CSP Scotch Whisky Production & Distillation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'caramel colouring' (E150a) permitted to do in Scotch whisky production?
- Add sweetness to the final product
- Adjust the colour of the whisky without altering its flavour (Correct answer)
- Increase the alcohol content
- Replace the maturation period
Correct answer: Adjust the colour of the whisky without altering its flavour
E150a (spirit caramel) is the only permitted additive in Scotch whisky, used solely to standardise colour between batches without affecting flavour.
Question 2: In grain whisky production using a continuous still, what is the name of the column that strips alcohol from the wash?
- Rectifier
- Analyser (Correct answer)
- Doubler
- Purifier
Correct answer: Analyser
In a Coffey (patent) still, the analyser column strips alcohol and volatiles from the wash before the rectifier refines the spirit to a higher strength.
Question 3: What is the effect of a 'purifier' fitted between the lyne arm and condenser in some Scotch distilleries?
- It filters out peat compounds
- It returns heavier congeners to the still for re-distillation, producing lighter spirit (Correct answer)
- It increases the temperature of the vapors
- It converts feints into usable hearts
Correct answer: It returns heavier congeners to the still for re-distillation, producing lighter spirit
A purifier causes heavier vapour molecules to condense and fall back into the still for re-distillation, resulting in a cleaner, lighter spirit character.
Question 4: What is the approximate ABV range at which Scotch whisky must be distilled (maximum still output strength)?
- Must not exceed 94.8% ABV (Correct answer)
- Must not exceed 80% ABV
- Must be exactly 70% ABV
- Must not exceed 63.5% ABV
Correct answer: Must not exceed 94.8% ABV
The Scotch Whisky Regulations require that the spirit must not be distilled to an alcoholic strength of 94.8% ABV or above, ensuring flavour-contributing congeners are retained.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the 'underback' vessel in a traditional Scotch malt whisky distillery?
- To store finished spirit before bottling
- To collect and hold wort after it drains from the mash tun (Correct answer)
- To cool the spent wash after distillation
- To blend different spirit ages before maturation
Correct answer: To collect and hold wort after it drains from the mash tun
The underback is a holding vessel beneath the mash tun that collects the wort (sugary liquid) drained from the mash before it is transferred to the washbacks for fermentation.
Question 6: In Scotch whisky maturation, what is the significance of the 'angels' share'?
- The portion of spirit retained by the distillery as excise duty
- The volume of spirit lost to evaporation through the cask during maturation (Correct answer)
- The amount of water added at bottling
- The percentage of cask char that dissolves into the spirit
Correct answer: The volume of spirit lost to evaporation through the cask during maturation
The 'angels' share' refers to the 1–2% of spirit lost each year through evaporation as the whisky matures in porous oak casks.
Question 7: Which grain is exclusively required for the production of Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
- Rye
- Wheat
- Malted barley (Correct answer)
- Corn
Correct answer: Malted barley
By legal definition under the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be produced from a mash of 100% malted barley.
CSP Scotch Whisky Production & Distillation 3
What is 'caramel colouring' (E150a) permitted to do in Scotch whisky production?