CSP Scotch Whisky History & Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 replaced which earlier set of regulations?
- The Scotch Whisky Act 1988 (Correct answer)
- The Spirits Act 1971
- The Finance Act 1823
- The Customs & Excise Act 1952
Correct answer: The Scotch Whisky Act 1988
The SWR 2009 superseded the Scotch Whisky Act 1988 and its associated orders, providing a more comprehensive and updated legal framework.
Question 2: Which category of Scotch Whisky must be made exclusively at a single distillery using malted barley and pot stills?
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Correct answer)
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Scotch Whisky
Correct answer: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be produced at a single distillery using only malted barley, water, and yeast, distilled in pot stills.
Question 3: The phylloxera epidemic of the 1880s devastated European vineyards and contributed to what trend in Scotch whisky?
- Surge in Scotch exports as brandy became scarce (Correct answer)
- Decline of pot still distilleries
- Introduction of sherry cask maturation
- Creation of the blending industry
Correct answer: Surge in Scotch exports as brandy became scarce
When phylloxera destroyed French vineyards and devastated brandy and Cognac supplies, Scotch whisky filled the gap and gained massive popularity, especially in England.
Question 4: What does the Geographical Indication (GI) status for Scotch Whisky primarily protect?
- The association between Scotch's characteristics and its Scottish origin (Correct answer)
- The recipe of individual distilleries
- The right to use the word 'whisky' globally
- The ownership of distillery equipment
Correct answer: The association between Scotch's characteristics and its Scottish origin
GI status protects the link between Scotch Whisky's reputation and its origin in Scotland, preventing non-Scottish producers from calling their product Scotch.
Question 5: Which of the five SWR 2009 categories can contain whisky from multiple distilleries but must use only malted barley?
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (Correct answer)
- Blended Scotch Whisky
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
Correct answer: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from two or more distilleries, using only malted barley.
Question 6: In what year did the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) take its current name and form?
- 1942 (Correct answer)
- 1912
- 1965
- 1988
Correct answer: 1942
The Scotch Whisky Association was formed in 1942, growing out of earlier industry bodies to become the principal trade association for Scotch whisky producers.
Question 7: Which type of cask is NOT explicitly approved for Scotch Whisky maturation under SWR 2009?
- New charred oak casks (Correct answer)
- Ex-bourbon barrels
- Ex-sherry butts
- Ex-port pipes
Correct answer: New charred oak casks
SWR 2009 requires maturation in oak casks of a maximum 700 litre capacity; new charred oak is permitted, but the rules emphasize previously used casks being more traditional.
CSP Scotch Whisky History & Regulations 3
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 replaced which earlier set of regulations?