Spirits Flashcards
What temperature does ethyl alcohol boil?
78*C
What is the minimum alcohol for vodka in the EU?
37.5%
What is the tradition base for Korean soju & Japanese Shochu?
Sake, now made from a variety of grains & potatoes
What is awamori?
Okinawan style of shochu, always distilled from rice
Describe the style of London Dry Gin
In addition to juniper berries, it generally contains a noticeable citrus and spice element
E.g. Beefeater, Tanqueray
Describe Genever
Today produced in a pot still, sweeter and less alcoholic than London Dry Gin
Juniper and malt are dominate aromatics
Describe Plymouth Gin
Fuller bodied than London Dry Gin and very aromatic
What is Old Tom Gin?
A lightly sweetened gin, rarely encountered today
What is the minimum percentage of corn in Bourbon?
51%
What is “Straight” Bourbon?
Whiskey aged for at least 2 years, without any added colouring or flavouring
Less than 4 years ageing, the distiller must also state the length of ageing in the bottle
Where can Bourbon be produced?
Anywhere in the USA, though Kentucky produces 95% of it
What is “Tennesse Whiskey”?
As of 2013 legislation it must be from Tennessee
Made from minimum 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels
Must be filtered through maple charcoal prior to ageing
It is a sour mash whiskey
What is Rye Whiskey?
Minimum 51% Rye, aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years
Producers included Sazerac and Rittenhouse
Describe”Corn Whiskey”?
Produced from min. 8-% corn. May be unaged or aged in used or uncharred new barrels
Name the 5 legal categories of Scotch
Single Malt Single Grain Blended Malt Blended Grain Blended
What are the minimum requirements for all Scotch Whisky?
Must be produced in Scotland
Distilled twice (or more)
Aged at least 3 years
Must be at least 40% alcohol
Name the 6 regions of Scotch Whiskey Production?
Highland Lowland Speyside Islay Campbeltown
Name the 5 islands of Highland
Skye Jura Mull Arran Orkney
Which island is Highland Park located?
Orkney
Which island is Talisker located?
Skye
Name the 3 iconic Irish Whiskey distilleriers
Old Bushmills
Cooley
New Midleton - producer of Jameson
How is Irish Whiskey produced?
Traditionally triple distilled in a pot still
Today many are produced in a continuous still
Must be aged minimum 3 years before release. Most are at least 7 years
Name Japan’s most famous whiskey producer?
Suntory, offering blended and single malt whiskies
Describe Canadian Whiskey?
Generally rye whiskey are blended and must be aged 3 years before sale
No legal requirements to contain higher portions of rye, though most do anyway
Glenora Distillers on Cape Brenton Island of Nova Scotia distills malt whiskey in the Scotish style
What is the EU minimum alcohol and oak ageing for brandy?
36% and 6 months
*May be produced across the world’s viticultural regions
Name the 6 areas of Cognac production
Grande Champagne Petite Champagne Borderies Fin Bois Bon Bois Bois Ordinaires (Bois a Terroirs)
What does “Champagne” indicate in Cognac?
Similar soil to Champagne, high chalk content in Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne
Other areas have hard limestone, sand & clay