Irish, Japanese, Canadian and Other Whiskies for WSET® Level 3 Spirits

Are exogenous enzymes allowed in Irish Whiskey production?

Yes, since the use of unmalted barley and other grains is also used.

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Aromas given by unmalted barley?

Generally described as nutty and oily.

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Blended Irish Whiskey

A blend of two or more whiskey types
Any combination of Irish Pot Still, Irish Malt, or Irish Grain Whiskey results in an Irish Blended Whiskey

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Difference between Canadian Rye Whisky and Rye Whisky?

No difference
and there is no requirement or a minimum amount of Rye to be used

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Difference between ‘weak feints’ and ‘pot feints’?

(Triple Pot Distillation - Irish Whiskey)

Weak Feints are the heads and tails from the second distillation and are sent back for redistillation with the low wines
Pot Feints are the heads and tails from the third distillation and are sent back to be redistilled with the Strong Feints from the second distillation

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Flavors of Quercus mongolica?

(Japanese Whisky)

Sandalwood
Cedar
Incense

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Describe Grain Irish Whiskey:

Made from a mash containing unmalted grains with malted barley
Malted barley can be no more than 30% of the mash
Must be distilled in a column still

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What is Hydroselection?

By lowering the abv of a highly rectified spirit to less than 20%, the fusel oils will evaporate more easily
In certain column still set-ups, there is a specific column (Hydroselction Column) that will be used to separate the fusel oils from the diluted spirit

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In Ireland, who are the major column still producers?

Midleton and Cooley

Tullamore is also becoming a player.

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In Ireland, why is it not always possible to run a balanced operation in some distilleries?

Large distilleries, such as Midleton, are running many different types of mash bills, and as a result produce many types of different heads and tails, which are not all interchangeable.

This is a significant difference to Scottish producers.

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Describe Japanese Malted Whiskey:

Japanese Whisky made from malted barley.

Otherwise, can also choose whether or not to use peat, the still design and operation, location, and all of the permutations of wood aging.

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List the four types of Irish Whiskey:

Pot Still Irish Whiskey / Irish Pot still Whiskey
Malt Irish Whiskey / Irish Malt Whiskey
Grain Irish Whiskey / Irish Grain Whiskey
Blended Irish Whiskey / Irish Blended Whiskey

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Describe Malt Irish Whiskey:

Whiskey made from a mash that is 100% malted barley
May include peated malt
Must be pot distilled, either 2 or 3 times

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Maximum distillation strength for Irish Whiskey spirit?

94.8% abv

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Maximum size of the wooden vessels allowed for aging Irish Whiskey?

700 Liters, or less, for a minimum of 3 years on the island of Ireland.

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Most significant difference between stills in Scotland and stills in Japan?

They are basically designed the same, but the Japanese will have a wider range of still types, which is used to create a variety of spirits
This is needed as there is no trade of stock-spirits among producers, in Japan, as there is in Scotland

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Name four brands produced at Midleton?

Jameson
Powers
Redbreast (single pot stilled)
Green Spot (single pot stilled)

…and of course Midleton would be a correct answer

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Describe Pot Still Irish Whiskey?

Mash must include a minimum of 30% unpeated malted barley, a minimum of 30% unmalted barley, and other unmalted cereals
Must be distilled in pot stills either 2 or 3 times

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Stills used for Canadian Base Whiskey?

Column stills

As such the spirits are relatively lightly flavored.

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Stills used for Canadian Flavoring Whisky?

Pot Stills

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Style of Triple Pot Still Distillation?

(Irish Whiskey)

Generally, a more highly rectified and lighter style of spirit, as compared to double pot distillation.

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The dominant grain used for Irish Grain Whiskey by both Midleton and Cooley?

Study These Flashcards

Corn

The grain used for most Canadian Base Whisky?

Study These Flashcards

Corn

The most important grain used in Canadian Flavoring Whisky?

Study These Flashcards

Rye

Corn, Wheat and Barley are also used, though.

**Triple Pot Distillation**: abv of the **Wash**, **Low Wines**, **Strong Feints**, **Heart:**

* **Wash** - 8-10% abv * **Low Wines** - 25% abv * **Strong Feints** - 70% abv * **Heart** - 84% abv

Triple Pot Distillation: **Name the stills**

1. **Wash Still** (1st distillation) 2. **Feints Still** (2nd distilaltion) 3. **Spirit Still** (3rd distillation)

# **True / False:** Malted barley for Irish Whiskey is traditionally peated.

**False** ## Footnote *The tradition is to use **un-peated** malted barley.* *Some smaller distillers are making peated Irish Whiskey, today, but in very limited amounts.*

Two broad categories of **blending ingredients** for Canadian Whisky?

1. **Base** Whiskies 2. **Flavoring** Whiskies

Type of **oak used for aging** Japanese Whisky?

***Quercus mongolica***, which is found throughout northern Asia. In Japan, it is called ***mizunara***.

What are **grain whiskies** made from in Japan?

Typically made from **corn** or **wheat**, and with malted barley. The style will vary depending on still style and design.

What are most all of the Canadian Flavoring Whisky **fermented with**?

A specific selection of **cultured yeasts** to generate desired flavors.

What are some **basic requirements** for Canadian Whisky?

* Must be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada * Must have the aroma, taste, and character generally associated with Canadian Whisky * No restrictions on the grains * Exogenous enzymes are permitted * No rules on types of stills, distillation strength * The Whiskey must be matured for 3 years in barrels no larger than 700 liters * Caramel and flavorings are permitted

What are the **key grains** used for Irish Whiskey production?

* **Malted Barley** * **Unmalted Barley** * **Corn** (maize)

What are the **three columns** of Midleton's triple-column still?

1. **Rectifying column** 2. **Hydroselection column** (to remove fusel oils) 3. **Final Rectifying column** ## Footnote *The result is a lighter, more refined style of spirit, that achieves 94.5% abv*

What can be **added** to matured Irish Whiskey and what is the **minimum** bottling strength?

* Water and caramel coloring * 40% abv

What can Canadian Whiskey be **flavored with**?

Any spirit or wine, domestic or imported. ## Footnote *It just has to have the aroma, character, and taste of Canadian Whiskey.*

What do **blenders of Japanese Whisky** base their blends on?

* Either based **solely on malts** * Or on **blends of malt and grain** whiskies

What is Midleton's **double-column still** used for?

It is used to **separate Group 2 fractions** from any left-over heads and tails of the **pot still operation**.

What is the **major difference** between **Japanese** and **Scottish** Distillers?

* Japanese Whisky companies do not trade stocks. * This means each distillery must **create its own flavor path** in order to meet the blender's needs.

What is the **template** for Japanese whiskey distilleries?

* Malt Whisky made in **Pot stills** * Grain Whisky made in **Column stills**

What **style of distillation** is Irish Whiskey often closely associated with?

**Triple pot still distillation.**

When did the use of **unmalted barley** begin in Ireland?

**Middle of the 19th C** as a way to reduce the distiller's tax bill.

Where does the **majority of the wood** used for the **maturation** of Irish Whiskey originate?

The **United States** (same as the Scotch Whisky producers).

Which distillery in Ireland remains the **dominant producer** and **reference point** on the island for Irish Whiskey?

**Midleton** in Cork (Pernod Ricard / Jameson, among others).

Which **major producers** have made significant investments in **Irish Whiskey**?

* William Grant & Sons * Beam Suntory * Pernod-Ricard

Which type of Irish Whiskey **requires** the use of **unmalted barley**?

**Irish Pot Still Whiskey**

**Who** and **when** was the first whisky distillery set up in Japan?

* Who = **Yamazaki** * When = **1923** ## Footnote *Yamazaki is currently the largest whisky distillery in Japan.*

Who owns **Bushmills Distillery**? And where is it located?

**Jose Cuervo** **Northern Ireland**

Who owns **Colley/Kilbeggan** Distillery?

**Beam Suntory**

Who owns **Crown Royal**?

**Diageo** ## Footnote *And it is the largest brand of blended Canadian Whisky.*

Who owns **Midleton Distillery**?

**Pernod-Ricard**

Why are Canadian Club and Crown Royal a **bit softer in style**?

These have a soft texture due to the **high percentage of corn-based whiskies** used.

Why is **wood finishing** an important aspect of Irish Whiskey production, at the moment?

Many producers are still in the **early stages**, and they are buying spirit to resell, as such the finishing is their way to put their mark on a spirit style.

Irish, Japanese, Canadian and Other Whiskies Flashcards

Other important producers of whiskey are covered in this deck, which focuses on the differences in raw materials, production and other legal requirements. (53 cards)