CSP Single Malt & Blended Scotch Categories 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which still type is exclusively required for the production of single malt Scotch whisky?
- Column (Coffey) still
- Pot still (Correct answer)
- Hybrid still
- Lomond still
Correct answer: Pot still
Single malt Scotch whisky must be distilled in copper pot stills — column stills are not permitted for this category.
Question 2: Compass Box's 'Great King Street' is an example of which Scotch category?
- Single malt
- Single grain
- Blended malt
- Blended Scotch whisky (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Blended Scotch whisky
Great King Street Artist's Blend is a blended Scotch whisky containing both malt and grain whiskies from multiple distilleries.
Question 3: Under the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, what is the maximum distillation strength (ABV) for single malt Scotch whisky?
- 80% ABV
- 94.8% ABV (Correct answer)
- 96% ABV
- 70% ABV
Correct answer: 94.8% ABV
Single malt Scotch whisky must be distilled to less than 94.8% ABV to preserve the aroma and taste from the raw materials.
Question 4: Which of the following blended malt expressions is produced by Johnnie Walker's parent company using only single malts?
- Johnnie Walker Green Label (Correct answer)
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- Johnnie Walker Double Black
Correct answer: Johnnie Walker Green Label
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a blended malt (vatted malt) made from single malts from Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila.
Question 5: Whyte & Mackay's Shackleton blend is based primarily on which style of Scotch whisky?
- Blended grain Scotch whisky
- Blended malt Scotch whisky (Correct answer)
- Single malt from the Speyside region
- Blended Scotch whisky
Correct answer: Blended malt Scotch whisky
Shackleton Blended Malt is a blended malt Scotch whisky containing no grain spirit, recreating the style found on Shackleton's Antarctic expedition.
Question 6: What term describes the 'head blender' at a major Scotch whisky house responsible for maintaining flavor consistency across blended expressions?
- Master Distiller
- Master Blender (Correct answer)
- Cellar Master
- Spirit Master
Correct answer: Master Blender
A Master Blender oversees the selection and proportioning of malt and grain whiskies to maintain the consistent house style of a blended Scotch brand.
Question 7: If a Scotch whisky label states '12 Years Old,' what does this age statement legally guarantee?
- The average age of all whiskies in the blend is 12 years
- The oldest whisky in the blend is 12 years old
- The youngest whisky in the blend is at least 12 years old (Correct answer)
- All whiskies in the blend are exactly 12 years old
Correct answer: The youngest whisky in the blend is at least 12 years old
By law, an age statement on Scotch whisky indicates the age of the youngest component in the blend or vatting.
CSP Single Malt & Blended Scotch Categories 3
Which still type is exclusively required for the production of single malt Scotch whisky?