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74 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Provide interesting facts about the history of distillation. |
- suggested first use in China, Egypt or Mesopotamia for medicinal purposes, essences and perfumes - almost every civilization developed some alcoholic beverage during their early history. For example: - Chinese were distilling rice to make sake (800 BC) - Romans were distilling before 100 AD - west Europe was distilling spirits after Arabs try to conquer (900 AD) |
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What properties allow distillation to occur ? |
Ethanol boils at approximately 80C, whereas water boils at 100C. The different boiling points allows separation to occur upon heating. |
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What is the raw material for distillation? |
Alcoholic wash |
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What are the 3 districts of Armagnac? |
- Bas Armagnac - Tenareze - Haut Armagnac |
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Where are Cognac barrels stored? |
In limousin wood, in paradise warehouses |
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Cognac aging requirements |
VS (***) = 2 years VSOP = 4 years Napoleon = 6 years XO = 10 years |
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What type of soil is dominant in the best Cognac and Armagnac districts? |
Cognac = chalk Armagnac = clay |
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What is the best growing region in Cognac? Poorest? Biggest? |
Best = Grand Champagne Worst = bois ordinaries Largest = Fins bois Smallest = bois ordinaries |
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What can appear on the label of Cognac |
- Cognac - district name - Fine Champagne - VS, VSOP, napolean, XO |
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How does a cognac go from 70% abv to 40% abv? |
- dilution using rain water - Angels share (ie evaporation) |
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What is le part des anges? |
Refers to the Angel's share. Distilled alcohol is lost through evaporation during aging process. |
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What are the aging requirements of Armagnac? |
VS = 2 years VSOP = 3 years XO = 10 years |
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What is the best district of Armagnac? Poorest quality ? Best longevity potential? |
Best = bas Armagnac Age worthy = Tenareze Poor = Haut Armagnac |
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Compare and contrast taste of Cognac and Armagnac. |
Armagnac : Highly flavored More aromatics Lower proof Drier - not sugar adjusted Cognac: Softer Mellow |
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What spirit can grapes produce when distilled? |
Brandy |
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What other grape based distillates are produced? |
- Marc - Grappa - Pisco |
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What is the raw starting material of Marc and Grappa? |
- Grape pomace |
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What spirit can apples produce when distilled? |
Applejack (USA) Calvados (Normandy) |
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What spirit can pears make when distilled? |
Poire Williams |
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What spirit can raspberries make when distilled? |
Framboise |
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What spirit can blue plums make when distilled? |
Quetsch |
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What is the raw material of Mirabelle? |
Yellow plums |
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What spirit can cherries make when distilled? |
Kirsch |
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What spirit does molasses make when distilled? |
Rum |
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What spirit does sugar cane make when distilled? |
French rum |
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What is Fruit Eau -de- Vie? |
Any fruit can be fermented to an alcoholic wash that can be distilled. The fruit spirit can be consumed as is "wasser" or sweetened "geist". Very popular drinks in Eastern and Northern Europe. |
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What are the vital points in whisky production? |
Water - picks up flavors as it flows over land (seaweed, granite, peat, minerals) Barley - fermentable sugars Yeast - concerts sugars to ethanol Stills - shape is important Wood - imparts additional flavor into spirits |
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What is Golden Promise? |
The preferred type of barley for whisky production |
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What are two types of yeast used in whisky production? |
Distiller's yeast Brewer's yeast |
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Which type of yeast imparts more flavor? Distiller's yeast or brewer's yeast? |
Brewer's yeast |
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What type of spirits does a tall neck still produce versus a short neck? |
A tall neck still produces a lighter still. A short neck still produces a fuller, richer spirit. |
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Provide examples of casks used to age and flavor whisky. |
Bourbon casks Sherry butts Port pipes |
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Name the steps of whisky production. |
Malting Milling Mashing & Fermentation Distillation Maturation |
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What is the minimum aging requirement for scotch whisky? |
3 years |
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Describe whisky production process. |
Malting process: the barley is soaked between 48 to 72 hours in water which causes germination. Malting releases enzymes that convert starches to sugars. The grain is then kiln dried to prevent over germination. If done with peat fire, peat flavors will be imparted into the whisky.
Mashing & fermentation - the malted barley is milled. The resulting grist is steeped in hot water in a mash tun. The sweet liquid (wort) is transferred into wash backs where yeast is added. Hours later a light beer, called a wash is produced.
Distillation - the wash is heated in a pot still and vapors rise up swan neck where condensation occurs. The head and tails are discarded. The hearts are collected for maturation. The alcohol is distilled 2-3 times if a pot still is used.
Maturation - Scotch is aged for a minimum of 3 years. Since okay is porous, up to 3% is lost per year to evaporation. Much of the flavor is owed to the barrel. Buttery notes come from Bourbon barrels, sweet flavors come from Sherry butts and raisin flavors come from Port pipes. |
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Name 3 styles of whisky |
Malt whisky Grain whisky Blended whisky
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What are 3 types of malt whisky? |
Single malt Single cask Vatted malt (blended malt) |
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What are the differences between the 3 types of whisky? Malt, Grain & Blended? |
Malt - produced from a single malt (100 % barley). Produced in a pot still.
Grain - produced from barley, corn or other cereal. Produced in a column still.
Blended - a blend of malt and grain whiskeys. Normal ratio is 60/40 for malt to grain. |
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What are the differences between single malt, cask whisky and vatted malt? |
All of the following are made from a single grain, 100% malted barley
Single malt - product of one distillary
Single cask - product of a single distillation. Distillate is immediately called for maturation.
Vatted malts - blends of single malts from more than 1 distillery
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Name the 4 districts of Scotland |
Highlands Lowlands Islay Campbeltown |
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Describe each of the Scottish districts |
Highlands - largest and most diverse Richly aromatic, delicately flavored, well-balanced framework. Elegant with good complexity Islay - pungent and concentrated malt with peaty earthiness.
Campbeltown (2 distilleries) - malts are rich and full with distinct saltiness. Halfway between mainland and Islay.
Lowlands - soft, smooth, understated malts. A faint delivery of peatiness. Often bottled in youth so overwhelming wood flavor. Important region for blending. . Often bottled in youth so overwhelming wood flavor. Important region for blending.
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What are some unique features about Irish whiskey distillation? |
It's distilled using malted and unmalted barley, wheat and oats. The unmalted barley adds spicy character.
It undergoes triple distillation.
Peat firing is not used.
Minimum 7 years aging requirement |
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What are some unique features about Bourbon whiskey distillation |
- Minimum of 51% corn - Must be made in the US - Minimum aging requirements of 2 years - Must be aged in charred new oak casks - Barrels impart smoky character |
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What are some unique features about Rye whiskey distillation |
- Minimum of 51% rye grain in the US - No restrictions in Canada - Distilled in continuous stills |
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What is the raw material for vodka? |
Grains or potatoes |
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What is the raw material for Gin? |
Grains or potatoes |
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What are some unique features about vodka distillation? |
- Distilled in a continuous still - filtered through charcoal filter - Not aged - Additives and flavoring agents may be added - Distilled to 96% and cut to 37.5% using demineralized water |
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What is the difference between distilled gin and compound gin? |
For distilled gin, the flavoring is added through the distillation process. The flavoring agents are added to the copper still and are stepped in the wash as it's distilled. Alternatively, the flavoring agents are added above the liquid in a tray and the distillate is infused with the flavors as the vapors pass through them. In compound gin, the oils are extracted by distillation or pressing out. The oil is added to demineralized water which is used to reduce the spirits to a minimum of 37.5%. |
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What is gin flavored with? |
Juniper berries! Coriander Orange peel Lemon peel Card a mom Cinnamon |
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What are 4 styles of gin? |
London dry Plymouth Old Tom Dutch Style |
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Describe each style of gin |
London dry - lighter Plymouth - full bodied, very aromatic Old Tom - sweeter. Akin to traditional style. Dutch Style - sweet and aromatic. Maybe aged in oak casks for 1-3 yrs. |
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How is dutch style gin like whisky? |
They are both aged in oak casks for 1-3 years. |
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What is unique about rum production? |
Typically produced from sugarcane byproducts, such as sugarcane juice or molasses. Fermentation results in a sweet, alcoholic liquid. The wash is distilled using a pot or continuous still. Most countries require at least 1 year of aging. This may be done in bourbon casks or stainless steel tanks. Most rums are blended to produce a consistent house style. Rums may be filtered to remove coloring or have coloring added. |
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How much rum is lost to evaporation during aging? |
10% |
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What are the 3 styles of rum? |
English rum Spanish rum French rum |
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Describe English style rum |
It is the rich and sweetest rum. Rich character is enhanced with heavily toasted bourbon casks |
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What counties produce English rum? |
Bermuda BVI Jamaica Barbados |
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Describe Spanish style rum. |
Lighter and more delicately flavored. Very versatile cocktail. |
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What countries produce Spanish rum? |
Cuba Puerto Rico |
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Describe French style rum (sugar cane) |
Sugar cane flavors. Distilled in French oak which imparts vanilla flavors. |
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What country produces French rum? |
Haiti |
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What descriptors are used to describe rum? |
Light rum Gold rum Dark rum Flavored rum Over proof Anjeo |
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Describe each style of rum |
Light rum - little flavor, sweet Gold rum - gains color from aging. May also gain color and flavor through spicing Dark rum - stronger flavor, hints of spices, molasses, caramel Flavored rum - infused with orange, citrus, coconut Over proof - higher than standard 40% Anjeo - rum aged for > 5 years |
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What is unique about tequila production? |
- Agave hearts are cooked in hot water under pressure. The hearts are crushed into a pulp. Sugary liquid is squeezed out. - extract is the raw material. It is fermented and then distilled. |
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What are the two types of tequila? |
- 100% agave tequila - basic tequila |
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How is basic tequila made? |
It is made using up to 49% other fermentable sugars in place of agave |
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What label indication indicates that a tequila is made from agave? |
Envasado de origin |
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What are the 5 styles of tequila? |
White Gold Rested (reposado) Aged Extra aged |
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What do the styles of tequila indicate? |
White - clear or transparent. Aged < 2 months Gold - added caramel coloring or flavor (not aged) Rested (reposado) - aged > 2 months and < 1 year Aged - aged > 1 year and < 3 years Extra aged - aged > 3 years |
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What is unique about sake production? |
- made from rice instead of barley - a mold is added that initiates enzymatic activity - quality is related to the polish of the rice |
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What are the types of sake? |
Sweet Dry Premium Infused |
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What are the premium sake terms |
Daiginjo - to die for Ginjo |
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What is unique about Mead production? |
Raw material = honey |
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What are some types of mead |
Traditional = honey Varietal honey = distinct varieties Fruit = (eg cider + honey, grapes + honey) Metheglin = herb + spice mead |