T or F? In the US, whiskey must be distilled at less than 95% abv
True
T or F? Bourbon whiskey must be produced from a mash of at least 51% corn
True
T or F? All European rye whiskey may be released after a minimum of 2 years of oak aging
False
T or F? Straight bourbon whiskey must be aged for a minimum of 4 years in oak
False
T or F? Both EU and American whiskey must be bottled at a minimum of 40% abv
True
T or F? American corn whiskey does not have to be stored in oak, but if it is, the barrels must be used or uncharred wood
True
T or F? All American wheat whiskeys must be aged for a minimum of 2 years in oak
False
T or F? EU whiskey must be distilled to less than 94.8% abv
True
T or F? American rye whiskey must be made from a mash containing a minimum of 80% malted or unmalted rye
False
T or F? American corn whiskey must be made from a mash containing a minimum of 80% corn
True
T or F? There is no requirement for American wheat whiskey to be stored in oak containers
False
T or F? The minimum aging for both Irish whiskey and Scoth whisky is 3 years in oak
True
European term for the vessel used for mixing ground malt with hot water
Mash tun
The stage where germination of the grain is stopped
Kilning
The sugary liquid that is drained away from the ground grain
Wort
In Scotland, this process may occur in a washback
Fermentation
In this stage of production, enzymes complete the startch conversion process
Mashing
Type of sugar that is produced when grain is soaked in water
Maltose: a disaccharide formed from 2 units of glucose
If used to produce whiskey, water that contains high levels of this mineral can give the spirit a black hue
Iron
The list of ingredients that will be fermented for a particular type of whiskey
Grain/Mash bill
Mineral found in soft water
Sodium (Na)
Stage of whiskey production during which grain is soaked in water
Malting
Term used for roasted, ground grain
Grist
Term used for the fermented liquid that is ready to be distilled
Wash
Term used for malted barley or grain
Green malt
In the US, this vessel may be used for mixing ground malt with hot water
Mash cooker
The stage where peat may be used
Kilning
Name the 15 stages of whiskey production (some optional) in chronological order
1. Grain bill
2. Malting
3. Green malt
4. Kilning
5. Milling
6. Mashing
7. Washing
8. Fermentation
9. Distillation in a wash still
10. Low wines
11. Distillation in a spirit still
12. New-make spirit
13. Maturation
14. Blending
15. Bottling
T or F? Contact with the red layer of an oak barrel darkens the color of a spirit
True
T or F? During the process of oak aging, oxidation will cause the color of the spirit to lighten
False
T or F? The greater the diurnal temperature swing, the great the effect of maturation
True
T or F? Whiskey-aging warehouses in northern Europe tend to gbe one-story stone buildings
True
T or F? In general, Tennessee whiskey requires a longer aging period than Scotch whisky in order to achieve the same results
False
T or F? Rackhouses are typically several stories high, with wide termperature fluctuations between the top and bottom floors
True
T or F? American distillers are more likely to use new oak barrels for whiskey maturation thann are European distillers
True
T or F? Single-barrel bottlings are by far the largest category of whisky, according to global sales (by volume)
False
T or F? No water is added during the bottling process to a whisky that is labeled with the term cask-strength
True
T or F? Almost all whiskey is a blend of sorts, crafted from multiple barrels of a single product
True
T or F? Both water and alcohol will evaporate through the pores of a barrel
True
T or F? Most whisky distilleries in northern Europe use new oak barrels to age their whiskies
False
T or F? Multi-story rackhouses are commonly used to age whiskey throughout Ireland and Scotland
False
T or F? Some experts estimate that it takes over 3 years of aging whisky in Scotland to achieve the same results that are achieved in Kentucky in a single year
True
Name the 5 categories of Scotch Whisky
Single Malt
Single Grain
Blended Malt
Blended Grain
Blended Scotch
Describe the scotch from each whisky-producting region in Scotland and provide some example brands
Scotch description: red
Distillery count: blue
Brand examples: green
T or F? As the outside temperature lowers and cools the spirit, the spirit expands and is forced into the barrel staves
False
A whisky produced from the single malt Scotch whiskies of 2 more more distilleries
Blended malt
At least a portion must be used in all types of Scotch
Malted Barley
A blend of one or more single grain Scotch whiskies with one or more single malt Scotch whiskies
Blended Scotch
Must be produced at a single distillery from 100% malted barley and no other grains
Single Malt
Region that includes the islands of Mull, Jura, Skye
The Highlands
Declared a separate whisky-producing region as of 2009
Speyside
A Scotch whisky distilled at a single distillery from malted barley and other grains
SIngle grain Scotch
An ingredient that may be used in single grain Scotch but not in single malt Scotch
Wheat
A whisky produced from the single grain Scotch whiskies of 2 or more distilleries
Blended grain Scotch
Accounts for over 90% of the Scotch whisky consumed worldwide
Blended Scotch
Considered to be the premium product among the 5 categories of Scotch whisky
Single Malt
Region known for producing whiskies with a medium to strong peat character
Islay
Region traditionally known for a lighter style of whisky produced via triple distillation
The Lowlands
Region that has the largest number of operating distilleries in Scotland
Speyside
Region located on Scotland's Kintrye Peninsula
Campbeltown
Identify the whisky-producing areas of Scotland
1. Isle of Skye
2. Northern Highlands
3. Orkney Islands
4. Inverness
5. Speyside
6. Eastern Highlands
7. Aberdeen
8. Central Highlands
9. Perth
10. Edinburgh
11. Glasgow
12. Lowlands
13. Isle of Arran
14. Campbeltown
15. Islay
16. Isle of Jura
17. Western Highlands
18. Isle of Mull
Must be distilled using pot stills
A. Irish Malt Whiskey
and Irish Pot Still Whiskey
and Blended Irish WHiskey (partially)
Must be bottled in Ireland or shipped off the island in inert bulk containers
a. Irish Malt Whiskey
b. Irish Grain Whiskey
c. Irish Pot Still Whiskey
d. Blended Irish Whiskey
ALL OF THE ABOVE
May be produced using double or triple distillation
D. Irish Malt Whiskey
and Irish Pot Still Whiskey
and Blended Irish Whiskey (potentially)
Must be made using 100% malted barley
D. Irish Malt Whiskey
Must be produced using a maximum of 30% malted barley
D. Irish Grain Whiskey
Must be produced using a minimum of 30% of both malted and unmalted barley
B. Irish Pot Still Whiskey
Often contains up to 5% oats or rye
B. Irish Pot Still Whiskey
Not allowed to be exported in any type of wooden container
a. Irish Malt Whiskey
b. Irish Grain Whiskey
c. Irish Pot Still Whiskey
d. Blended Irish Whiskey
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Produced using 2 or more different whiskey types
A. Blended Irish Whiskey
Must be stored in wooden casks not to exceed 700 liters in capacity for at least 3 years
a. Irish Malt Whiskey
b. Irish Grain Whiskey
c. Irish Pot Still Whiskey
d. Blended Irish Whiskey
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Not produced using a mixture of malted and unmalted grains
B. Irish Malt Whiskey
T or F? Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey are both required to be distilled at no more than 94.8% abv
True
T or F? A whiskey known as Redbreast is produced at the New Midleton DIstillery
True
T or F? As of October 2015, a new set of technical standards was implemented for the production of Scotch whisky
False
T or F? Irish distilleries may use new or used oak barrels for the matureation of whiskey
True
T or F? Blended Irish whiskey often has a "leathery" flavor due to the use of unmalted grains
True
T or F? Irish malt whiskey is required to be aged for a minimum of 8 years in oak
False
T or F? Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey are both required to be aged in oak casks for a minimum of 3 years
True
T or F? There are currently more than one hundred whiskey distilleries operating in Ireland
False
T or F? If solids from the milling and mashing stages remain in the wort during fermentation, a more malty-flavored spirit will result
True
T or F? The aroma known as peat reek is more likely to be found in Scotch whiskies than in Irish whiskeys
True
T or F? Most Scotch grain whisky is very full-flavored and likely to be distilled in a copper pot still
False
T or F? All Irish whiskey is triple-distilled
False
T or F? Glen Scotia distillery is located in Scotland's Campbeltown region
True
T or F? In general, Irish whiskey is considered to be smoother and less "smoky" than Scotch
True
T or F? Caramel coloring is not allowed to be used as an additive in single grain Scotch whisky
False
Bourbon is required to be made from at least 51% X, but many high-quality bourbons contain as much as Y%.
X: Corn
Y: 70%
Bourbon must be distilled at an alcohol level not to exceed X proof
160° / 80% abv
DUring the distillation of bourbon, some residue from the first distillation run, known as X, may be placed back in the fermenter for use in the next batch. This process is known as Y.
X: Backset
Y: Sour Mashing
Typically, the first distillation of bourbon is done in pot stills or single column stills known as X. The second distillation takes place in a Y or a thumper.
X: beer stills
Y: doubler
A thumper uses heated water to capture and drain off the X of the distillation run
tails
Bourbon must be stored at not more than X proof in Y new oak containers
X: 125° / 62.5% abv
Y: charred
In the year X, the US Congress passed a resolution declaring that bourbon is a Y product of the US
X: 1964
Y: distinctive
Most bourbon is blended before bottling, but sometimes the best barrels, known as X, may be bottled as single-barrel bourbon
honey barrels
Bourbon that is labeled as X may contain coloring, flavoring, or other spirits, but it must be at least Y straight bourbon
X: blended
Y: 51%
While bourbon may be produced anywhere in the US, 95% of all bourbon is produced where?
Kentucky
Bourbon that has been aged for at least 2 ears in charred new oak containers may be labeled as what?
Straight Bourbon
Tennessee whiskey must undergo this charcoal-filtering process
Lincoln County Process
Tennessee distillery that was granted an exception to the charcoal-filtering rule
Benjamen Prichard's
Brand of American rye whiskey founded in 1810
Old Overholt
Aging requirement for American corn whiskey
None, but if aged, it must use used or uncharred barrels
Name the 6 types of American straight whiskeys
Bourbon
Corn
Wheat
Rye
Malted Rye
Malted Barley
Minimum aging requirement for American straight whiskeys that have an age statement on the labeled
2 years in new, charred barrels
Minimum aging requirement for American straight whiskeys that do not have an age statement on the labels
4 years in new, charred barrels
Required bottling proof for American bottled-in-bond whiskey
100° / 50% abv
A mixture of neutral spirits mixed with no less than 5% whiskey
Spirit whiskey
Another term for Jacob's Ghost or other types of white whiskey
new make, unaged whiskey, white dog
Obscure whiskey product that must be distilled to higher than 160 proof but lower than 190 proof
light whiskey
T or F? Canadian whisky is required to be aged for a minimum of 2 years in small wooden containers
False: minimum of 3 years in small wooden containers
T or F? Canadian grain whisky is sometimes referred to as base whisky
True
T or F? Specific styles of Canadian whisky, such as those produced using a large amount of rye or those stored in charred oak barrels, are often referred to as flavoring whiskies
True
T or F? Glenora Distillery is located in Ontario
False: North America's first single malt distillery is in Nova Scotia
T or F? Canadian blended whisky may contain up to 9.09% additives, which may include wine, sweetener, brandy, and/or caramel coloring
True
T or F? All of the products in Canadian blended whisky -- including base whisky, flavoring whisky, and other additives, must be of Canadian origin
False
T or F? Stalk and Barrel single malt whisky is produced in British Columbia
False: it is produced by the Still Waters DIstillery in Ontario in a copper pot still from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley
T or F? In terms of volume, the largest production of Canadian whisky is single malt whisky
False: It is grain whisky, sometimes referred to as base whisky. It is usually column distilled at 185-189 proof and aged for at least 3 years in used barrels.
T or F? Most Canadian blended whiskies are produced using grain whisky and flavoring whisky
True: though neither type of whisky is usually labeled or sold as such
T or F? A good deal of Canadian base whiskyn is made using wheat or corn as the main ingredient
True
T or F? Canadian whisky labeled with the term rye whisky must be produced using a minimum of 51% rye
False: it need not have any rye in at all
T or F? Canadian grain whisky is not typically bottled and labeled as such, but rather is used to produce Canadian blended whisky
True
T or F? Canadian single malt whisky is required to be aged in small wooden containers for a mionimum of 4 years
False: The terms single malt and extra rare are not defined per Canadian law
T or F? Canadian blended whisky is permitted to contain small amounts of sherry
True
T or F? During American Prohibition, large amounts of Canadian shisky were smuggled into the US
True
A distillery operated by Nikka WHisky and located on the island of Hokkaido
Yoichi Distillery
The first producer of a true grain-based whisky in India
Amrut
A distillery in the Czech Republic
Pradlo
Producer of Sullivans Cove Single Cask Malt Whisky
Tasmania Distillery
Producer of New Zealand's Hokonui Moonshine
Southern Distillery: located in South Canterbury District, it is the world's most southerly distillery
The first commercial whisky distillery in Japan
Suntory Distillery
Original location of Japan's first whisky distillery
Yamazaki
A popular style of molasses-based "whisky" produced in India
Officer's Choice
A 100% grain -based whisky produced in India by John Distilleries
Brilliance
Distillery operated by Nilkka Whisky and located in the city of Sendai
Miyagikyo
An Indian spirit distilled from cashew fruit
Feni
Scotland distillery where Masataka Taketsuru trained
Hazelburn Distillery
Producer of Hammer Head whisky
Pradlo
Large producer of Spanish whisky
Whisky DYC
Name the country of origin for Ardbeg
a. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Ballantine's
C. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Benjamin Prichard's
C. United States
Name the country of origin for Buffalo Trace
D. United States
Name the country of origin for Chivas Regal
D. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Cooley
A. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Connemara
C. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Crown Royal
B. Canada
Name the country of origin for Cutty Sark
B. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Dalmore
B. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Dalwhinnie
B. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Dewar's
D. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Famous Grouse
C. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Four Roses
C. United States
Name the country of origin for Glenlivet
D. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Glenora
C. Canada
Name the country of origin for George Dickel
B. United States
Name the country of origin for Green Spot
A. Ireland
Name the country of origin for J&B (Justerini & Brooks)
D. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Jack Daniel's
B. United States
Name the country of origin for Jameson
A. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Jim Beam
D. United States
Name the country of origin for Johnnie Walker
A. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Kilbeggan
D. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Macallan
A. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Maker's Mark
D. United States
Name the country of origin for Midleton
C. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Old Bushmills
B. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Old Forester
D. United States
Name the country of origin for Old Overholt
A. United States
Name the country of origin for Redbreast
D. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Talisker
B. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Teeling
C. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Tullamore D.E.W.
C. Ireland
note
: D.E.W. stands for Desmond E. Williams
Name the country of origin for West Cork
a. Scotlandb. Irelandc. United Statesd. Canada
b. Ireland
Name the country of origin for Wild Turkey
C. United States
Name the country of origin for William Peel
A. Scotland
Name the country of origin for Woodford Reserve
D. United States
Name the 5 companies owning the top 10 Scotch brands in 2019
Company: brand(million cases sold in 2019), ...
Diageo (51%): Johnnie Walker(18.4), J&B(3.0), Black & White(2.8), Bell's(1.9)
Bacardi (12%): William Lawson's(3.3), Dewar's(3.0)
William Grant & Sons (8%): Grant's(4.2)
La Martiniquaise-Bardinet (5%): Label 5(2.7)
American rye whiskey must be distilled at an abv not to exceed what?
D. 160° / 80% abv
EU shiskey must be stored for no less than 3 years in wooden casks with a maximum volume of:
B. 700 liters / 185 gal
Of the following grains, which is considered to be the best source for the enzymes that will help to convert the grain's starch to a fermentable form of sugar?
B. Barley
Which of the following is a well-known brand of Scotch whisky?
C. Johnnie Walker
note: Connemara is Irish, Evan Williams is a bourbon, and Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey; Johnnie Walker is the world's best-selling Scotch whisky
During which of the following whiskey-producing procedures is the wort separated from the grain?
A. Washing
Which of the following products comes off the spirit still?
C. High wines
Which of the following is one of the five categories of Scotch whisky, as defined by the Scotch Whisky Regulations?
D. Single grain
Which of the following processes of Scotch production is most likely to involve the use of peat?
A. Kilning
Which of the following brands of Scotch is produce in the Highlands region?
A. Dalmore
Which of the following brands of Scotch is produced in Islay?
D. Laphroaig
Irish whiskey must be distilled to an abv of less than what?
A. 189.6° / 94.8% abv
Irish pot still whiskey must contain what minimum amount of malted barley?
D. 30%
Which American statesman created the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897?
C. E. H. Taylor
Which of the following products is most likely to have undergone the Lincoln County Process?
B. Jack Daniel's
Which of the following products may contain up to 9.09% additives, including whine, sherry, and caramel coloring?
B. Canadian blended whisky
What is Green Spot?
C. Irish pot still whiskey
Which of the following areas is located farthest south?
B. The Isle of Mull
Where is Sullivans Cover Single Cask Malt Whisky produced?
D. Australia
Which of the following is a 100% grain-based whisky produced in India?
A. Amrut
Which of the following products does not need to be stored in wood barrels?