What are buyer’s own brands?
Refers to when a retailer sells own-label products.
They source spirits and have them bottled/labeled under their own brand to sell. Will often purchase a fully-finished product, as many of the retailers do not distill or own maturation facilities.
What is a maturation specialist and give an example of a region where these specialists work?
- Maturation specialists do not distill their own spirit, but rather focus on the blending and maturation of the product.
- In Armagnac, there are many smaller professional distillers that will sell their product to a Maturation Specialist who will blend and mature the product to their specification.
What’s the difference between ‘XO’ in Cognac and ‘XO’ on Rum?
- ‘XO’ on Cognac means matured for at least 10 years
- ‘XO’ on Rum means no guarantee of anything
What’s the general definition of single malt Scotch Whisky:
- Must be made in Scotland
- Using malted barley
- Distilled using pot stills
- Distilled at a single distillery
- Matured for three years in oak barrels
What’s the general definition of straight bourbon?
- Can only come from the US
- Must be made from at least 51% corn
- Matured in new, charred oak containers or vessels for at least 2 years
Give an example of a distiller that might grow their own raw material:
A Cognac distiller that owns their own vineyards and grows their own grapes.
Give three examples of where legal controls are placed on distillers for the sourcing (type and origin) of their raw materials:
- Tequila
- Cognac
- Calvados
What is Glenfarclas?
A medium-sized, independent single malt whisky distillery in Scotland that markets its own brands in both local and export markets.
They must work with a specialist importer in each market they want to be located in.
Name the country of origin:
- Baijiu
- Soju
- Shōchū
- IMFL
- Baijiu - China
- Soju - Korea
- Shōchū - Japan
- IMFL (India Made Foreign Liquor) - India
Name the country of origin:
- Radico Khaitan Ltd
- Luzhou Lao Jiao Co. Ltd
- Hite Jinro Co. Ltd
- Radico Khaitan Ltd - India
- Luzhou Lao Jiao Co. Ltd - China
- Hite Jinro Co. Ltd - Korea
Name three major suppliers of spirit, who also may produce their own brands:
- MGP (USA)
- Greenall’s (UK)
- E&A Scheer (Holland)
Per the W.H.O., what is the volume of a unit of pure ethanol?
12 mL of pure alcohol, which is the equivalent to 30 mL, or 1 US fl oz, of 40% abv spirit
To the consumer, what does the term ‘craft’ imply?
Value linked to quality, as well as attention to detail, tradition, handmade, small-scale production, etc.
True / False:
In Scotland, all of the malt used for malt whisky must come from Scotland?
False
The malt may be sourced from anywhere.
True / False:
The vast majority of distilleries that produce flavored spirits make the base themselves.
False
Most of the distilleries that specialize in flavored spirits do not make their own base, but rather just focus on the flavoring aspect of production.
Ultimately, where is the general definition of a spirit outlined?
At the local level, although it may be reinforced by national or international regulations or agreements.
What are the four key stages of spirits production:
- Processing raw materials
- Alcoholic fermentation
- Distillation
- Post-distillation operations
What are the two main types of large multi-national spirit companies in the world?
- Those that have a multi-national outlook
- Those that have sales focused on a small number of markets
What is an independent bottler? Give an example.
Companies that buy-in spirits and bottle under their own name as well as that of the distiller.
In Mezcal there are many very small producers that sell their spirit to a bottler, who then blends and promotes the product for sale.
What is or often can be the focus of larger companies that are using outside professional distillers to produce the bulk of their distillate?
Maturation and brand development
What is the basic definition of whiskey?
A spirit made from grains.
What is the legal definition of ‘craft’?
With few exceptions, there is none. And there is no consensus within the broader industry as to what it really should mean.
A few jurisdictions have begun to create legal definitions for the term, but these are not included in the textbook at this time.
What is the potential length of the distillation season when using dry ingredients?
Can be year-round
And as a result, there tend to be less active distillers in the same category - because there is less demand on the stills and the season gets spread out over a longer period of time.
What is the potential length of the distillation season when using fresh ingredients?
Usually very short (seasonal)
And follows the growing season/harvest, such as for distillation of fresh fruit. In a smaller category, therefore, many smaller distillers can work independently, but in a larger category, it is mandatory for a number of professional distillers to share the load during what amounts to a relatively narrow period of time.
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Tasting & Evaluating Spirits123
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Raw Materials150
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Alcoholic Fermentation69
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Distillation62
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Maturation65
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Flavors Other Than Oak42
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Adjusting, Blending, Packaging38
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The Spirits Industry29
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American Whiskey104
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Scotch Whisky121
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Irish, Japanese, Canadian and Other Whiskies53
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Shōchū, Baijiu, Soju139
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Fruit Spirits - Cognac and Armagnac100
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Other Fruit Spirits113
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Sugar Cane Spirits - Caribbean Rum93
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Sugar Cane Spirits - Cachaca and Other Rums21
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Agave Spirits107
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Vodka36
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Gin and Genever37
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Flavored Spirits and Liqueurs68
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Aromatised Wines90
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Units of Measurements and Conversions53
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Spirits Tasting Lexicon31
