What two things do all whiskeys have in common?
They are made from grains and matured in oak barrels.
What are the main grains used to make whiskey?
- Barley
- Corn
- Wheat
- Rye
What is the process of converting starch to sugar in barley?
Malting
Barley grains are germinated, producing enzymes that convert starch into fermentable sugars.
What is wort?
Sweet liquid created when crushed malted barley is mixed with warm water; enzymes convert starch into sugar.
If not malted, how are other grains processed for fermentation when making whiskey?
Other grains are crushed, mixed with water and cooked at high temps to convert starch into a soluble form.
Some malted barley is added to this liquid, the enzymes help convert the starch to sugar.
How is whiskey aged?
Most whiskeys are matured in oak barrels for several years - distillers want a balance between oak flavors and flavors from the grains.
Where does Bourbon most often come from and what are the requirements to be called Bourbon?
- ≥51% corn
- Distilled to max 80% ABV
- Enter barrel at ≤62.5% ABV
- Matured in new charred oak barrels
What are the requirements when making Tennessee Whiskey?
- Can only be made in Tennessee.
- Must be at least 51% corn.
- Matured in new charred oak barrels.
- Must undergo Lincoln County Process (filtering through sugar maple charcoal before barreling).
What are the requirements for Rye Whiskey?
Must be 51% rye grains (gives these whiskies a spicy flavor).
Style: spicy, peppery, rye-bread aromas, often with citrus zest.
Which type of whisky is often a blend of small amounts of flavorful whisky with lighter corn-based whisky?
Canadian Rye Whisky
Typically blends lighter corn whisky with small amounts of rye-rich “flavoring whiskies.”
What are the requirements for Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
- Single = One distillery
- Malt = Malted Barley
- Can only be made using malted barley
- Must be distilled using a pot still
- Must be matured minimum 3 years in oak barrels
- Must be the product of one distillery, but can have blends of ages
Known for malt/cereal flavors; some have peat smoke aromas
Define:
Peat
Damp, partially decomposed vegetation cut from ground, dried, and burnt to produce aromatic smoke (used to as fuel to heat grains at the end of malting) adds smoky flavor.
What is a blend of malt and grain whisky from different distillers in Scotland called?
Blended Scotch Whisky
Describe the characteristics of Irish Whiskeys?
- Most are a blend of pot and column still spirits.
- Typically lighter in style than Scotch whisky.
- Malt whiskeys are typically triple rather than double distilled in pot stills.
- Commonly use unmalted barley (gives spicy, fruity, oily aromas).
Describe the characteristics of whisky made in Japan.
They are made using the Scottish production model, but tend to have purer style and less malty cereal flavors.
What are flavoring grains?
A combination of grains used in whiskey to add extra flavor and character to whiskey.
The combination of grains producers use is called a mash bill.
What are some sources of flavors used in making Scotch Whiskies?
- Using peat as a fuel to heat the grains, imparts a smoky flavor
- Shape of the pot still influences the aromas, a shorter still produces more pronounced aromas
- Source of the oak used, second hand barrels are most often used
Describe the flavors imparted on Scotch whiskies depending on the barrels used.
- Bourbon barrels give coconut, vanilla and spice aromas
- Sherry barrels from the wine region of Jerez in Spain give aromas of dried fruit and orange peel
- Use of wood ‘finishing barrels’ allow some of the liquid in the staves to come out and add flavor
What are the 5 whisky regions in Scotland?
- Islay
- Highland
- Campbeltown
- Speyside
- Lowland
When listed on the label, this tells the consumer where the distillery is located.
What does the number of years aged tell us about the whisky?
It tells us the age of the youngest whisky used in the blend.
What does Blended Scotch Whisky tell us on the label?
The whisky is made from a blend of malt and grain whisky, in Scotland.
What does the word single indicate on the label?
The whisky is produced entirely at one distillery.
What is a Malt Scotch Whisky?
The whisky was made from malted barley and distilled in pot stills, in Scotland.
What term do distillers use to indicate that the whisky was transferred into a separate set of Sherry barrels after the main maturation time?
Sherry Cask Finish
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Tasting and Evaluating Spirits35
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Factors Affecting the Style and Quality of Spirits35
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The Spirits Industry15
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Fruit Spirits26
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Whisky/Whiskey30
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Sugar Cane Spirits37
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Tequila and Mezcal38
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Vodka18
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Techniques for Flavoring and Coloring Spirits13
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Flavored Spirits21
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Aromatised Wines13
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An Introduction to a Spirits Bar41
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Mixing with Spirits36
