Whiskey Basics for BAR (1) General Alcohol Facts

What is the difference between “whisky” and “whiskey”?

“Whisky”: Spelling in Canada, Scotland, and Japan
“Whiskey”: Spelling in the United States and Ireland

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How is the age of a whiskey determined?

The age of a whiskey is the amount of time spent in the cask before bottling

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the 6 types of American whiskey?

Bourbon
Rye
Wheat
Corn
Tennessee
Blended

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Malt whiskey

Made from malted barley
Distilled in an onion-shaped pot still

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Grain whiskey

Made from malted and unmalted barley
Uses other grains in addition to barley
Distilled in a Coffey still

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Vatted malt whiskey

A blend of malt whiskies from various distilleries

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Single malt whiskey

Malt whiskey from one distillery
Usually from several casks and years
Meant for the taster to get a well-rounded taste of the distillery
Commonly named after the distillery

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Blended whiskey

Made from a combination of malt and grain whiskies
Usually a blend of whiskies from many distilleries

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Cask strength whiskey

Rare
Bottled from a single cask
Undiluted by water

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Bourbon

Mostly produced in Kentucky
Must be made in the USA
Must contain at least 51% corn
Must be stored for at least two years in new, charred oak casks
Cannot be distilled to more than 80% alcohol by volume

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Bourbon

Jim Beam
Buffalo Trace
Van Winkle
Maker’s Mark
Woodford Reserve
Wild Turkey

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Tennessee whiskey

Must be produced in Tennessee
Always filtered with sugar-maple charcoal
Takes 10 days to filter

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Tennessee whiskey

Jack Daniel’s
George Dickel Whiskey

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Rye whiskey

Usually blended with other whiskies to add character
Must be at least 51% rye
Distilled at less than 80% alcohol by volume
Stored in new charred oak casks for at least two years
Made in Indiana and Kentucky

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Rye whiskey

Wild Turkey Straight Rye Whiskey
Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year
Sazerac Rye Whiskey 18 year

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Corn whiskey

Must be at least 80% corn
Does not have to be aged in wood
Has to be aged in either un-charred or used bourbon barrels
One of the harshest, cheapest whiskey types

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Corn whiskey

Bush Pilot’s
Shine On Georgia Moon

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the four whiskey types common in Ireland?

Single malt
Single grain
Pure pot still
Blended

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Irish whiskey

Uses barley as a main distilling ingredient
A mix of malted and unmalted grains
Contains grains distilled in a Coffey still
Distilled three times

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Irish whiskey blends

Black Bush
Jameson
Bushmills Original
Inishowen
Locke’s Blend

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Irish pure pot still whiskeys

Green Spot
Jameson 15 Year Old Pot Still
Redbreast

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey?

Irish single malt whiskeys

Bushmills (10, 16, and 21 Years)
Connemara Peated Malt (Regular, Cask Strength, and 12 Years)
Locke’s Single Malt (8 Year)
Tyrconnell

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a popular brand of the following type of whiskey?

Irish single grain whiskeys

Greenore (8 and 10 Years)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey?

Scotch whiskey

Must be distilled and matured in Scotland
Must mature in barrels not exceeding a 700 liter maximum
Must contain no additives other than water and spirit caramel to preserve the color
Must be distilled at less than 94.8% alcohol by volume

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the 5 types of Scotch whiskey?

1. Blended 2. Single grain 3. Single malt 4. Single cask malt 5. Vatted malt

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Blended Scotch whisky

* The majority of Scotch sold worldwide is blended * Averages about 80% grain and 20% malts * Can have up to 20 different malts in one whisky * Each blend has its own distinguished taste

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Single grain Scotch whisky

* Made from the whisky of one distillery * Contains unmalted barley, corn/wheat, water, and malted barley * Rare

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Single malt scotch

* peat * smoky * hints of oak * citrus * hints of maple sugar and tea

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Single cask scotch whisky

* Bottled from one cask * Very rare * Sometimes bottled without water dilution

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Vatted malt scotch

* Made exclusively from malted barley * Contains several malt whiskies * Never contains any grain whisky

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? American whiskey

* Made from a grain mash * Distilled at 90% or less alcohol by volume * Bottled at 40% or more alcohol by volume

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Bourbon

* fruity * sweet * peppery * nutty * woody

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Tennessee whiskey

* smoky flavor * woody * fruity overtones * rich, sweet smell * licorice aroma

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Rye whiskey

* molasses and hickory aroma * vanilla * spiced rum * charred oak * honey * toffee

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Corn whiskey

* No "good" corn whiskey exists * Very harsh initial aroma * Reminiscent of moonshine * Light corn taste

# What are the defining characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Sour mash

* A process of distillation * When a previously fermented mash (grain, water, and malt) is added to provoke the fermentation of a new mash * This mash hybridization is used to manipulate the level of flavor-altering bacteria

# What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey? Sour mash

* Jack Daniel's * Jim Beam * Knob Creek * Maker's Mark * Old Crow * Old Fitzgerald * Wild Turkey

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Blended scotch

* smoky * flavorful * creamy * hint of dried fruit * cedar * leather * peat

# What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey? Blended scotch

* Chivas Regal 12 Year Old * Johnnie Walker Gold * White Horse 12 Year Old * The Famous Grouse Finest * Cutty Sark Original

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Single grain scotch

* citrus * notes of cut grass * woody bitterness * coconut aroma * peppery * hints of chocolate

# What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey? Single grain scotch

* Black Barrel * Cameron Bridge * Carsebridge 45 Year Old * Compass Box Hedonism * Invergordon 42 Year Old * Loch Lomond Organic

# What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey? Single malt scotch

* Aberlour * Balvenie * Glenfiddich * Glenkinchie * Glenlivet * Glenmorangie * Laphroaig * Talisker

# What smells and flavors should you detect in the following whiskey? Vatted malt scotch

* pungent * oaky * peppery * gentle smokiness * sweet

# What are some popular brands of the following type of whiskey? Vatted malt scotch

* Auld Reekie * Blaimhor * Glencoe * Hankey Bannister * Johnnie Walker Green Label * Monkey Shoulder * Old Elgin

In which regions of Scotland is whisky produced?

* Islay * Lowlands * Speyside * Highlands * Campbeltown * Islands

Where is Islay located in Scotland?

Islay is an island west of the Scottish mainland

What distinguishes Islay whisky?

* smoky * peaty * salty * tangy

Where are Lowlands in Scotland?

Southernmost part

What distinguishes Lowlands whisky?

* not very salty * flavorful * spicy * not peaty * smooth

Where is Speyside in Scotland?

Northern Part

What distinguishes Speyside whisky?

* rich flavor * sweet * not peaty * hint of carnations * reminiscent of cream soda

Where are the Highlands in Scotland?

Northernmost part

What distinguishes Highlands whisky?

* very smoky * spicy * fruity * have a dry finish

Where is Campbeltown in Scotland?

On the southern peninsula

What distinguishes Campbeltown whisky?

* nutty * crisp * creamy * salty * peaty * buttery

Where are the Islands in Scotland?

North of mainland Scotland

What distinguishes Islands whisky?

* marine flavors * peaty * smoky * milder version of Islay whiskies

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Aberlour Scotch

* Made in a Sherry cask * Sweet, smooth, and rich, without smoke * Dessert Scotch

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Balvenie Scotch

* Single malt * Single cask * Rich and smooth * Honey taste

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Edradour Scotch

* Single malt * Sherry cask * Tastes like sugared almonds * Smooth, creamy, and light * Hint of smokiness

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Glenfiddich Scotch

* Single malt * Fragrant * Tastes like pear and oak

What are the types (colors of label) of Johnnie Walker whiskies in order of quality?

* Red Label (lowest) * Black Label * Gold Label * Green Label * Blue Label (highest)

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Johnnie Walker Red Label

* Rich, full-bodied blend * According to the Johnnie Walker website, it is a "combination of spicy, smoky malts and lingering, lighter grains"

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Johnnie Walker Black Label

* Blended with over 40 whiskies * Has a fruity, earthy, creamy, vanilla taste

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Johnnie Walker Green Label

* Fresh and distinctive blend of single-malt whiskies * Pepper, oak, and fruit flavors

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Johnnie Walker Blue Label

* Most exclusive Johnny Walker blend * Each bottle is individually numbered * Aromatic and smokey * Tastes like honey, rose petals, sandalwood, and chocolate

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Johnnie Walker Gold Label

* A blend of rare, aged malts from Scotland's best distilleries * Rich, creamy, honey taste

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Dalwhinnie Scotch

* Single malt * Water used in distilling Dalwhinnie is from an exclusive source which lies at a 2,000-foot elevation that no other distillery can use * Sweet, clean, malty, and smokey taste

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Chivas Regal Scotch

* Blend of single malt and grain whiskies * Rich, smooth, multifaceted * Displays harmony between flavors

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Clynelish Scotch

* single malt * crisp, salty, seaweed flavor * traces of pungent smokines

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Glenkinchie Scotch

* distilled in an Amontillado cask * sweetly dry * light and spicy * sherry-like finish

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Oban Scotch

* distilled in a Montilla cask * smooth and bold * zesty * fruity and sweet

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Cragganmore Scotch

* spicy * smoky * complex, yet clean

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Talisker Scotch

* unique and powerful character * spicy * peppery * peaty * smooth and smokey

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Caol Ila Scotch

* subtle peaty taste * robust * sweet * smoky

# What are the distinguishing characteristics of the following type of whiskey? Lagavulin Scotch

* dense * complex and powerful * Scotland's smokiest malt * peaty

Whiskey Basics Flashcards

Do you know your way around a whiskey shelf? Start enjoying one of the finer pleasures of the Western liquor tradition and embark on the discovery of a lifetime. (76 cards)