Whisk(e)y 101WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A WHISKEY?•Distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash (beer); usually barley, corn, rye, wheat•Typically aged in wooden barrels
FERMENTATION A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases or alcohol. Fermentation in brewing is the conversion of carbohydrates to alcohols and carbon dioxide using yeasts, bacteria, or a combination thereof.DISTILLATION The action of purifying a liquid by a process of heating and cooling2Fermentation and Distillation
Column Still3Types of StillsPot Still
Mashing4FermentationDay #1Day #2-3Day #4-5+
Barrel Types5Maturation
6CooperageChar - Levels- FilteringHow does this effect the liquid?
7Aging WarhousesWood has flavor!!!- Time- Terroir- Climate- Location - Type of wood- Proof- WaterBeyond the Wood
8Types of WoodAmerican White Oako “Quercus Alba”o Primary – Bourbon, rye, American Styleso One time use in USo Vanilla, Caramel, Butterscotch, HoneyJapanese Mizunara Oako “Quercus Mongolica”o Higher moisture content/unique shape = tougher to work witho More porouso Soft Floral, Coconut, Sandlewood notesEuropean French Oako “Quercus Robur”o Primary – Sherry, Fortified wineso Secondary – Scotch, Irish Whiskey, cask finishingo Dried fruits, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg
Vatting/Blending Single Barrel/Cask Strength Small Batch Chill Filtration Double Barrel Chill Filtration Barrel Strength Cask Strength9Bottling Lingo
Whisky/eyBourbon WhiskeyScotch WhiskyIrish WhiskeyCanadian WhiskyRye WhiskeyJapanese WhiskyIt is all whisk(e)y…IndianTiawaineseAmerican Single Malt
Scotch, Canadian, Japanese = Whisky Bourbon, Rye, American Single Malt, Irish = Whiskey Which popular American whiskey is missing the “e”??11The “e” in Whisk(e)y
THE OFFICIAL AMERICAN WHISKEY•Must be made in the USA•Not necessarily from Kentucky, but a majority is made here•In 1964, Congress made it law- “distinctive product of the USA”•Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn•Aged in new, charred American White oak containers•Bottled at 80 proof (40%) or more•Distilled at less than 160 proof •Barreled at no more than 125 proof•“Straight” bourbon must be aged at least 2 yrs• “Bottled in Bond” – The rule of “4”•Predates the FDA!-1897American Whiskey-Bourbon
RYE WHISKEY Made with at least 51% rye Aged in new oak barrels Long history in America dating back to the colonial era Pittsburgh area was the birthplaceTENNESSEE WHISKEY No regulation but should be made in Tennessee Aged in new oak barrels and mostly corn Lincoln County Process (maple charcoal filtration) disqualifies this as a bourbon Same make up as bourbon (except for the LCP)American WhiskeyStyles
AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKEY 100% malted barley Minimum bottling strength 80 proof and oak aged Copper or pot still distilationCORN WHISKEY Made in America Mash must contain 80% corn Secondary use barrel LIGHT WHISKEY Distilled between 160-190 proof Barreled in new, charred or used barrels Higher bottling strength Common practice amongst moonshinersMoreWhiskeyStyles
Transparency is KEY! No longer a negative term Quality and consistency Common with newcomers 15“Sourced” WhiskeyLegendary MGP Distillery(Now Ross & Squib)
16NOW LETS TASTE!!!
Nose it twice… Lips slightly parted Find your dominant nostril Notice the color Liquid to lips Exhale-prevent the reflux17Nosing/Tasting Whiskey
Chess LankfordWhiskey Specialist/Key Acct Managerclankford@alliedbeverage.com(908) 797-091118Cheers!