American Whiskey

Question 1

What year was the “Whiskey Excise Tax” introduced in the US?

Answer 1

1791

Question 2

What conflict was a result of the Whiskey Excise Tax in the US

Answer 2

The Whiskey Rebellion

Question 3

What was the ‘original’ brand of bourbon created by George Garvin Brown in 1870?

Answer 3

Forester (Old Forester)

Question 4

When was Old Forester created and who was the creator?

Answer 4

George Garvin Brown in 1870

Question 5

What US Senator created the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897

Answer 5

E.H. Taylor

Question 6

What are the production requirements for Bourbon Whiskey?

Answer 6

1. Must be made in the US
2. Must be distilled at or below 80% abv
3. Must be stored in charred, New American Oak at no more than 125 proof
4. Must be bottled at a minimum of 40% abv

Question 7

What is backset?

Answer 7

Acidic residue from the 1st distillation of Bourbon

Question 8

What is Sour Mashing?

Answer 8

Backset is put back in the fermenter to use in the next batch of mash. Acidity in the backset helps to balance the alkaline nature of local water, which can interfere with the yeast.

Question 9

Unique type of still sometimes used in the second distillation of bourbon

Answer 9

Doubler or Thumper

Question 10

Bourbon that is bottled without any dilution

Answer 10

cask-strength or barrel-proof

Question 11

Specific production requirements for ‘Kentucky Bourbon’

Answer 11

1. Must be produced in Kentucky

2. Aged for a minimum of 1 year in Kentucky

Question 12

Six types of American Whiskey that may be labeled as ‘Straight Whiskey’

Answer 12

1. Straight Bourbon
2. Straight Rye
3. Straight Corn
4. Straight Wheat
5. Straight Malt
6. Straight Rye Malt

Question 13

Minimum aging requirement for American Straight Whiskeys

Answer 13

At least 2 years in charred, new oak barrels (with age statement); four years in charred, new oak barrels is required if no age statement on bottle.
Exception: for corn whiskey, barrels must be used or uncharred

Question 14

Two standards that are specific to Tennessee Whiskey

Answer 14

1. Must use the Lincoln County Process

2. Must be produced in Tennessee

Question 15

What is the Tennessee House Bill 1084 and when was it passed?

Answer 15

A bill defining Tennessee whiskey; 2013

Question 16

Tennessee distillery that is exempt from the charcoal filtration requirement

Answer 16

Benjamin Pritchard

Question 17

What type of whiskey is Old Overholt and why is it notable?

Answer 17

American Rye whiskey; founded in 1810 and survived Prohibition, when rye largely disappeared

Question 18

Required mash bill for American Rye Whiskey

Answer 18

minimum 51% rye

Question 19

Required mash bill for American corn whiskey

Answer 19

minimum 80% corn

Question 20

Requirements for American Whiskey to be “Bottled-in-Bond”

Answer 20

1. Product of one distilling season
2. Product of one distillery and one distiller
3. Stored in a federally bonded warehouse under gov’t supervisionm for a minimum of 4 years
4. Bottled at 100 proof

Question 21

Define: American Light Whiskey

Answer 21

American whiskey distilled at a higher proof (160 to 190) and stored in used or uncharred containers

Question 22

Define: American Spirit Whiskey

Answer 22

Neutral spirits combined with 5% to 20% whiskey

Question 23

Terms used on the label for “white whiskey”

Answer 23

White dog, new-make, unaged whiskey, white lightning

Question 24

Minimum required aging for Canadian whiskey

Answer 24

3 years in wood

Question 25

What grain was traditionally used as a flavoring agent in almost all of Canadian whiskey?

Answer 25

Rye

Question 26

What is another term used for Canadian Grain whiskey?

Answer 26

Base Whiskey

Question 27

Define: Flavoring Whiskey

Answer 27

Canadian whiskey made with a high percentage of single grain

Question 28

Allowed percentage of additives in Blended Canadian Whiskies

Answer 28

9.09%

Question 29

Tagline for Nova Scotia’s Glenora Distillery

Answer 29

North America’s 1st single malt distillery

Question 30

Explain the Lincoln County Process

Answer 30

• New-make spirit is filtered through a deep bed of sugar maple charcoal to remove some of the lighter congeners, creating a smooth texture and full, robust flavor
• bed of charcoal can be more than 10ft deep
• Takes 1-several weeks

Question 31

What is the purpose of a doubler or thumper?

Answer 31

• Doubler: addition to a pot still that receives the low wines and drives them into a chamber with a heated liquid. An interaction concentrates the alcohol and refines unwanted congeners
• Thumper: type of doubler that receives vapors before they become low wines. Vapors are driven into a layer of hot water that is kept between the boiling point of alcohol and water. Vapor continues through water to become high wine and heavier alcohols (tails) are captured in water.