Whisky/ Whiskey Flashcards
In 1963 Glenfiddich was the first single malt to?
Market itself outside of the U.K.
How many Whisky distilleries are currently in production in Japan?
6 (10 if you count individual brands)
What is their model? (Japanese Whisky)
Scotch whisky production. They even spell it w/ out the ‘e’ like Scotch whisky
Where do the Japanese source their grain?
They grow their own Barley and some Import malted barley from Scotland
Do the Japanese have peat?
Yes and they import peated malt from Scotland and produced some peated malts.
Do the Japanese have blended or single malts?
Both. Single malt is produced in Pot stills while Grain Whisky is produced in column stills.
What does transperancy of Japanese Whisky mean?
They are produced from Crystal Clear worts that have been fermented for a long time with a selection of yeasts. They have a clean precise array of flavours and rarely any maltiness.
Is there any comraderie among Japanese distillers?
Not really. They don’t exchange whiskey so most are basically single malts from one distillery only.
What is Hakushu?
The biggest malt distillery in the world
What kind of oak is used for aging Japanese Whisky?
American oak, mostly used, sherry butts small amounts of Japanese oak for intense incense like perfume.
Where is Whisky making assumed to have been created?
Ireland. It was spread to Scotland by Irish monks
What is Poitin?
Illegal Irish whiskey (moonshine). Although rural distilleries in Scotland went legal in 1823, Irish did not.
Why are these so few distilleries in Ireland left today when there were hundreds @ one time?
After independence from England, Irish government imposed such high taxes which forced many outing business. Export market to us collapsed during prohibition and they couldn’t provide enough product afterwards.
Which distilleries are left in Ireland?
Bushmills in the North (owned by Diageo), Cooley in the East (Independent) and Middelton (owned by Pernod Ricard and includes multiple brands)
Which is the best selling Irish whiskey in the world?
Jameson’s. 2 million cases in 2006
IDL/ Midleton is so dominant its style has set the standard for Irish whiskey production. What is the standard?
Triple distillation, a % of unmalted barley in pot still whiskies and unpeated malt.
What does unmalted barley do to the flavour profile?
Spicy, fruity and oily.
Firmness to the palate balancing softness of malt.
How did the use of unmalted barley originate?
Middle 1800s tax was imposed on malted barley. People started using some unmalted barley to avoid more tax. It gave higher yields of alcohol.
How much unmalted barley does IDL/ Midelton use in its pot still whiskies?
Ratio varies but never less than 20% and never more than 60%
Explain how IDL/ Midleton does pot still distillation?
One of two wash stills for the first run produces low wines of 22- 50% ABV. Then into feints of 50- 78% ABV. Then into spirits still where it is separated into foreshots,new make and feints. Different cut points are used for each distillate.
Name the principal grain used in the production of Canadian whiskey.
Rye
How many yrs must a scotch whisky be matured for?
3 yrs min
Describe Bourbon Whisky?
Must be made of a grain mixture of at least 51% corn. Distilled in continuous still. Matured in oak casks for minimum for 4 yrs.
Describe single grain Whisky
A grain Whisky from one distillery (not made from one type of grain)
Describe blended Whisky
A blend of malt and grain Whisky
Describe vatted malt whisky
A blend of malts from more than one distillery
Describe single malt whisky
100% malted barley Whisky from a single distillery
Name the 4 main scotch regions?
Highland
Lowlands
Islay
Campbeltown
Define peat?
Decaying vegetative matter
Define Bourbon?
American whiskey from maize, rye and malted barley
What are the 3 key ways that Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whisky?
Made from a blend of malted and unmalted barley with some grain majority made by continuous still method. Peat rarely used in the malting process.
What’s the general aging requirements for Scotch?
Must be aged in Scotland in oak casks for no less than 3 yrs.
Name 5 distilleries located in Speyside
Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Balvanie and Knockndo
Which Scotch whisky is made from malted barley only and is double- distilled in a pot still?
Malt whiskey
Which scotch whiskey is made from non- barley grains with a small amount of malted barley in a continuous still?
Grain whiskey
What is a single malt whiskey?
Malt whisky from one distillery
Name the 6 stages of production for scotch whisky before fermentation?
Steeping, Green Malt, Kilning, Milling, Mashing, Conversion
Where are most Bourbon whiskey’s produced?
Kentucky
What is the minimum % of corn in a Bourbon?
51%
What is the minimum % of rye in a rye Whisky?
51%
What is corn whiskey?
Min 80% and if aged in wood, must be in used or uncharred barrels.
What is straight whiskey?
Any that was distilled to no higher than 160 proof and bottled @ no less than 80 proof and @ least 51% of one type of grain on the mash bill.
What is bonded whiskey?
Single distillery from a bonded distillery. Min 4 yrs aging. 100 proof.
What are requirements for rye whiskey?
Must be 51% rye otherwise same as Bourbon and Tennesee whiskey
What is Tennessee whiskey? What is the process called to make it?
51% corn up to 79%. Sour mash whiskey filtered with maple charcoal prior to aging. Lincoln county process.
What are the production rules for bourbon?
51% corn up to 80%. Aged in charred new oak casks. If aged less than 4 yrs, must state length of aging on bottle. May be legally produced anywhere in US.
Who founded Kentucky’s first whiskey distillery?
Rev. Elijah Craig in 1789
When is the 1st written proof of Whisky production in Scotland?
1494
What is the origin of the term whiskey?
Gaelic Visgebetha (Water of life) Legend attributes distillation in Ireland to St Patrick in the 5th Century
What are the rules for Canadian whiskey?
Blended whiskey (@ least half is neutral grain spirit). Additives are legal. Min of 3 yrs in barrel (any type will do). Unless it says rye it more than likely will be corn based.
What are the 5 categories of Scotch established in the 2009 Scotch whiskey regulations?
Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Single Grain Scotch Whiskey Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey Blended Grain Scotch Whisky Blended Scotch Whisky
What is single malt scotch whisky?
Distilled to no higher than 140 proof from malted barley in a pot still @ a single distillery.
From 2012 forward must be bottled in Scotland
What is single grain scotch whisky?
Produced @ a single distiller from unmalted barley, wheat or corn
What is blended malt scotch whisky?
Produced from a blend of malt whiskies
What is blended grain scotch whisky?
Produced from two or more grain whiskies.
What is blended scotch whiskies?
Blend of malt and grain whiskies from a number of distilleries
What are the manufacturing req. for scotch whisky?
All scotch must be produced in Scotland. Distilled @ least twice. Aged for @ least 3 yrs.
Why can’t scotch be aged longer than 30 yrs?
Angel’s share reduces amount of ABV to less than legal limits
What are the 6 major regions of Scotch?
Highlands Lowlands Islay Campbeltown The Islands
What are the better known distilleries of the Highlands?
Oban, Glenmorangie, Dalwhinnie, Dalmore
What are the better known scotch of the Lowlands? What is its style?
Glen Kinichie
Avchentoshan
Lightest and least smokey
What are the better known producers in Speyside? What is its style?
Glenlivet
Glenfiddich
Macallan
Milder and fruitier in character
What are the distilleries of Campbelltown? What is its style?
Glen Scotia
Glengyle
Springbank
Pronounced peatyness and toasted seaweed
What are the major scotch producing islands? What are their major distilleries?
Skye (Talisker) Jura Mull Arran Orkney (Highland Park)
What are the major distillers of Islay? What is their style?
Ardberg
Lagavullin
Laphroaig
Most peaty, smokey style
What are the four active Irish distillers?
Old Bushmills
Cooley
New Middelton (Jameston)
Kilbeggan (won’t release until 2014)
What caused the divergence in style between Irish and Scotch whiskies?
1725 English tax on malting barley. Scottish started malting barley @ night (hence moonshine). Irish did not malt their barley.
How is Irish whisky typically made?
Triple pot distilled (although many are continuous) aged minimum three yrs prior to release.
Is all Irish whisky unmalted unpeated?
No
What are the four major kinds of Irish whiskey?
Single malt whiskey (100% malted barley, pot still, single distillery- Bushmills), Grain Whisky (continuous still from wheat or corn), Blended Whisky (blend of single malt and grain- Jameson), Pure Pot Still (malted and unmalted barley in a pot still- Red Breast)
What is needed for whiskey to be a bourbon?
Whiskey must be made from mash bill of 51% corn to which is added a selection of small grains. Max 80% ABV and aged @ max 62.5% in new charred American oak barrel for 2 yrs and No colour adjustment is allowed.
What characteristics does corn give Bourbon?
Signature soft sweetness. The less corn- the fuller flavoured the Bourbon
What characteristics does Bourbon rye give?
Bourbon’s attack. Rye is aromatic, lemon accented a slightly dusty when young. In middle palate is intense, acidity, slightly oily quality begins to bite. Give spicy lift to finish.
What characteristics does wheat give Bourbon?
Gentle rounded quality and notes of honey
Which Bourbon uses the highest % of Rye and malted barley
Wild Turkey
What Bourbons use the highest percentage of wheat?
Maker’s mark, Van Winkle
What is different about four roses bourbon?
It uses two different mash bills for its one Bourbon
Discuss cooking corn.
Corn is ground into meal and cooked @ high temps along with a little bit of malted barley which helps to liquidfy the corn slurry. Corn mash has to cool before anything else is added.
During mashing, why does corn mash have to be cooled before adding anything else?
Too high a temp and Rye balls form and there is a greater risk of bacterial infection
Add rye/ wheat to corn mash and cook it. Then what?
Temp is cooled once more and rest of the malted barley is added for its enzymes to convert starches to fermentable sugars.
What is Backset?
The acidic liquid residue left @ the bottom of the beer column from last run (Bourbon)
What is the purpose of Backset?
Bourbon. The hard alkaline water is made more acidic by Backset. This helps yeast grow, lowers risk of bacterial infection and evens out character of different batches.
What is sour mashing?
Bourbon. When Backset is added to the cooker. Though only a few producers use this term on label all do the process.
What is the law about Backset?
Bourbon. Backset just make up 25% of total mash (or more as distilled wants)
What happens if you add the wrong proportion of Backset?
Too much and the mash will be very dilute and acidic and lose flavour. Add too little and you get thick mash which can stick to the plates during distillation.
Discuss Fermentation (Bourbon)
Bright yellow mash ferments for 3 days on average. Each producer has his own cultivated yeast to produce desired profile.
What is the name of the column still for the first run? (Bourbon)
Beer still. All bourbons and whiskies are distilled first and this, except Labrot and Graham. This is a copper packed around certain plates.
How does beer still work? (Bourbon)
Mash is pumped in @ top, zigzags, down meeting live steam from bottom. Alcohol goes up to collection plate and then to warm condenser. The non alcoholic liquid residue @ the bottom is the Backset for the next ferment.
What comes out of the beer still? (Bourbon)
Backset and low wines
Where do low wines go then? (Bourbon)
Into doubler to remove impurities and boost alcohol
What is a thumper? (Bourbon)
Device used in second distillation along with doubler
How does a thumper work? (Bourbon)
Vapor is fed through a basic hydro selection column with water retaining the heavier alcohols.
What is the new spirit called after its second distillation in the thumper/ doubler? (Bourbon)
New spirit= high wines= white dog
What is so different about Labrot and Graham? (Bourbon)
Only one pot still distillery using a form of triple pot still distillation
Why use American oak for aging? (Bourbon)
High in colour extractives, Vanillin and Lactones, give spirit its reddish hue and signature. Vanilla, Coconut, Pine (in time= Sweet spices, Chocolate, Tobacco, Cherry)
Why char the barrels for aging? (Bourbon)
Removes any aggressive elements in new spirit
What is a rack house? Bourbon
7-9 story buildings whose temperatures can only be controlled by opening closing Windows. Along with climate results in large temp. fluctuations.
What other storage buildings are used for aging bourbon besides rack house?
Brick warehouses which may be heated in winter. Its effectiveness compared to rack house is a subject of debate.
How do producers work with the great temperature fluctuations in rack house? (Bourbon)
Either cross blend between floors, rotate barrel positioning or use best as single barrel/ premium bottlings
Authorised additives
Water and caramel colouring
Distillation procedures
Scotch whisky must be produced from a mixture of water, malted barley, and other whole cereal grains. Distillation produces a spirit of no more than 94.8% ABV. Fermentation and distillation must occur @ the same location in Scotland.
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Geographic Indications:
Highland (including the isles of Mull, Jura, Skye, and Orkney), Lowland, Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Minimum Alcohol:
40%
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Distillation Procedures:
Scotch Whisky must be produced from a mixture of water, malted barley, and other whole cereal grains. Distillation produces a spirit of no more than 94.8% abv. Fermentation and Distillation must occur at the same location in Scotland
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Authorized Additives:
Water and caramel coloring
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Aging Requirements:
All Scotch Whisky must be aged for a minimum 3 years in oak casks with a maximum capacity of 700 liters
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Maturation and Export:
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
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Statements of Age:
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
Scotch Whisky Regulations- Categories of Scotch Whisky (required on all labels from 2011 forward):
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 Whisky Distilleries- Aberfeldy:
Highland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Aberlour:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Abhainn Dearg (also known as Red River)
Isle of Lewis
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Ailsa Bay:
Lowland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Allt-á-Bhainne:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Ardbeg:
Islay
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Ardmore:
Highland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Arran:
Isle of Arran
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Auchentoshan:`
Lowland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Auchroisk:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Aultmore:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Balblair:
Highland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Balmenach:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Balvenie:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Ben Nevis:
Highland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- BenRiach:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Benrinnes:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Benromach:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Bladnoch:
Lowland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Blair Athol:
Highland
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Bowmore:
Islay
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Brackla:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries -Braeval:
Speyside
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Bruichladdich:
Islay
Scotch Whisky Distilleries- Bunnahabhain:
Islay