Whiskey/Whisky Flashcards
Definition of Whiskey.
6 examples of grains used.
Distilled product of fermented grains, including unmalted and malted barley, maize, rye, oats, and wheat.
What does “Whiskey” mean?
Derived from the Gaelic uisgebeatha “water of life”
When was the first written proof of whisky production?
1494 in Scotland
What did whiskey have to do with America’s first test of federal power?
When?
1791 excise tax on whiskey led the infant nation to its first major test of federalist power and the
- tax was on production, not the sale, of whiskey. Many refused to pay, particularly on the western front. Whiskey Boys harassed taxmen, and protest led to violence and to insurrection.
- Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 led by George Washington’s invocation of martial law; raised 10,000 men to suppress the whisky protestors; confrontation never happened and tax as repealed anyway.
What was an unintended consequence of the Whiskey Rebellion?
Small whiskey producers moved further out of the reach of the federal government and into Native American territory. In areas of Indiana and Kentucky, proper water for whiskey production was found.
Who distilled Kentucky’s first whiskey and when?
What was the style called?
Rev. Elijah Craig distilled Kentucky’s first whiskey in 1789.
—style pioneered by Craig became known as Bourbon Whiskey
What is the distillation requirement for Bourbon? (4)
—must be distilled from a minimum 51% corn.
—charred new oak casks.
—If aged for at least two years and made without any added coloring or flavoring, it may be labeled as “straight” Bourbon.
—If aged for less than four years, the distiller must also state the length of aging on the bottle.
Where is 95% of all bourbon produced?
Name two producers outside of the 95%
Although Bourbon County is located in Kentucky and over 95% of Bourbon Whiskey is produced in the state, it may legally be produced anywhere in the US.
One style of Bourbon, made famous by Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel, is actually produced in Tennessee.
What is wheated bourbon?
This is a term that is used to describe Bourbon that has a large proportion of wheat in the mash bill.
How are Tennessee bourbon requirements different from standard bourbon requirements?
Tennessee whiskey must be filtered with maple charcoal prior to aging and manufactured in the state of Tennessee. Like Kentucky Bourbon it is made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels.
What is the Tennessee whiskey style?
It is a sour mash whiskey, a style utilized by many Bourbon distillers, in which a portion of spent mash is incorporated into a newly fermenting mash, much like sourdough bread. Offers a sweeter, deeper flavor.
What is the Lincoln County Process?
The difference between Tennessee Whiskey (i.e. Jack Daniels) and other bourbon is that after the spirit is distilled it is filtered through sugar-maple charcoal. This filtering process is known as the Lincoln County Process. It must be done to legally make Tennessee whiskey.
What is rye whiskey?
Name two producers.
How is it different from bourbon?
Rye Whiskey, distilled from a minimum 51% rye and aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years. Rye Whiskies, such as Sazerac and Rittenhouse, are more bitter and powerful than Bourbon.
What is corn whiskey?
produced from a minimum 80% corn, and may be unaged or aged in used or uncharred new barrels.
What does cask strength mean?
What is the ABV range?
Two other names it is also known as?
—A term used to describe a whisky that has not been substantially diluted after its storage in a cask for maturation. Most bottled whisky is diluted with water to reduce its strength to a level that makes it less expensive to produce and more palatable to most consumers – usually about 40% ABV (the statutory minimum in some countries, including the U.S.). The degree of dilution significantly affects the flavor and general drinking experience of the whisky.
—The level of alcohol-by-volume (ABV) strength for a cask strength whisky is typically in the range of 58–66% ABV.
—also known as barrel proof/barrel strength
How is Scotch whisky different from American whiskey?
Scotch whisky relies on used casks for a more subtle interaction between wood and spirit—used Bourbon and Sherry casks are generally employed to age Scotch.
A more dominant character trait of Scotch derives from the process of malting barley for fermentation with the use of peat bogs along with wood burning, bringing the peaty character.
Why does Scotch have a peaty characteristic?
A dominant character trait of Scotch derives from the process of malting barley for fermentation and the means of heat required to do so.
- Scotland’s forests are concentrated near the center, and wood burning becomes expensive toward the coast.
- Scotland’s many peat bogs provide another ready source of combustible material, but burning peat produces an oily smoke that infuses the malted barley with its scent and character.
- The peatiness transmits a dominant note in the finished whisky, especially in coastal or island distilleries.
What are the five legal categories of Scotch. When were these regulations put into place?
The 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations established five legal categories of Scotch:
—Single Malt Scotch Whisky —Single Grain Scotch Whisky —Blended Malt Scotch Whisky —Blended Grain Scotch Whisky —Blended Scotch Whisky
**required on all labels from 2011 forward.
What are the requirements for the following categories:
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Single Grain Scotch Whisky Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Blended Grain Scotch Whisky Blended Scotch Whisky
—Single Malt Scotch Whisky: distilled at a single distillery in a pot still, in one or more batches, from water and malted barley.
—Single Grain Scotch Whisky: any Scotch Whisky distilled at a single distillery that does not qualify as either Single Malt Whisky or Blended Scotch Whisky
—Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that have been produced at more than one distillery (“pure malt” is no longer legally authorized as a synonym for blended malt)
—Blended Grain Scotch Whisky: blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies that have been produced at more than one distillery
—Blended Scotch Whisky: blend of one or more Single Malt Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Whiskies
Scotch regulations.
What is the minimum alcohol? Distillation procedures? (4) Authorized Additives? Aging Requirements? Maturation and Export? Statements of Age?
—40%
1) Scotch Whisky must be produced from a mixture of water, malted barley, and other whole cereal grains
2) Distillation produces a spirit of no more than 94.8% abv
3) Fermentation and Distillation must occur at the same location in Scotland
4) Must be distilled twice (or more)
—Water and caramel coloring
—All Scotch Whisky must be aged for a minimum 3 years in oak casks with a maximum capacity of 700 liters
—Scotch Whisky may only be matured in a permitted excise warehouse in Scotland
-Scotch Whisky may not be exported in oak or wooden vessels (inoxidative containers are legally allowed)
-Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be bottled in Scotland from Nov. 23, 2012 onward
—Year of distillation may not be included on the label unless the year of bottling, period of maturation, or the age (in years) of the whisky is also included.
How long my Scotch whisky aged for?
How long are single malts generally aged for?
How long can Scotch age for in barrel?
—All Scotch whisky must be aged for at least three years.
—Single Malt Scotch is generally aged for at least ten years, with some whiskies released at 25 or 30 years of age.
—As Scotch whisky must be at least 40% abv, most whiskies cannot be aged longer than 30 or 32 years in the barrel—evaporation (the “angels’ share”) over time would weaken the spirit too much to meet the legal minimum.
What are the six regions of production in Scotland?
Highland Lowland Speyside Islay Campbeltown the Islands (not a GI, under Highland)
What is the largest region of production in Scotland?
Best known distilleries (4)
Highland
Oban, Glenmorangie, Dalwhinnie and Dalmore
What region often produces the lightest and least smoky scotch?
Best known distilleries (3)
Lowland, an ideal aperitif.
Glenkinchie, Auchentoshan, and Bladnoch