Scotch Whisky Production & Distillation Flashcards
7 cards from real CSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Scotch Whisky Production & Distillation flashcards as text
What is 'wash' in the context of Scotch whisky production?
Answer: The fermented liquid (approximately 7–8% ABV) ready for distillation
Wash is the fully fermented liquid produced when yeast converts sugars in the wort into alcohol, typically reaching 7–8% ABV before it enters the wash still.
What does the term 'low wines' refer to in Scotch malt whisky distillation?
Answer: The first distillate from the wash still, typically 20–25% ABV
Low wines is the collective name for the first distillate collected from the wash still, including foreshots and feints, which is then redistilled in the spirit still.
What is the significance of 'wood management' in Scotch whisky maturation?
Answer: Controlling the type, size, provenance, and fill history of casks to develop desired flavour profiles
Wood management encompasses decisions about cask species (oak), previous contents (bourbon, sherry, wine), cask size, and number of fills to systematically develop consistent flavour profiles.
In Scotch whisky production, what is the legal minimum time a spirit must mature in oak casks in Scotland?
Answer: 3 years
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 require that all Scotch whisky must mature in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years.
Which of the following best describes the 'Saladin box' in the context of malting?
Answer: A mechanised malting vessel where germinating grain is aerated by rotating screws
The Saladin box is a mechanical malting system where barley germinates in a large box, with rotating screw turners aerating and controlling the grain bed temperature.
What is the primary function of copper in Scotch whisky pot stills?
Answer: To react with sulphur compounds and other undesirable volatiles, purifying the spirit
Copper reacts chemically with sulphur compounds (such as dimethyl sulphide) produced during fermentation, removing them to produce a cleaner, fruitier spirit.
What is 'draff' in a Scotch malt whisky distillery?
Answer: The spent barley husks and solids left in the mash tun after wort extraction
Draff is the spent grain residue — barley husks and solids — remaining in the mash tun after the sugary wort has been drained off, often repurposed as animal feed.