Chapter 5: European Whiskeys

Question 1

Minimum required aging for Scotch Whisky

Answer 1

Three years in oak casks (in Scotland)

Question 2

Five categories of Scotch Whisky

Answer 2

• Single Malt * Single Grain * Blended Malt * Blended Grain * Blended Scotch

Question 3

Grain bill and distillation requirements for Single Malt Scotch

Answer 3

• 100% malted barley * Pot still distillation * Produced at a single distillery

Question 4

Grain bill and distillation requirements for Single Grain Scotch

Answer 4

• Malted barley + other grains * Any method of distillation * Produced at a single distillery

Question 5

Definition of Blended Malt Scotch

Answer 5

A blend of two or more Single Malt Scotches produced at more than one distillery

Question 6

Definition of Blended Single Grain Scotch

Answer 6

A blend of two or more Single Grain Scotches produced at more than one distillery

Question 7

Definition of Blended Scotch Whisky

Answer 7

A blend of one or more Single Malt Scotches and one or more Single Grain Scotches (from more than one distillery)

Question 8

Regulations regarding enzyme use (in grain preparation) for Scotch Whisky

Answer 8

Must be accomplished only by endogenous enzyme systems, meaning no added enzymes are allowed

Question 9

Compact vegetation (rich in carbon) often used as a heat source for kilning (in Scotland)

Answer 9

Peat

Question 10

Typical aromas derived from the use of peat

Answer 10

Seaweed, tar, smoke, medicinal (“Peat Reek”)

Question 11

Traditional malting process (involving rakes or shovels) practiced by a few Scotch distilleries

Answer 11

Floor Malting

Question 12

Cupola-shaped ventilator hood often seen atop Scotch distilleries

Answer 12

Doig Ventilator

Question 13

Five recognized regions (geographical indications) for Scotch Whisky

Answer 13

• The Highlands * The Lowlands * Speyside * Islay * Campbeltown

Question 14

The term Speyside G.I. is (technically) a subregion of ____

Answer 14

The Highlands

Question 15

Location (G.I.) of the Dalmore, Glenmorangie, and Dalwhinnie Distilleries

Answer 15

The Highlands

Question 16

Location (G.I.) of the Bladnoch, Cameronbridge, and Glenkinche Distilleries

Answer 16

The Lowlands

Question 17

Location (G.I.) of the Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Glenlivet Distilleries

Answer 17

Speyside

Question 18

Location (G.I.) of the Springbank Distillery

Answer 18

Campbeltown

Question 19

Location (G.I.) of the Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig Distilleries

Answer 19

Islay

Question 20

5 islands included the Highlands G.I.

Answer 20

Mull, Jura, Skye, Lewis, Orkney (+ Raasay and several others not mentioned in the S.G.)

Question 21

The use of a specific type of barrel in the final stages of aging in order to enhance certain flavors

Answer 21

Wood finishing

Question 22

Amount of spirit in each cask lost to the “angel’s share” each year (according to the SWA)

Answer 22

2%

Question 23

Two sets of laws that define Irish Whiskey

Answer 23

Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, Technical Standards of 2015

Question 24

Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Malt Whiskey

Answer 24

• 100% malted barley * Pot still distillation

Question 25

Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Grain Whiskey

Answer 25

• Maximum of 30% malted barley * Continuous distillation is required

Question 26

Grain bill and distillation requirements for Irish Pot Still Whiskey

Answer 26

• Mash bill: Minimum 30% malted barley + minimum 30% unmalted barley, up to 5% grains other than barley * Batch distilled in pot stills

Question 27

Definition of Blended Irish Whiskey

Answer 27

• Two or more different types of Irish Whiskey; allowed (but not required) to contain whiskey from more than one distillery

Question 28

Source of the “leathery” aromas in some Irish Whiskeys

Answer 28

Unmalted barley

Question 29

Unique style of Irish Whiskey produced by the Cooley Distillery’s Connemara Brand

Answer 29

Peated (Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey)

Question 30

The truth about Irish whiskey and triple-distillation

Answer 30

Irish whiskey is ‘traditionally’ distilled three times, but this is not required by law

Question 31

Traditional Irish grain-based spirit drink, awarded a PGI in 2008

Answer 31

Irish Poitín PGI