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Whisky (or whiskey) (from Irish "uisce beatha", "water of life") is an
been aged in wooden barrels.
Scotland, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey (with an e; plural whiskeys) is
used for the spirits distilled in Ireland and the United States; however, there
are exceptions. Kentucky, for example, usually spells its product "whisky".
A mnemonic used to remember which spelling is used is that "Ireland" and
"United States" have at least one "e" in their names, while "Scotland,"
"Canada" and "Japan" do not.
International law reserves the term "Scotch whisky" to those whiskies
produced in Scotland; whiskies produced in other countries in the Scotch
style must use another name. Similar conventions exist for "Irish whiskey,"
"Canadian whisky," and "Bourbon Whiskey." In North America, the
abbreviated term "Scotch" is usually used for "Scotch Whisky." In England,
Scotland, and Wales, the term "Whisky" almost always refers to "Scotch
Whisky", and the term "Scotch" is used by itself.
The Welsh version is wysgi. The name is derived from Gaelic uisge beatha
(water of life). (Other countries also have their own "water of life": also the
Scandinavian Akvavit, whose name derives from the Latin aqua vitae, or the
Italian Grappa)
Irish whiskey is typically distilled three times from a mash of several grains.
Scotch whisky is typically distilled twice, either from barley malt alone (see
single malt whisky), or from barley malts and other grain malts which are
then mixed together. Kentucky whisky, called Bourbon, is normally only
distilled once, as are most other American and Canadian whiskeys.

Whisky production began in grain-growing regions (the same regions where

beer was being produced) whereas the distillation of brandy developed in
regions producing wine. The first traces of distilled barley go back to the
13th century. In those times, whisky was not considered as a pleasure like
nowadays, but people thought it was a marvelous medicine, helping to heal
all kinds of diseases. It was used as an ointment as well as a drink.
"Water of Life" in Gaelic. The name evolved to become Usquebaugh, then
Uisge and finally Whisky.
The famous historian and chronicler Raphal Holinshed wrote the following
about the results of distillation of malted barley in his "Chronicles of
England, Scotland and Ireland" in the 16th century:
"Being moderately taken, it slows the age, it cuts phlegm, it lightens the
mind, it quickens the spirit, it cures the dropsy, it heals the strangulation, it
pounces the stone, its repels gravel, it pulls away ventositie, it keeps and
preserves the head from whirling, the eyes from dazzling, the tongue from
lisping, the mouth from snuffling, the teeth from chattering, the throat from
rattling, the weasan from stiffing, the stomach from womblying, the heart
from swelling, the belly from wincing, the guts from rumbling, the hands
from shivering, the sinews from shrinking, the veins from crumpling, the
bones from aching, the marrow from soaking, and truly it is a sovereign
liquor if it be orderly taken."
The first whisky distillery to gain a licence to produce was the Old
Bushmills distillery, granted by James I in 1608.

Malt whisky consists of whisky made from 100 percent malted barley; malt
whisky from one distillery is called single malt to distinguish it from
blended varieties. The grains used to make whisky include barley in Ireland,
Scotland, Canada, and the United States, rye in Canada and the United
States, and corn in the United States. Pure pot still whiskey is made in
Ireland from a combination of malted and unmalted barley. Various types of
straight whiskey, such as Rye whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, and Bourbon
whiskey which are produced in the U.S. are aged in charred, oak barrels.
Blended whisky is made from a combination of any of the above whiskies
with the similar grain whisky or neutral grain spirits, which are much less
expensive to produce than the other types of whisky. Blends will almost
always identify the type of base whisky used, ie. blended Scotch, blended
Canadian, or blended Bourbon. Light whiskey is a style of American
whiskey made up almost entirely of neutral grain spirits, with small amounts
(typically less than 5 - 10 percent total volume) of straight whiskey and
sherry added for flavor and coloring.
At one time much of the whiskey produced in the U.S. was "Bottled-inBond" according to the dictates of an 1898 Act of Congress; this practice has
been largely discontinued, because one of the requirements of the Act was
that such whiskey be produced at 100 U.S. alcoholic proof (50% alcohol by
volume). Whiskey this potent is currently rare in the U.S., partially because
of changing public tastes but also because an alcoholic content so high is
illegal in many countries, limiting the export market for it.

The origins
question are drastically opposed depending on the native country of the
person to whom you ask.
then in Scotland.

The Egyptians are known to have practised the distillation of perfumes 3000
from the Arabic al-koh'l, koh'l being a dark powder from pulverized
antimony and used as an eye make up.


progressively through Europe, notably in Ireland and in Scotland under its
Gaelic name of Uisge Beatha or Usquebaugh, which will eventually
literally miraculous which were justifying its name, were attributed to the
and was consumed for its mere virtues as opposed for pleasure.

In his "Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland" published in 1577,

Raphael Holinshed describes as follows the incomparable virtues of Uisge
Beatha :
"Being moderately taken,
it slows the age,
it cuts phlegm,
it lightens the mind,
it quickens the spirit,
it cures the dropsy,
it heals the strangulation,
it pounces the stone,
its repels gravel,
it pulls away ventositie,
it keeps and preserves the head from whirling,
the eyes from dazzling,
the tongue from lisping,
the mouth from snuffling,
the teeth from chattering,
the throat from rattling,
the weasan from stiffing,
the stomach from womblying,
the heart from swelling,
the belly from wincing,
the guts from rumbling,
the hands from shivering,
the sinews from shrinking,
the veins from crumpling,
the bones from aching,
the marrow from soaking,
and truly it is a sovereign liquor
if it be orderly taken."
A remedy definitely miraculous and most indispensable !

Whilst Irishmen and Scotsmen were distilling and double-distilling

Armagnac and Cognac from fermented wines with the same techniques. In
originated - a kind of rough beer or a wine - the triple advantage of allowing
preservation without problem, of being more economical to transport and of
being more palatable.

Uisge Beatha
distillation of whisky in a document from the Scottish Exchequer Rolls
mentioning "Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make
on develop steadily but not without events, governing instances waiting little
idea was immediately taken over by the Scottish Parliament who will decide
effect the first taxation measures.

and governments representatives confront each other. This epic, rich of
apogee during the course of XVIIIth.

global market.
Excellent whiskies are made by similar methods in other countries, notably
tastes of Scotland.
"The best Scotch whiskies taste of the mountain heather, the peat, the
seaweed. They taste of Scotland, more obviously than even Cognac tastes of
its region or the best Tequila of its mountain soil"
distilling was already a well-established practice.


that time.

finally adapted to fermented mashes of cereals in countries where grapes
medicinal purposes, being prescribed for the preservation of health, the
Surgeon Barbers in Edinburgh was granted a monopoly over the
manufacture of aqua vitae - a fact that reflects the spirits perceived
medicinal properties as well as the medicinal talents of the barbers.
better still design, the dissolution of the monasteries contributed to an
The increasing popularity eventually attracted the attention of the Scottish

alien in both their language and their inhibiting intent. Smuggling became
and the illicit spirit was, on occasion, transported by coffin - any effective
Clandestine stills were cleverly organised and hidden in nooks and crannies
Scotland was being swallowed painlessly and with pleasure, without
contributing a penny in duty.
extensive acres some of the finest illicit whisky in Scotland was being
make it profitable to produce whisky legally.
in return for a license fee of 10, and a set payment per gallon of proof
smugglers of old.
firmly on the world map.
Whisky produced in the distinctive copper pot stills. The lighter flavored
of Scotch Whisky to a considerably wider market.

The second major helping hand came unwittingly from France. By the
the time the French industry recovered, Scotch Whisky had replaced brandy
as the preferred spirit of choice.
Since then Scotch Whisky, in particular blended whisky, has gone from
strength to strength. It has survived USA prohibition, wars and revolutions,
economic depressions and recessions, to maintain its position today as the
premier international spirit of choice, extending its reach to more than 200
countries throughout the world


The History of Whisky Timeline



First written record of whisky


Guild of Surgeon Barbers, Edinburgh granted charter to

sell whisky


Raphael Holinshead writes his Chronicles of England,

Scotland and Ireland and extols the value of uisge beatha


First recorded export of whisky to Ireland


License granted to produce whiskey at Bushmills Distillery,

Northern Ireland


Robert Haig establishes his distillery


First duty on whisky introduced by Act of Scottish



Robert Boyle describes his new hydrometer


First duty on alcoholic strength of whisky


Ferintosh Distillery burnt down by supporters of James ll


Gilcomston Distillery, Aberdeen founded


Kilbeggan Distillery, reputedly built in Ireland


Glenturret Distillery founded


Justerini & Justerini sell whisky in London.

Bowmore Distillery founded.


John Jameson started distilling in Dublin


Strathisla Distillery founded


Bridge of Don Distillery completed


Tobermory Distillery on Mull founded


Highland Park, Ardbeg and Glen Garioch start distilling


Glenburgie Distillery founded


Sikes hydrometer adopted.

Laphroaig Distillery founded.


Teaninich, Duntocher and Lagavulin Distilleries open


Licensing of Distilleries


Glenlivet takes out license


Edradour, Scotland's smallest distillery founded


First patent for a continuous still awarded to Robert Stein.

James Allardes of Glendronach takes out a license.


William Teacher opens his first grocers shop


Lagg Distillery, Arran founded


The Chivas dynasty founded


Glenfarclas Distillery opens


Dailuaine Distillery founded


Black Bottle is introduced


VAT 69 is launched by Sanderson


Glenfiddich Distillery founded


Balvenie Distillery opens


Famous Grouse Whisky appears for the first time


Dufftown Distillery opens


Tomatin and Dalwhinnie founded


Pattisons blending company goes bankrupt and many

distilleries forced to close


Johnny Walker Red Label launched


Teacher's introduce their new cork


Ballantine's is bought by Hiram Walker





Tullibardine Distillery is rebuilt


Tormore, the first new distillery to be built in the 20th

century in Scotland.
Whisky rationing in the UK ceases.


Deanston Distillery opens in an old cotton mill designed

by Richard Arkwright


Drumguish Distillery produced its first spirit


500th anniversary of whisky production in Scotland.

Arran Distillery founded.


when it first began some sources place it as early as the 6th Century when
travelling monks on their return to Ireland brought with them the knowledge
of distillation.
the distance past, enabling many hundreds of years of experience and
process in Ireland is many hundreds of years old....
The following pages cover some of the recorded history of the production of
Irish Whiskey, or you can find out some information about the various
distilleries in Ireland through the Distilleries
Uisce Beatha"
Production of Irish Whiskey, "Uisce Beatha" meaning "Water of life" in
Irish, was prevalent in the 16th century. Elizabeth I was apparently quite
fond of it but missed the opportunity to raise extra revenue by placing a tax
on distillation. The opportunity was not lost forever as on Christmas day
in1661 the then Government introduced a tax of 4 pence on each and every
gallon of Whiskey distilled.
By 1785 the tax on whiskey stood at one shilling an tupence the last straw

operation in Ireland. Many of these producing "Poitien" or Poteen which is

illicit whiskey. Some of these distillers decided to distil legally and tried to
raise the capital to set up larger distilleries of these by far the most
successful were the four big Dublin distillers: They were John Power, John
Jameson, George Roe and William Jameson.

Barley, water, yeast and fire !
The making of whisky can be done in different manners, depending in
particular to the geographical origin of production. The main differences are
related to the raw material, which is always a cereal, and on the type of
distillation which may be either "batch" distillation in a pot still, or
continuous distillation in column stills.

This allows for the making of different types of whisky corresponding to

various definitions, each offering their specific character, the main ones
being Blended whisky, Single Malt whisky and Grain whisky.
The most famous whiskies are often issued from the distillation of malted
barley in pot stills. Such is the case in particular of Scotch Pure Malts, of

which we will follow the main steps of making.

To produce a Malt Whisky, you need barley, water, yeast, heat and (much !)
This process can be broken down in Six main steps :
1 - Malting
2 - Milling
3 - Mashing
4 - Fermentation
5 - Distillation
6 - Ageing
Many factors have an influence on the quality and character of whisky :
characteristics of malt (Origin of barley, malting process), quality of water,
type of yeast, shape of stills, conducting of distillation, origin and quality of
casks used for ageing, ambient air being "breathed" during many long years
by the spirit through the cask's wood. each of theses elements play a role,
and if combination of these parameters can vary to infinite, very few are
these which allow for a good whisky.

If you ask to a Scottish distiller which, in his opinion, are the most important
factors, chances are that he will reply that the key elements are the quality of
his water and the shape of his stills. This is effectively true, even if in reality
things are much more complex than that. Beyond the experience
painstakingly accumulated by generations of distillers and the resulting
mastery, the making of whisky still depends to a certain extent of a
mysterious alchemy which escapes any analyse or reasoning.

Even if today's distillers benefit from analysing tools which enable them a
better understanding and an improved control of the process, achieving the
"marvellous" balance in the combination of all the factors being involved
remains a particularly delicate art in which Scotsmen and Irishmen are the
undisputed masters.

One of the consequences of the complexity of this art is that the variety of
characters to be found among whiskies is definitely comparable to the one
that can be observed among wines.
This is precisely this richness which makes this spirit so unique and so
fascinating !

After it has been harvested, barley contains starch which is a non
fermentiscible sugar. The process of malting is aimed at transforming this
starch in a fermentiscible sugar which itself will be able to be transformed
into alcohol.

To start with, barley is soaked in water for two or three days before being
spread as a layer approximately twenty to thirty cm thick on the malting area
made as a wide flat concrete surface. This is where its germination will start,
lasting for about eight days.

will have
to be
times a
day with
shovels so as to allow steady and uniform germination, and its temperature
will be controlled permanently. Once the starch has been transformed into
sugar, germination will be stopped through the heating of the barley in a kiln
during 20 to 48 hours.

Heat will be provided

coal and to a varying
of peat. the smoke of
to the malt a
of very specific type
in the finished
whiskies being those

by the burning of
degree by the burning
the latest will impart
character and aromas
which will be found
product, the peatiest
from the island of

Nowadays, the majority of malts are produced in industrial malting plants,

where the process take place in large horizontal steel drums including a
perforated bed on which lays the barley, turning on themselves and through
which vaporized water then hot air are spread.

The malt is then ground in a mill containing two or three pairs of steel
rollers and transformed into grist. The latest must consist of about 10% flour,
20% husks and 70% "middles" or actual grist to allow for a satisfying

Grist is then mixed with hot water in the mashing machine which pours it
into the mashtun, which capacity can be in excess of 25.000 litres. Three
successive waters, with temperatures varying from 63 to 95C, are used to
produced a sugary liquid known as wort.

The mashtun possesses a double bottom finely perforated which will allow
the wort to be drawn off through the underback at the same time as it will

retain the solid particles known as draff. Those will be taken away at the end
of the process and are excellent food for cattle.

The last water used for mashing will be directed to a tank and used as the
third water of the next mashing. Wort will then travel through a heat
exchanger to be cooled to about 20C, to prevent yeast cells which will
ferment it from being killed.

Traditional mashtuns may be enclosed by a copper dome so as to preserve

heat. They are nowadays very often superseded by lautertuns which allow
for a better extraction of sugars contained in the malt.


Wort is the pumped into the washbacks which are large and open
fermentation vessels, which can hold up to 70.000 litres and be as high as 5
or 6 m. They may be covered by detachable panels and are usually made of
Oregon pine.

Some distilleries use fully closed vessels made of steel which are easier to
clean.Yeast is added, being either distillers yeast or a mixture of the latest
with brewer yeast, and will start fermentation. The action of yeast on wort's
sugar will produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. Wort will bubble, and may
even in some occasions generate strong vibrations of the washback itself in
spite of its impressive size.

After about 48 hours, bubbling and fermentation are over and the wort has
been transformed into wash, an alcoholic liquid of 7 to 8% vol. and not
unlike a sort of crude beer, which is pumped into the wash charger.

This is the process which is at the heart of whisky making. It consists
essentially in separating the alcohol contained in the wash from the water,
taking advantage of the fact that alcohol boils at a lower temperature than
water, at about 80C. Distillation comprises two stages accomplished in two
stills varying by their capacity and by their shape.

First distillation is done in the wash still which capacity maybe reach 25 to
30.000 litres and will transform the wash into low wines at about 21% vol.
Originally heated by a naked flame, usually from the burning of coal or gas,
the majority of stills are nowadays heated by coils placed inside them and
through which steam circulates. Evaporated alcohol rises up to the upper
part of the still, the swan neck, and then through the lyne arm after which it
enters the condenser in which alcoholic vapours will transformed into liquid.
Traditional condensers were made as coils immersed in large open wooden
vessels and cooled by water flowing through them.

Nowadays the vast majority of distilleries are equipped with tubular vertical
condensers offering improved calorific efficiency.

The low wines are kept in the spirit charger, wastes of the first distillation
known as pot ale being conveyed to a dark grain plant to be transformed into
cattle food.
The second distillation takes place in the spirit still which usually has a
capacity equal to about two third of the wash still's. This is where the
stillman's art expresses at its best, when he must retain only the middle cut,
eliminating the heads which contain too much high volatility alcohols
running at about 80% vol., and the tails comprising the heavy components.
As the distillation progresses the alcoholic strength of the flowing distillate
diminishes regularly : the moment when the stillman stops collecting the
middle cut or heart of run is called the cut, and will usually happen when the
hydrometer will read about 62/65% vol. If the cut is made too late, too high
a proportion of the tails will result in an unbalanced whisky with unpleasant
aromas. To the contrary, if the cut is made too early, the spirit will be
deprived from some of its components indispensable to achieve a whisky
with satisfying character. One will then obtain a product without major
default, but without real interest and personality either.
Speed of distillation also has a direct influence on the quality of the
collected spirit.

The latest which is perfectly colourless is at about 70% vol. and is pumped
into the spirit receiver. The stillman has to do all his operations by
intervening on the spirit safe, built with a copper frame holding plate glasses
and into which lead all pipes linking the stills to the various holding tanks. It
is usually a beautiful object duly padlocked under the control of Custom and
Excise, the stillman not being allowed to have any direct contact with the
product flowing from the stills.

For controlling the process, the stillman uses hydrometers and can check the
purity of the spirit in verifying if it does not get cloudy when mixed with
Heads and tails will be pumped and kept in the low wine charger to be
redistilled in the spirit still at the same time as the low wine intended for the
next distillation. Waste of distillation known as spent lees will be thrown
away or treated.
Some whiskies, notably in Ireland and in the Scottish Lowlands, are subject
to a triple distillation process, which delivers a spirit of a higher alcoholic
strength at about 85% vol.

Before being transferred into casks, the newly made spirit will have its
strength reduced to 63,5% vol. with demineralised water. The cask being
used are usually casks having been previously contained Bourbon, and are
used either as they come or after being rebuilt as hogsheads in Scottish
They will usually be kept on site for ageing or in a centralized warehouses
together with other spirits from a same company or group.

Last stage of the process of whisky making, ageing is at the same time the
longest one and one of the most important. The origin and the quality of
casks have a determining role in the end result, as well as, even if to a lesser
extent, the location of the warehouse. The quality of he air, its temperature,
its humidity, its coastal character or not, have an influence on the ageing

The nature of the warehouse itself has its importance, in particular

depending whether it is more or less isolate. For instance, it is generally
admitted that warehouses with earth ground provide the best results as they
maintain higher humidity level. As a matter of fact, during ageing some
alcohol evaporate through the wood of the casks with losses of about 2% per
year, this is what is called the "Angel Share". In a humid warehouse the loss

of spirit will materialize as a decrease of the alcoholic loss, which will

advantage the obtaining of a high quality whisky. In a dry warehouse, this
loss will materialize through a diminution of volume, with in extreme cases
a rising of the alcoholic strength, and will deliver a dryer spirit. Altogether,
losses are lower in dry warehouses than they are in a damp ones, the latest
which provide the best results are also the most costly.
Temperature also has its influence on ageing, if it is higher maturation of the
whisky will progress faster.

It is only after three years of ageing in cask that spirit is entitled to be called
whisky, but one usually considers that it is only after 8 years that a malt
whisky reaches real maturity. Some can reach their optimum at the age of 10
or 12 years, many are those which will take advantage of further maturation
up to 15 years or possibly beyond. If some of them may become exceptional
at the age of 20 or 25 years, others might suffer of staying too long in a cask,
their character ending up in fading away and aromas directly imparted by the
cask becoming too preponderant.
Last of all, one should not forget the ultimate stage in the long process of
whisky making which is bottling. The reduction, which is the operation by
which the alcoholic strength, initially at around 60% vol, is brought down to
drinking strength - in most cases 40 or 43% vol - is much more delicate than

one usually imagines. Quality of filtration has also an important effect, in

particular depending whether it is a chill or non chill filtration process.


and experience.
Basically to distil whiskey the distiller requires starch in sufficient quantity
sugars are released during the fermentation process

The first step in the process is known as Malting, this will release the starch
in the barleycorn by controlled germination. Traditionally the barley is
steeped in water for up to 2 days the water being changed several times
during this period, the water used in the last steeping is heated to help start

the germinating process.

The barley is then spread on a malting floor and turned daily to allow the
barley to germinate. As germination progresses the starch within the
barleycorn releases some of its sugars. It is at this stage that the germination
is halted by drying the malted barley in a closed kiln ready for the next stage
of the process.

The malted barley is mixed with un-malted barley prior to being passed
through a mill to be roughly ground into grist The grist is then mixed with
water in a mash tun where it is slowly stirred. The addition of water allows
the natural sugars to dissolve in the water which is drained off this liquid is
called "wort"

The wort containing the dissolved sugars from the barleycorn is now
pumped into a set of vessels commonly known as "washbacks" into the wort
is added yeast. This causes the a reaction with the sugars to produce an
brown coloured liquid. When the fermentation process has run its course the
liquid ceases to foam and bubble at which point it is ready to be pumped to
the stills for distillation

The distilling process is where the alcohol which has a lower boiling point
than water is separated from the fermented liquid or wash
from the washback. Traditionally Irish Pot still whiskey is
distilled three times in copper stills to ensure a smooth and
delicate spirit
Traditional Copper Pot Stills
1. The wash is heated in the first still (Wash still)
and condensed into low wines
2. This then goes to the second still (Low wines and
Feint still) where more impurities are removed and
feints are collected.
3. The feints then go to a third still (Spirit still)
where a further refining of the spirit takes place The
result is the production of a colourless spirit which has a high alcohol
It is this third distillation that gives "Irish" its different taste which is purer
and lighter than Scotch Whisky which is distilled twice. At the Midleton
distillery in Co. Cork depending on the desired outcome the spirit may have

been distilled as many as 5 times. The distilled spirit at this stage still has a
long journey ahead of it before it can be truly called whiskey.

Having been successfully distilled the required number of times the spirit is
filled into wood casks and left to mature for a legal minimum of three years,
however more often than not it is usually more with eight, ten, or more years
required for some of the top brands.
It is during this maturation process that the magic that is Irish Whiskey takes
place. The clear spirit over time takes on the character of the cask in which it
is stored. The casks may have been used previously to store sherry bourbon
or rum although new oak casks are also used. While maturing in sherry
casks the alcohol's extract the sherry residue that has soaked into the wood,
or whilst maturing in charred bourbon casks the spirit will extract some of
the chemicals in the wood of the cask.
It is all of these factors along with temperature humidity and general storage
conditions plus the length of time the whiskey is left to mature that
contribute to the final product.

Prior to bottling the matured whiskey is vatted or "married" as it is
sometimes referred to In this the final stage of the distilling process. The
purpose of vatting is to fuse together many casks of whiskey in order to
produce as consistent a quality and flavour as possible . This is the art of the
blender, however Irish Whiskey producers have a historical disdain for
blended whiskey and even today with a few exceptions the vatting process
for brands such as Power's or Paddy will take only two or three days.

Bottling at the Cooley Distillery

Only with very specialised whiskeys such as Midleton Very Rare or
Redbreast will the casks be vatted for up to a full month prior to bottling. In
comparison Scotch whiskey may be vatted or married for a year or more.
This is said to reflect the importance of blending in Scotch as opposed to the
theory in Ireland where it is the distiller's art that has the greater influence on
the whiskeys final taste.


Manufacturing process

a) Malting
Irish Whiskey differs from Scotch in the malting stage. In the making of
Scotch whisky, malted barley is dried over peat fires. Thus allowing
smoke from the peat to penetrate the barley, This is what gives scotch
whiskies their distinctive smokey flavor. In the making of Irish Whiskey
malted barley is dried in closed ovens. The barley never comes in contact
with smoke, so the true malted barley flavor shines through with no

b) Mashing

The process of grinding the grain into grist and then mixing it with water
to produce wort are the same for Irish and Scotch Malt whiskeys
c) Fermentation
Once again the same basic process applies to both Irish and Scotch
Whiskeys. Yeast is added to convert the liquids' sugars into alcohol
c) Distillation
During this stage the alcohol with a lower boiling point than water is
steamed off. The shape of the still contributes to the final character of
the finished product and in Ireland the stills are generally larger than
Scottish ones. Generally, Scotch whiskies are distilled only twice. Irish
Whiskeys, however, are usually but not always triple distilled. Because
each stage of distillation increases the purity and smoothness of the
whiskey, This is what makes Irish Whiskey particularly pure and
e) Maturation
Once again the process of making Irish or Scotch is similar in that during
the final stage of the process the whiskes is transfered intto casks to
mature for the required number of years, three is the legal minimum, but
some whiskeys are left for many years more.



How should whisk(e)y be spelled ?

Whiskey, with an "e" is how the generic word is spelled when
unconnected to a brand name. Most Irish and American distillers also
use this spelling. Scottish and Canadian products are however spelled
without the "e" as in whisky.

Alcoholic proof is a measure of how much ethanol is in an alcoholic
beverage, and is approximately twice the percentage of alcohol by volume
(ABV, the unit that is commonly used today).
This system dates to the 18th century, and perhaps earlier, when spirits were
graded with gunpowder: a solution of water and alcohol "proved" itself
when you could pour it on a pinch of gunpowder and still ignite the wet
powder. If it didn't ignite, the solution had too much water in it and the proof
was considered low. This process led to the nickname "firewater", coined by
Native Americans.
A "proven" solution was defined as 100 degrees proof (100). This has since
been found to occur at 57.15% ethanol. This is still used as the British
definition. A simpler ratio to remember is 7:4 - 70 proof is 40% alcohol by

A hydrometer was traditionally used to measure the precise proof of a spirit,

a practice which has gone through many formal changes.

Alcohol is produced by yeast during the process of fermentation (and the

make beer bottles explode or blow their tops off). The amount of alcohol in
because that's the point in the fermentation process where the alcohol
'superyeast' strains have become commercially available, which can ferment
up to 20%.

increasing the alcoholic content of the solution and killing off all other
a higher alcohol concentration than that because stronger alcohol has been
mixed with them.
Stronger liquors are distilled after fermentation is complete to separate the
from. The idea of distillation is that when you heat a mixture of liquids, the
point than either one of them, so what distills off first is that mixture that is
95% alcohol and 5% water. Thus a distilled liquor can't be stronger than
scientific or industrial purposes. 100% ethanol doesn't stay 100% for very
long, because it is hygroscopicit absorbs water out of the atmosphere.


Types of Scotch Whisky


To be classed as Scotch whisky must be both distilled and matured in

There is a good reason for this ...
Scotch whiskies derive part of their flavour from the air in the locations
where they are stored during maturation. For example some people swear
that they can taste the sea from the strong, distinctively flavoured malt
whisky from the Island of Islay.
In accordance with the Scotch Whisky Act of 1988, Scotch must be
matured in oak barrels of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres. The
American Bourbon industry demands that barrels may be used only
once so these are now sold on to Scotch whisky distillers. Spanish
Sherry casks and Port casks are also used. All of these contribute
distinctive flavours to the whisky.
Scotch Whisky is commonly sold in single malt, pure malt and
blended versions. Malts are generally more expensive than the blends
and are produced entirely from malted barley.
It should be noted that the production of all types of Scotch Whisky does not
allow for any additives or enhancers. Only cereals (barley, wheat, maize
etc) water and yeast may be used, although a small amount of caramel (burnt
sugar) is permitted at the point of bottling this ensures a consistent colour
of the finished product.
Blended Scotch Whisky
By far the most popular worldwide, blended Scotch whisky accounts for
the majority of the Scotch that is consumed. Blends are created from many
different malt whiskies and grain whisky. Typically there would be about
80% grain and 20% malts in a blend with as many as 20 (but usually less
than 15) different malts being used. Blended whiskies are popular because
skilled master blenders can produce individual blends with consistent and
distinctive characteristics. These are sometimes blended with particular
markets in mind. For example at the end of the prohibition period in
America (1933) some distillers created blends specifically for the reemerging market there.

Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Single grain Scotch whisky is the product of a single distillery and made
from unmalted barley, corn (maize) or wheat, water and barley. There are
only a few single grain whiskies on sale to the general public and they are
often hard to find. Almost all grain whisky goes into the blending process to
create blended Scotch. The production process for grain whisky is
continuous process and therefore production volumes are much higher than a
typical malt distillery. This is reflected in the fact that there are only seven
grain distilleries operating in Scotland at present and they can cope with the
required volume.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Single malt Scotch whisky is so called because it consists
strictly of malt whiskies from a single distillery. These must
not contain any whiskies from other distilleries and it must be
distilled in copper pot stills.
Single malts are produced in many areas of Scotland. Perhaps
the best known (and the area with the highest concentration) is
Speyside. Malt whiskies tend to be classified by there area of origin. There
are five distinct areas, namely Speyside, Highland, Lowland Campbeltown
and Islay, but it is not true to say that all whiskies from one area are the
same, they may share certain characteristics, but no more than that.
It is worth noting that only about 5% of the todays malt whisky is bottled.
The rest goes into blends.
In malt whisky distilling only malted barley may be used. Distillers may
not use any other grains or fermentable products. Malt whiskies are
produced in pot stills. The pot stills used here at the Loch Lomond Distillery
are quite unusual. Four of these have rectifying heads and two have

traditional swan necks. This range of stills allows us to produce a total of

eight different single highland malt whiskies.
Single Cask Malt
A single cask malt is one which is a bottling from a single cask. Since most
of the American Bourbon casks that are used are 200 litres, and by the time
the angels have taken their share, this means that not much more than 400
bottles will be available from each cask (depending on the age and type of
cask used). The angels share is what evaporates during the maturation
stage so it will be dependent on the time in storage.

While single cask malts are very exclusive their consistency cannot be
controlled by mixing the malts from different cask so dont always expect
them to taste the same as other whiskies from the same distillery. Some of
these single, single malts are also bottled at cask strength, with no water at
all being added. This means that they often have 50% alcohol content or
more, with some being as high as 60%. Most distillers would recommend
that whisky be consumed at approximately 28 to 30%, typically 3 parts
whisky to 2 parts water. This allows all of the flavours (some of which are
dissolved in the alcohol) to be fully appreciated.
Pure Malt
Pure malt whisky or vatted malt is a blend of malt whiskies from different
distilleries. The term Pure Malt was coined to suggest exclusivity but it
really just means that the bottle contains no grain whiskies. Clearly all
Scotch malt whiskies are by definition pure malts or 100% Scotch malts.
This is not to say that pure malts are inferior. Once again the master blender
can marry together a number of malts in various quantities to produce a
distinctive whisky with its own character and traits.

Loch Lomond Single Blend Whisky

Never heard of it? Having read the above do you
think that it is a misnomer? Well, here at the
Loch Lomond Distillery we also produce the
Loch Lomond Single Blend whisky.
This is a unique product, not found elsewhere.
We are the only single distillery to produce both
grain whiskies and a number of different malt
whiskies on the same site, albeit that the stills are
in different buildings.
This allows us to use the word single in relation to our Loch Lomond
Single Blend.

Postscript - The Scotch Whisky Act 1988

and recognised in European Community legislation since 1989. The
current UK legislation relating specifically to Scotch Whisky is The Scotch
Whisky Act 1988 and the Orders made under it. which came into effect in
June 1990 and superseded that part of the Finance Act 1969. as subsequently
amended, defining Scotch Whisky.
For the purposes of The Scotch Whisky Act 1988 "Scotch Whisky''
means whisky
(a) Which has been produced at a distillery in Scotland from water and
of which have been
(i) Processed at that distillery into a mash;

(ii) Converted to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme

systems; and
(iii) Fermented only by the addition of yeast;
(b) Which has been distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than
(c) Which has been matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak casks
of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres, the period of that maturation being
not less than 3 years;
(d) Which retains the colour. aroma and taste derived from the raw materials
used in, and the method of, its production and maturation; and
(e) To which no substance other than water and spirit caramel has been
The Scotch Whisky Act 1988 prohibits inter alia the production in Scotland
of whisky other than Scotch Whisky. The Scotch Whisky Act 1988 and
European Community (EC) legislation both specify a minimum alcoholic
strength of 40 per cent by volume, which applies to all Scotch Whisky
bottled and/or put up for sale within or exported from the Community.

Types of Irish Whiskey

There are two different types of Irish whiskey, malt whiskey
distilled in a traditional manner in pot stills and grain
whiskey made in modern distilleries using patent stills. Over
90 percent of all whiskey consumed is a blend of pure malt
whiskey and grain whiskey.
As a rule of thumb the more expensive the whiskey the
higher the percentage of malt.

Glasgow is renowned for its history and the famous spirit of
Glasgow. A lowland single malt.

Ardbeg close to the ancient Kildalton Cross, the white-washed, wavewashed buildings of Ardbeg lie on the dramatic, rugged southerly shores of
Islay. Ardbeg is one of the most welcoming distilleries to visit.

Bowmore Distillery one of the oldest in Scotland, has stood

on the shores of Loch Indall, on the Hebridean island of Islay
since 1779

As any whisky lover knows, the precious water of life needs time to mature
before its charms can be savoured.

Glengoyne is located just 35 minutes drive from Glasgow

and Stirling and 70 minutes from Edinburgh.
Come and visit us at The Glenlivet Distillery. You will
find us in one of the most remote and beautiful of Scotland's inland glens. It
lies in the heart of Speyside situated high up in the Banffshire Highlands

At Glenmorangie Distillery the gleaming swan-necked copper stills - the

tallest in Scotland - play a vital role in the making of one of Scotland's
favourite dram.
At the heart of Speyside on the banks of the river lossie is
the Glen Moray Distillery. Originally built as a brewery in
1815, Glen Moray was converted to a distillery in 1897
and today continues to produce this distinctive smooth Speyside Malt.

Hebridean specialize in the creation and manufacture of

Scotch whisky liqueurs. We are a small family business
based in Helensburgh in Argyle on the West Coast of Scotland.

House Distillers owns and operates 5 Highland malt distilleries.

Each produces excellent spirit of distinctive character
sought after by blenders and single malt connoisseurs

evidence that illicit distilling took place as far back as 1502. A
unique Single Malt which truly represents the island of Jura, its
land, water, climate and people.

Pulteney is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. It stands

in the suburbs of Wick, about eighteen miles from John O'Groats

Speyside, in the Scottish Highlands.
The exceptional quality of our single malt is due to the fact that The

Balvenie Distillery retains and nurtures a high level of craftsmanship that

other malt whisky producers no longer employ.

Dalmore Distillery sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth overlooking the
rich and fertile Black Isle, the "big meadowland", from which it takes its

Tullibardine Distillery nestles at the foot of the Ochil

Hills in Perthshire, where the Highlands of Scotland
begin. These hills are renowned for the crystal purity
of their spring water.

The Speyside Distillery is situated West of Aberdeen and

South of Inverness, four miles from Kingussie, along the
B970. The buildings themselves nestle in a beautiful location at the foot of
Glentromie by the River Tromie where it enters the Spey., the site dedicated to promoting
Scotland and its national drink. Central to experiencing scotch whisky in
Scotland is a stay at one of Scotland's Scotch Whisky Embassies.


Tullamore Dew
Tullamore no longer exists as a distillery however its name
lives on in this its most famous whiskey. It is now produced
for Tullamore Dew Co. By the Irish Distillers Group at the
Midleton Distillery Co. Cork.
Tullamore Due is probably the grainiest and least Irish of the
popular Irish Whiskeys, with its smooth sweet flavour it
makes a good aperitif.

Black Bush
Now Owns by the Pernod Ricard group and part of the Irish Distillers Group
Bushmills Distillery promotes itself as being the Oldest licensed Distillery in
the World, remembered by the year of 1608 being displayed on every bottle
Black Bush is a premier blended whiskey with a malty nose whose nutty
flavours are rounded off by a sherry sweet finish.

Green Spot
Distilled by John Jameson & Son for Mitchell & Son Green
Spot pot still has been produced since the turn of the 19th

century. It is currently the only brand produced and sold under name
specifically for an independent wine merchant in Ireland. The last from a
range of "Coloured Spot" whiskeys.
A hard to find whiskey, It is a rich and complex pot still whisky notable for
an abundance of pot still character

Bushmills 16 Year old Single Malt

A new addition to the stable of Bushmills whiskey this offering
was first released in the 1996. Notable for its "Three wood finish"
(referring to the fact that the whiskey has been influenced by three
different types of cask during the maturation process.
An excellent malt whiskey and a must for any connoisseur. A rich
whiskey with subtle sweetness not to be missed.

Bushmills Original
No one knows for certain just how old Bushmills "Original" or
"White Bush" as it is sometimes known, has been available.
The Old Bushmill Distillery lost most of its records during the
war when their offices were burned. It is the best known of the
Bushmills brands.
A blended light fresh bodied whiskey with a pleasant malty
sweet finish.

Paddy Old Irish Whisky

Produced by the Cork Distillers Company Paddy old Irish
Whiskey carried the rather unwieldy name of "Cork

Distilleries Company Old Irish Whiskey" It was renamed after Paddy

Flaherty a sales rep for the company. Another Blend from the Irish Distillers
Paddy Old Irish Whiskey is Light and fresh being one of the softest of all
Irish Whiskeys due to the low percentage of pot still content.

John Powers
John Powers and sons began production in 1791 in 1886
they were one of the first to start to bottle their whiskeys
until then almost all drinks were sold from the barrel.
Powers is probably the No1 Irish whiskey sold in Ireland.
Originally a pure pot still it is now produced at the Midleton
Distillery in Co. Cork as a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys
Power's is an Irish favourite with its fruity and spicy flavours giving way to
a long lingering finish.
Locke's Irish Whisky
Made by the Distillery at Kilbeggan. Although distilling
began in 1757 Locke's Irish Whiskey is named after the
19th century family who took over the running of the
Distillery in Kilbeggan in 1843. The Distillery finally
closed in the early 1950's an was literally turned into a
pigsty. Today it is managed by the Kilbeggan Development Association
Locke's is a smooth quality blended whiskey, its malty sweet taste being
complemented by dryer fresh notes.


Scotch Whisky Cocktails & Punches

Aberdeen Angus
2oz Whisky, 1oz Drambuie, 1tsp Lime Juice, 1tbs Honey
pour on top and stir.
Shake with ice, strain onto ice with twist of lemon, drop in peel.
2oz Whisky, 1tsp Sugar, 1tsp Lemon Juice, Ginger Ale
11/2oz Whisky, 1tsp Chartreuse, 1tsp Crme De Menthe
Shake with ice, strain, add ice.

Shake with ice, strain, add ice.
Highland Fling
11/2oz Whisky, 3oz Milk, 1tsp Sugar
Shake with ice, strain, add ice, dust with nutmeg.
21/2oz Whisky, 1 Lemon, Ginger Ale
Pour in whisky, drop in spiral of lemon peel, add ice and ginger ale.
Shake with ice, strain, add ice and a cherry.
Rob Roy
1oz Whisky, 1oz Sweet Vermonth, 1 dash Angostura Bitters
Mix in glass with ice, add cherry.
Flying Scot
Shake with ice, strain
Het Pint
This drink was originally served on New Year's morning.
eggs, 1/2 pint whisky
becomes clear and sparking.
Christmas Cheer
before serving.
lime, freshly grated nutmeg, little freshly groud cinnamon

milk, cover bowl and leave in fridge for 2 hours.
nutmeg and cinnamon.

Christmas Toddy
Makes 8 glasses
whisky, 1.1litres boiling water
and whisky, top with boiling water, stir well.

Irish Whiskey Cocktails & Punches

Dirty Irish Whiskey recipe
1 part Bailey's Irish cream
1 part Jameson Irish whiskey
Mix in a mixing cup with ice and shake. Pour through a strainer, and drink.
28% (56 proof)
Serve in: Shot Glass
Dublin Doubler recipe
1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1 1/2 oz Irish cream
ice cubes
Mix irish whiskey, irish cream, and ice cubes. Shake to chill. Serve with or
without the ice, it is very good either way.
28% (56 proof)
Serve in: Old-Fashioned Glass

Irish Catholic recipe

3/4 oz Jameson Irish whiskey
1/4 oz amaretto almond liqueur

Pour ingredients in equal parts into a shot glass, and serve.

37% (74 proof)
Serve in: Shot Glass

Little Leprechaun recipe

1/3 oz Irish whiskey
1/3 oz Goldschlager cinnamon schnapps
1/3 oz creme de menthe
Pour the Irish whiskey into a shot glass. Add the Goldschlager cinnamon
schnapps, then the creme de menthe, and serve.
36% (72 proof)
Serve in: Shot Glass
Nutty Irishman #2 recipe
1 oz Irish whiskey
1 oz Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
32% (64 proof)
Serve in: Old-Fashioned Glass

Atholl Brose Pudding
Serves 4
pint db cream, 3fl oz whisky, 3tbs runny heather honey, 2oz toasted
pinhead oatmeal.
Whip cream until holds shape, stir in oatmeal & honey. Chill and just before
serving, mix in whisky.

Orange Whisky Cream

Serves 6
1 packet orange jelly, pint db cream, 5tbs thick orange marmalade, 2tbs
whisky, 2tsp powdered gelatine.
Make up jelly with pint boiling water, pour pint of jelly into bowl, add
gelatine and stir, chill quickly until sloppy consistency, add whisky to
remaining jelly and cool to room temperature, whip the cream but not stiffly,
add marmalade, stir, add to half-set jelly, pour half of mixture into dish and
set rapidly in freezer, when set pour on carefully the whisky jelly, set rapidly
in freezer, pour on remaining cream and refrigerate

Scottish Whisky Fruit Cake

175g currants, 175g sultanas, 110g glace cherries (rinsed, dried, cut into
halves), 75g mixed candied peel (finely chopped), 3tbs whisky, 150g butter
(room temperature), 150g soft brown sugar, 3 eggs (size 1), 225g plain flour,
1tsp baking powder, milk (if necessary), 2 level tbs ground almonds, grated
rind of 1 small orange, grated rind of 1 small lemon, 110g whole blanched
almonds, 3tbs single malt whisky (for feeding !)
18cm square / 20cm round cake tin, greased and lined with greaseproof
The night before-mix fruit, peel and 3tbs whisky, cover and leave.
Pre-heat oven to gas mark 3, 325 F or 170 C.
Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy, whisk in eggs slowly, fold in
sifted flour and baking powder.
Mixture needs to be soft, dropping consistency, if too dry, add a tbs of milk.
Carefully fold in ground almonds, currants, sultanas, cherries, mixed peel,
orange and lemon rinds.
Spoon mixture into cake tin, smooth out, arrange whole blanched almonds
on top.
Place cake in centre of oven for 2-2 hours.
Leave cake to cool in tin for 30 mins, finish cooling on wire rack.
To feed cake; weekly, make small holes in top and bottom of cake with
darning needle and spoon tsps of whisky through holes.
To store cake; wrap in double greaseproof paper and store in foil or airtight
container till needed.

Orange Whisky Butter

125g unsalted soft butter, 125g light muscovado sugar, grated rind 1 small
orange, tsp mixed spice, pinch ground green cardamon, 45ml whisky,
lemon juice

Cream butter and sugar until soft, add orange rind and spices.
Slowly beat in whisky and 1tsp lemon juice.
Spoon into small wide necked dishes.
Cover and store in fridge up to a week.
To freeze-use freezerproof pots, freeze upto 3 months, thaw at cool room

Almond Whisky Mincemeat

Makes about 1.1kg
125g blanched almonds, 125g no-soak dried apricots, 50g dried figs, 50g
stoned dried dates, 350g cooking apples, 225g sultanas, 150g seedless
raisins, 175g shredded suet, 5ml ground cinnamon, 5ml grated nutmeg,
pinch ground allspice, 125g dark muscovado sugar, 300ml whisky, grated
rind and juice of 2 oranges, grated rind and juice of 1 small lemon
Finely chop almonds, apricots, figs and dates.
Peel, core and finely chop apples.
Place in nonmetallic bowl with dried fruit, suet, sugar and whisky.
Stir in grated rind and strained juice of oranges and lemon.
Leave overnight.
Stir mincemeat mixture, pack tightly in sterilised jars.
Store in cool, dry place for 6 weeks to 3 months

Lamb Chops with Fresh Figs and Whisky

Serves 2 - serve on a bed of barley with winter cherries
4-6 baby lamb chops, 1 tbs olive oil, 1tsp butter, 1tbs chopped shallot, 1
clove garlic chopped, 1tsp coarsely ground black pepper, tsp red
peppercorns, 1 quart cups very rich veal stock, cup single malt, 4 fresh
figs (carefully peeled and quartered at room temperature), 4 rosemary stalks,
cup dried cherries (soaked in 6 tbs of slightly warmed whisky for 1 hour),
1/3 cup medium scotch barley, 1 cups water
Bring 1 cups of water to boil, add barley and cup veal stock, cover and
simmer 45 mins/until all liquid is absorbed.
Stir in soaked cherries and peppercorns, reserving 15 cherries for lamb dish,
Saute shallot and garlic in oil and butter over low heat. When soft, remove
half. Raise heat to medium, add chops and cook for 3 mins on each side.
Lower heat, add cup veal stock, black pepper and whisky.

Remove chops and cover, simmer sauce, add salt to taste, add 15 dried
cherries and reduce sauce by about 1/3rd.
Season barley, arrange on plates, arrange chops and figs on barley bed,
spoon sauce over, garnish with rosemary stalks.

Chocolate Whiskey Balls
1 cup pecans
1 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
1 cup confectioners sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup whiskey
powdered sugar for rolling
Grind the pecans and the chocolate wafers coarsely in a food processor and
empty into a large bowl. Mix in the sugar, corn syrup, and whisky very
thoroughly (I use my hands). Shape the mixture into balls the size of a
quarter and roll in powdered sugar. Keep in an airtight container in a cool
place, or freeze on a baking sheet until each is firm and store in tightly
sealed plastic bags.

Tipsy Sweet Potatoes

2-1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup Whiskey
Pecan halves or marshmallow for topping

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except topping.
Spoon into a greased 1-quart casserole. Top with pecan halves or
marshmallows. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly.

Whiskey Sauce
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup bourbon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Combine 2-3/4 cups of the cream with the bourbon and sugar in a mediumsize nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
with the fruitcake.
hours. When ready to serve, warm over low heat.



Please fill in the following details:



Please mention the name of the alcoholic drink most


III- Do you drink whisk(e)y

IV- Which whisk(e)y do you prefer:


VI- Do you know the brand name?

VII- Do you know that whiskies are of two types, if yes then
what are they and what the difference between them is.

QUESTIONNAIRE (Hoteliers and Restaurateurs)


Please fill in the following details:



Largest selling whisk(e)y brand:

III- Which whisk(e)y is sold most Scotch or Irish:

IV- Do you customers know the difference between the two?

Do they know which brand is what?

VI- Spell?
VII- Do they take by brand or type?
VIII- Which is cheaper?



Or alcohol by volume. The strength of an alcohol or

spirit measured as the percentage of pure alcohol
contained in the liquid. For instance, a whisky of 40%
abv. will contain 40% of pure alcohol, the rest being
made up of water mainly plus various congeners.


The minimum age for a whisky in Scotland and Ireland

is 3 years old. The age figuring on the label is always
the one of the youngest whisky contained in the bottle if
it is the result of a blending or a vatting. Once bottled, a
whisky does not mature any more.


See maturation.

Angel Share

The name given to the alcohol which evaporates from

the casks during the ageing process, and amounting to
approximately 2% per year of the cask's content.


The cereal from which Malt is made.


A term refering to a cask in general. Barrel is also often

used to refer specificaly to the traditional American type
of cask with a capacity of about 180 l.


Or Blended Whisky. The result of the blending of Malt

Whisky with Grain Whisky, the latest being largely
predominant in proportion.




A type of cask currently used for the maturation of

Scotch Whisky or Irish Whiskey, with a capacity of
approximately 500 l.

Campbeltown More than 30 active distilleries were to be counted in

Campbeltown at the end of the 19t century. Although
only two are now only 2 currently in being operational,
Campbeltown is still recognized as one of the traditional
Scottish regions for the production of Scotch Whisky.
Cask strength Is said of a whisky which has not been diluted with
water and has been bottled at its original abv when
emptied from the cask.

Or "burning" of the inside of the cask. Not to be

confused with he heating of the staves which enables
their bending when assembling them together for
building the cask. The intensity of the charring will have
a direct influence on the aromas and colour which the
cask will impart to the whisky during its maturation.


The elimination of some congeners by the filtration of

whisky which has been previously chilled to a
temperature more or less close to 0 C. It improves the
clarity and prevents hazing at low temperatures (Which
has strictly no consequence) at the price of the loss of
some aromatic components.

Coffey still

See Patent Still.


The part of the still made as a copper coil or as vertical

tubes, immersed in a flow of cold water, where the
alcohol's vapours running through it are condensed back

to liquid.

Chemical compounds created during fermentation and

distillation which provide to the whisky its character, its
qualities or its defects.


The distillation of grain Whisky in a plates still or Patent

Still working on a continuous process, as opposed to
distillation in Pot Still which is a batch process.


Cooling device into which enters the hot wort drawn

from the mashtun. The wort's temperature will be
lowered to about 20 to 24 C before entering the
washbacks. At higher temperatures, the yeast cells
responsible for the fermentation process would be


The critical moment when the stillman will stop

collecting the Middle Cut, which is the only fraction
kept to become whisky. The alcohol distilled after the
cut is known as tails.


The separation of alcohol and water as being achieved

in a still. Distillation does not create any alcohol, the
latest is produced only during fermentation.
See also an illustrated description of distillation in the
pages covering the making of whisky.


Is said of a whisky having benefited from a finishing, or

second maturation, in a second cask of different origin
and characteristics.


The solid particles laying in the mashtun after the wort

has been drawn off. Draff are a sought-after food for


Officer form H M Customs and Excise who is in charge

of controlling the conformity of operations run by spirit

manufacturers, and of the payment of relevant duty


Generic term for the fractions of distillation which are

put aside to be redistilled eventually. They are the
foreshots and tails, as opposed to the Middle Cut.

Fermentation The transformation of sugar contained in the wash under

the action of yeast, producing alcohol and carbon
dioxide [C6H12O6 > 2 (C2H5OH) + 2 (CO2)] with an
emission of heat.

Spirit as it comes off the still, which has yet to mature

before becoming whisky. Fillings are bought by
companies to let them mature until they will be used for
preparation of the blends.


After its initial maturation carried out in the traditional

finished when it is transferred in a cask of different
origin and characteristics to benefit from a further
maturation. Finishing will produce a Double Maturation
whisky to which it will bring enhanced complexity in
nosing and tasting, it may also provide a new balance to


The first fraction of the second distillation preceding the

Middle Cut, and which is not kept for the whisky.

Grain whisky Whisky produced by a continuous distillation process,
from a wort usually essentially made up from wheat or
maize, including a very limited proportion of malt.
Green malt

Malt which has not yet gone through the kilning stage.


Crushed malt, looking like a kind of flour, which will be

mixed with hot water in the Mashtun to produce the


See Foreshots.

Heart of run

See Middle Cut.


The part of Scotland situated North of the line

Greenock-Dundee, as opposed to the Lowlands. They
are mainly mountainous lands producing Malt Whiskies
which have benefited for a long time of a high


Traditional scottish cask, generally of rather squat

proportion and whose capacity, which somewhat varies
according to the area, is usually about 250 l.

Irish Whiskey Whisky distilled and aged in Ireland for a minimum of 3

An Island, part of the outer Hebrides, producing peaty

whiskies of justifiably very high reputation. A mythical
place for any real lover of whisky.


The last operation during the process of making malt,

during which the green malt will be heated for a rather
long time, in order to stop its germination and bring it
down to a final stage of 3 to 4% of humidity.


A modern alternative to the traditional mashtun,

originating from the brewing industry, and allowing for
a better extraction of sugars contained in the malt, and
therefore an improved yield through the brewing stage.


Name given to the hot water mixed with the grist in the
mashtun during the mashing process.

Low wines

The alcohol produced during the first distillation, with a

strength of approximately 25% abv.


The part of Scotland situated South of the line

Greenock-Dundee, as opposed to the Highlands.

Lyne arm

The upper and bent part of a pot still which connects to

the condenser.


Barley after its starch has been transformed into

fermentiscible sugars.

Malt Whisky Whisky which has been produced exclusively from the
distillation of a wort of malt, usually in pot stills.


The process through which barley is transformed into

malt, by artificially starting up its germination process,
which will eventually be stopped at the kilning stage.
See also the illustrated description of malting in the
pages covering the making of whisky.


The product of the mixing of grist with hot water in the

mashtun, which will eventually become wort when it
will be drawn off at the end of the process.


The process during which the wort is produced, by

mixing the grist with hot water which will dissolve the
fermentiscible sugars .
See also the illustrated description of mashing in the
pages covering the making of whisky.


A device intended to ensure the correct mixing of grist

with hot water when they are poured into the mashtun.


A large circular vessel, usually made of metal, in which

mashing is done. An arrangement of mechanical stirrers
ensures the homogeneity of the wort, which is then
drawn off through a double bottom finely perforated
which holds back the solide particles or draff.


Or ageing. The process through which the whisky

contained in its cask acquires its character. Some
unfavourable components are eliminated through
evaporation, at the same time as take place some
complex exchanges between the spirit and the cask's
wood, which are beneficial to the whisky's character and
See also the illustrated description of ageing in the
pages about the making of whisky.

Middle cut

The only fraction of the second distillation which will

be kept to become whisky, it is collected after the
foreshots and before the tails.

New make

Newly made spirit, yet perfectly clear, which has not yet
been matured and is therefore not entitled to be called

Patent still

Or Coffey Still. A type of still working through a

continuous process. It is composed of an analysing
column and of a rectifying column and is generally used
for the production of Grain Whisky.


Organic compound resulting from the partial

decomposing of plants. Smoke produced during its
combustion at the kilning stage allows the production of
peated malt, which is used to produce whiskies of a
particularly powerful character, which are held in a high
reputation and whose origin is generally the island of


Chemical compounds acquired by malt from peat during

the kilning process. It is responsible for the peaty
flavour of Islay whiskies in particular.

Pot ale

Residues remaining in the wash still at the end of the

first distillation.

Pot still

Device used for batch distillation process, which is a

kind of large copper kettle filled with wash which is
then heated. Alcohol, being more volatile than water,
evaporates first before being condensed. The first
distillation produces the low wines, with a strength of
about 25% abv, and which are then distilled a second
time to produce the spirit, collected at about 70% abv.

Pure Malt

A whisky which has been produced exclusively from a

mash of malted barley.


A mechanical device found in wash stills which are

heated by a direct flame, as opposed to steam. An
arrangement of arms and copper chains scour the bottom
of the still, preventing solid particles form sticking to
the bottom and consequently bringing unpleasant taste
by getting burnt.


Whisky distilled and aged in Scotland for a minimum of

3 years.

Single cask

Whisky which has been bottled from with content

collected from a single cask.

Single Malt

Malt Whisky originating from a single distillery, as

opposed to a Vatted Malt.


The action of spraying the mash by above with hot

water so as to extract all remaining sugars in it. The
resulting part of the wort, rather week in sugar content,
is usually kept in a vessel and used as the first water or
first liquor for the next mashing.

Spent lees

Residues remaining in the spirit still at the end of the

second distillation.


The area of the Spey valley, situated in the Highlands.

The highest concentration of distilleries in Scotland is to
be found here, some of them being among the most
famous one.


The Middle Cut collected from the Spirit Still on the

occasion of the second distillation with a strength of

about 70% abv. It is only after it will have matured in

cask for a minimum of 3 year that it will become
Spirit charger Vessel in which the low wines produced during the first
distillation in the wash still are kept before they are to
be redistilled in the spirit still.

Spirit receiver Vessel in which the Middle Cut collected from the
second distillation is kept, before being diluted to
appropriate strength and put into casks for ageing.
Spirit safe

A kind of safe made up from a copper framework and

through which flows the alcohol coming from the stills.
Closed by the padlocks from he fiscal authorities, it is
nonetheless here that the stillman controls the
characteristics and nature of the alcohol, and depending
on the latest will redirect it to the next stage (Second
distillation, holding vessel).

Spirit still

Pot Still used for the second distillation and in which the
low wines are transformed into Spirit.


Longitudinal pieces of wood which are assembled for

making the body of the cask.


The last fraction of the second distillation, following the

Middle Cut, and which is not kept for whisky.


The intermediate vessel, situated below the mashtun,

through which flows the hot wort before entering the
cooler which will bring it down to the adequate
temperature required for fermentation.

Vatted Malt

Whisky produced from the vatting of Malt Whiskies

originating from several distilleries, as opposed to
Single Malt.


The produce of the fermentation of wort, not unlike a

rustic beer and with a strength of about 7% abv.

Wash still

Pot Still used for the first distillation and in which the
wash is transformed into low wine.


A large circular vessel of important height, made of

wood or of metal, in which fermentation takes place.


Different spelling of whisky, usually associated to

products from Ireland or USA.


A spirit obtained from the distillation of a mash of

cereals at a strength lower than 94.8%, matured for a
minimum of 3 years in an oak cask whose capacity
should not exceed 700 l and bottled at a strength of not
less than 40% abv.


A sweet liquid resulting from the mixing of grist with

hot water once it has been drawn off the mashtun. It will
become wash after it will have been fermented.


Unicellular fungus responsible of the fermentation

process, which lives on sugar and multiplies by
producing alcohol and carbon dioxide.


The final output calculated in quantity of pure alcohol

obtained from one tonne (1000 kg) of malt.

Comparative study
Scotch & Irish Whisk(e)y


Compiled By: - Rajiv Chaudhary

3rd year