowed to work smaller stills with weaker washes at a slower rate
In 1979 how was the highland line shifted
An intermediate area was defined [between highland and lowland, and only lasting 2 years] which shifted the highland line so that it ran from Lochgilphead to Findhorn excluding the low ground of angus and Aberdeenshire
In 1979 where did the highland line run to and from and what areas did it exclude
It ran from Lochgilphead to Findhorn and excluded Angus and Aberdeenshire
What is ‘Glenlivet’ a good example of during the formations of regions particularly around the wash act of 1784
It shows how overtime connoisseurs of whisky recognised regionality and Glenlivet became a general term for whiskies from the region that is now referred to as Speyside
All of the northern highland distilleries (except two) are located along what?
The coast, the exceptions to that are Glen Ord and the newly founded Wolfburn [2013]
What are the general and typical characteristics of northern highland whiskies
Due to their close proximity to the coast many are influenced by that are slightly salty. they are also typically complex, medium bodied and sometimes faintly Smokey
Why do most northern highland single malts not benefit too much from full maturation in sherry wood and how is this tackled
They are mostly too delicate to age entirely in sherry wood so instead usually they are finished in sherry wood (If aged in sherry at all)
What technique commonly used by the northern highland distilleries was pioneered at Glenmorangie
Finishing the whiskies in sherry wood casks
When was the high point for the distilleries of the northern highlands
The late 18th century
what fraction of all of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries are in Speyside
2/3rds
how many operational and closed malt distilleries are in Speyside
49 Operational and five that have closed (their spirits still available, and one [Dallas Dhu] said to restart production)
What are some typically characteristics of speyside whiskies
generally sweet and estery and have notes of: parma violets, pear-drops, roses, apples, bananas , cream soda and lemonade.
What three broad bodies to Speyside whiskies fall under
Light, medium and full bodied
Prior to 1824 how many licensed distilleries were there is Speyside and which were they
2, they were Strathisla and Dalvey
Of 16 known farmer distillers [In Speyside] to take advantage of the excise act 1823 how many were successful and are still in operation and what are some of them
9 are still in operation. They are: Arbelour, Cardhu, Glenlivet, Longmorn, Macallan, Miltonduff, Mortlach, Glenburgie and Balmenach
What two main things encouraged development in Speyside in the late 1850s and in 1867
The laying down of a branch line of the great north of Scotland railway and the Speyside railway of Keith to Boat of Garten. (Railways encouraged development put simply)
What shape best describes the Speyside region? How large is it and how can you describe its location geographically?
Its a blunt wedge shape, it is around 50km wide, its apex is in the northern foothills of the Cairngorm mountains, its base the moray firth, its western boundary is the river Findhorn and its eastern boundary
What makes the region of Speyside suited to whisky in particular Laich O’Moray (‘The garden of Scotland’)
it has rich fertile soil, its got an equable climate and longer daylight hours in summer which make it perfect for growing barley. The upland moors that gird the laich also provide an ample supply of peat. Lastly the surrounding mountains made it a more inaccessible area which made it better for distilling
When was Dufftown founded
In 1817 by James Duff
How many distilleries does it have and how many were established before 1886
6, only 1 was established before 1886
When did the first distillery open in Keith
1786
