Other Whiskey Areas

Question 1

What are the requirements for Canadian Whisky?

Answer 1

Made from a mash of fermented cereal grains
Aged in small wood containers for no less than three years.
Be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada
Bottled at no less than 40% ABV
Can be labeled Canadian Whiskey, Canadian Rye Whisky, or Rye Whisky.

Question 2

What amount of Rye is required in Canadian Rye Whiskey?

Answer 2

None.

Question 3

What is a Grain Whisky in Canada?

Answer 3

Sometimes called a base whisky, like the light whisky distilled in the US. Usually used in Canadian Blended Whisky.

Question 4

What is Flavoring Whisky?

Answer 4

Whiskies made with a high percentage of a single grain, stored in charred oak barrels. Most often used in Canadian blended whisky.

Question 5

What is Canadian Blended Whisky?

Answer 5

Generally comprised of base grain and flavoring whisky. May contain up to 9.09% other ingredients.

Question 6

Why were Canadian Whisky producers originally allowed to add other spirits and wines as flavorings?

Answer 6

To help compete in the US market against US blended Whiskey.

Question 7

What is the difference in regulations regarding Canadian Whisky for export versus for domestic consumption concerning flavorings?

Answer 7

There are no restrictions for Canadian Whisky sold in the domestic market as long as long as it has “the aroma, taste and character generally attributed to Canadian Whisky. However, to be exported as “Canadian Whisky” the flavorings must constitute no more than 9.09% of the spirit.

Question 8

What are some other ingredients that may be added to Canadian Blended Whisky?

Answer 8

Sweetener
Caramel Coloring
Sherry
Wine

Question 9

What is the world’s best selling brand of Canadian Whisky?

Answer 9

Crown Royal.

Question 10

Who currently owns Crown Royal?

Answer 10

Diageo.

Question 11

What is the most frequent grain used to create a base whisky for Canadian Whisky?

Answer 11

Corn

Question 12

How is the mash produced for Canadian Whisky?

Answer 12

Typically, each grain is processed separately. They are cooked and enzymatic hydrolysis is completed using exogenous enzymes (except for 100% malted barley mashes).

Question 13

Do Canadian whiskies generally have mash bills?

Answer 13

No. Each grain is usually processed separately and blended later.

Question 14

Is the base or flavoring whisky generally distilled to a lower strength in Canadian Whisky production?

Answer 14

The flavoring whisky is distilled to a lower strength for more flavor and aromas.

Question 15

How are base whiskies distilled in Canadian Whisky production?

Answer 15

Using column stills.

Question 16

Are there any restrictions on the type of still used in the production of Canadian Whisky?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Are there any restrictions regarding the distillation strength of Canadian Whisky?

Answer 17

No, as long as it does not qualify as a neutral spirit.

Question 18

When and where was the first commercial malt whisky distillery opened in Japan?

Answer 18

1923 in Yamazaki Japan (a suburb of Kyoto)

Question 19

What was the first Whisky Distillery in Japan?

Answer 19

Suntory Yamazaki

Question 20

Who was Shinjiro Torii?

Answer 20

The founder of the Suntory. A successful wholesaler selling wine and pharmaceuticals.

Question 21

Who was Masatak Taketsuru?

Answer 21

The first distiller at Suntory distillery in Japan. Trained at Hazelburn in Campbeltown, Scotland.

Question 22

What is Nikka?

Answer 22

The company founded by Masataka Taketsuru after he left Suntory, has two distilleries.

Question 23

What other style of whisky is Japanese most similar to?

Answer 23

Scotch Whisky.

Question 24

What is Kirin?

Answer 24

A large Japanese Whisky distillery.

Question 25

What are some processes in whisky production unique to Japan?

Answer 25

Clear, almost transparent worts. Do not sell to other distillers - if a blend, will be created from own company.

Question 26

What are the requirements for Japanese Whisky?

Answer 26

Base ingredients limited to malted grains (must use some), other cereal grains, and water from Japan. Saccharification, fermentation and distillation in Japan. Aged in Japan in wood for 3+ years Must be distilled to less than 95% ABV Bottling must take place in Japan. Minimum ABV of 40%

Question 27

What is Mizunara?

Answer 27

The Japanese term for Quercus Mongolica, the Asian species of oak used for some Japanese whiskies.

Question 28

What is different about Quercus Mongolica?

Answer 28

It is prone to leaking and not ideal for cooperage. However, it is valued for the aromas it can give a whisky, such as sandalwood and cedar.

Question 29

Why do Japanese malt whisky distilleries have a range of pot stills of varying designs?

Answer 29

Since there is trade in stock between companies, each company must make its own different types of whisky for blending purposes.

Question 30

What ingredient are grain whiskies in Japan typically made from?

Answer 30

Corn with malted barley.

Question 31

What types of blends are made in Japanese Whisky production?

Answer 31

Blends based solely on malted whiskies, or malt and grain whiskies.

Question 32

If a whisky made in Japan does not meet the requirements to be Japanese Whisky, what may it be labeled as?

Answer 32

World Blends or World Whisky

Question 33

Who sets the guidelines for determining what can be called Japanese Whisky?

Answer 33

The Japan Spirits and Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA)

Question 34

What was the first brand of Taiwanese Whisky?

Answer 34

Kavalan

Question 35

What is the brand name of a whisky produced by the state-owned Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation?

Answer 35

Omar Whisky

Question 36

Who produces Kavalan Whisky?

Answer 36

King Car Group (Taiwan)

Question 37

What are some of the best selling brands of Indian Whisky?

Answer 37

Officer's Choice McDowell's No. 1 Royal Stag Imperial Blue

Question 38

Who was the first Indian producer to make a true grain-based whisky?

Answer 38

Amrut Distilleries in 2004

Question 39

Where is Amrut Distillery located?

Answer 39

Bangalore, India. Amrut is produced in Kambipura, India

Question 40

Who was Neelakanta Jagdale?

Answer 40

The founder of Amrut Distilleries.

Question 41

What does Amrut mean?

Answer 41

"Nectar of the Gods" or company translation "Elixir of Life"

Question 42

What is Amrut made from?

Answer 42

100% barley, including some peated imported from Scotland.

Question 43

How is Amrut Whisky produced?

Answer 43

Double distilled in large pot stills, aged in oak for 4 years or longer.

Question 44

What is John Distilleries?

Answer 44

An Indian distillery that produces high quality grain-based whisky.

Question 45

What is Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky?

Answer 45

An Indian whisky made from 100% Indian barley. Double distilled in traditional copper pot stills aged 3-5 years in American Oak barrels.

Question 46

What is Brilliance Whisky?

Answer 46

An Indian grain whisky aged in ex-bourbon barrels.

Question 47

Who was Bill Lark?

Answer 47

Opened Lark Distillery in Tasmania, first whisky production in Australia.

Question 48

Which state in Australia has the largest concentration of whisky distilleries?

Answer 48

Tasmania (more than 20)

Question 49

How many whisky distilleries are in New South Wales?

Answer 49

More than 10

Question 50

What is Sullivans Cove Single Cask Malt Whisky?

Answer 50

An Australian whisky (from Tasmania) that won the World Whisky Award (usually won by Scotland or Japan) in 2014.

Question 51

What are some brands of whisky from New Zealand?

Answer 51

Oamaruvian Manuka Smoke Old Hokonui Whisky

Question 52

What is Hokonui Moonshine?

Answer 52

A New Zealand moonshine made on the South Island from the 1870s, by a Scottish widow named Mary McRae.

Question 53

What happened to Hokonui Moonshine?

Answer 53

The illegal whisky was produced from 1872 until the mid-1930's when equipment destroyed by local authorities. Currently made according to original recipe as Old Hokonui Whiskey.

Question 54

What are some whisky producers in Mexico?

Answer 54

Pidre Almas Sierra Norte Absolo

Question 55

What grain are Mexican whiskies usually produced with?

Answer 55

Heirloom corn varieties.