The business of whisky Flashcards
(44 cards)
What is the Scotch Whisky Regulations (2009)?
The legislation in the United Kingdom relating to Scotch whisky. This law specifically “provides for the regulation of the manufacture, marketing, movement and labelling of Scotch whisky.”
What are the 4 key areas covered by the Scotch Whisky Regulations legislation?
- the raw materials used
- the distillation process
- maturation requirements
- bottling
Single malt Scotch whisky can only be made from which 3 ingredients?
- water
- malted barley
- yeast
These 3 ingredients must be made into a mash and distilled.
What are the requirements of Scotch maturation according to legislation?
The spirit must be only matured:
1. in Scotland
2. in oak casks no larger than 700L
3. for no less than 3 years.
What ABV must Scotch be bottled at?
No less than 40% Alcohol by Volume (ABV).
What type of whisky can be produced in Scotland?
The Regulations stipulate that the only type of whisky that can be produced in Scotland is Scotch. This prevents differing ‘grades’ of Scotch whisky being produced.
If there were one grade of ‘Scotch whisky’ as per the legal definition and any other form or variation of ‘whisky produced in Scotland’, it would be incredibly difficult to protect Scotch whisky as a unique and distinctive product, both in the UK and around the world.
What is the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)?
The trade body for Scotch whisky formed on April 17th, 1942: the world’s premier whisky, and the UK’s biggest food and drink export. The mission of the SWA is to drive the best possible global business environment for Scotch whisky.
The SWA oversees the laws and regulations that protect and govern the way Scotch whisky must be produced, labelled, packaged and advertised.
SWA’s members represent over 95% of Scotch whisky production, which encompasses over 2,500 brands globally.
Why is it important to have strict regulations surrounding the production and sale of Scotch?
The Scotch whisy industry makes a significant contribution to the Scottish and British economies, as well as contributing to the growth of jobs, cultur and tourism. It is imperative that nothing can jeopardise Scotch whisky’s reputation and quality.
What are the 5 defined categories according to the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009?
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Scotch Whisky
How is Single Malt Scotch Whisky made? What are the ingredients? How is it distilled?
Ingredients: malted barley, water and yeast.
Product of only one malt distillery using pot still distillation.
This means that the whisky has only been produced at one distillery and has been distilled using the traditional copper pot distillation method.
How is Single Grain Scotch Whisky made? What are the ingredients? How is it distilled?
Ingredients: malted and unmalted barley, cereals (maize, wheat), water and yeast.
Product of only one grain distillery using either the traditional pot still distillation method or more commonly continuous distillation.
This means this whisky has only been produced at one grain distillery using either the traditional copper pot distillation method or more commonly column stills (continuous distillation).
How is Blended Malt Scotch Whisky made? What are the ingredients? How is it distilled?
Ingredients: malted barley, water and yeast.
Product of more than one malt distillery, a vatting (mix) of more than one single malt whisky.
How is Blended Grain Scotch Whisky made? What are the ingredients? How is it distilled?
Ingredients: malted and unmalted barley, cereals (maize, wheat) water and yeast.
Product of more than one grain distillery, a vatting (mix) of more than one single grain.
How is Blended Scotch Whisky made? What are the ingredients? How is it distilled?
Ingredients: malted and unmalted barley, cereals (maize, wheat), water and yeast.
Vatting (mix, blend) of one or more malt whiskies and one or more grain whiskies. Product of numerous distilleries.
The Scotch Whisky Associations (SWA) recognises which 5 different whisky producing regions?
- Cambeltown: The smallest of Scotland’s whisky regions. It has only 3 distilleries. Located on the remote and stunning Kintyre Peninsula in West Argyll, it lies between the isles of Islay and Arran.
- Highland (Islands included): Stretching from Orkney in the north to the Isle of Arran in the south, this region takes in the northen isles and most of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Argyll, Stirlingshire, Arran, parts of Perthshire and Aberdeenshire too. It is one of the largest and most diverse whisky regions in terms of whisky style with the widest array of styles ranging from rich and textured to fragrantly floral.
- Islay: Known as the Queen of the Hebrides due to her fertile land, Islay was traditionally the perfect place for whisky distilling due to the ready supply of barley and peat.
- Lowlands: This region is located in the southernmost parts of Scotland, covering much of the Central Belt and the South of Scotland including Edinburgh & The Lothians, Glasgow & The Clyde Valley, the Kingdom of Fife, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
- Speyside: Name for the River Spey, which runs through this area and around which the majority of its distilleries are built.
Note: Despite there being 5 protected regions the Islands are increasingly referred to as a distinct region.
Why is it that the Islands do not have their own separate category in the SWA’s protected regions?
When the SWA named 5 regions, there were only a small handful of island distilleries which hardly justifies a separate category. They were simply referred to as a subcategory of the Highlands. With the opening of distilleries from Shetland to the Outer Hebrides and others, an Island region is certainly justifiable.
What are the “protected regions” and the “protected localities”?
Protected regions:
* Speyside
* Highland
* Lowland
Protected localities:
* Islay
* Campbeltown
* Islands
Where are the different regions located?
The Scotch Whisky Regulations (2009) governs the labeling regulations for the Scotch whisky industry. What information can be found on the bottle of Scotch?
- Brand: The brand/distillery name tells you who made the whisky and will usually be given a lot of space on he label. (e.g. Ardbeg, Bowmore, Cardhu)
- Region: Although not a legal requirement, the label can say in which of the regions or protected localities the distillery is located. The region can suggest a rough idea of style or flavour profile. (e.g. Highland, Islay, Lowland, Campbeltown)
- Category: This tells you what type of whisky is in the bottle as defined by the 5 categories of Scotch according to SWR 2009. (e.g. Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky)
- Age Statement: It is not a legal requirement to put an age statement on the label, but any age statement that is given must reflect the age of the youngest whisky in the bottle. (e.g 10 or 12 years)
- Volume: The amount of liquid that is in the bottle. Scotch whisky is usually bottle at 70cl (700mL).
- Alcohol Content (ABV): The ABV tells you how strong the whisky is. By law, Scotch whisky must be bottled at no less than 40% ABV.
What is an offense under the law of the SWR 2009?
It is an offence to “label, package, sell, advertise or promote any drink as Scotch whisky or Scotch if it is not Scotch whisky.”
Which region produces whisky that is ofter referred to as “Breakfast Whiskies”?
Malts from the Lowlands, due to their typically light, unpeated, floral, citrusy and sweet style.
However, in truth, the suggesion of flavour-by-region is a little outdated and not so relevant anymore.
What is the Angel’s Share?
Each year 1-2% of whisky evaporates as it matures.
The longer a whisky matures, the less there will be in the barrel at the end. By the end of its maturation period, a 20 year old spirit might have up to 40% of its volume.
Many whiskies are aged for a lengthy period. How do distilleries recoup the initial cost of production while they wait for later profits?
Some of the new whisky distilleries turn their pot stills to producing gin - which does not require ageing - to balance their cash flow.
What aspects influence the finalprice of a bottle of whisky?
- Production
- Distribution
- Warehousing
- Packaging
- Marketing
- Salaries
- Trade margin
- Taxes
- Duty
