Scotch Whisky

Scotch whisky is not only the most popular spirit upon Scotch whisky is not only the most popular spirit upon earth, it is also the most complex. earth, it is also the most complex.

This complexity arises directly from the land of its This complexity arises directly from the land of its birth: Scotland – its history and culture, geography and birth: Scotland – its history and culture, geography and

climate.climate.

•Mashing•Fermenting•Distilling•Maturing•Tasting

The Steps

Single Malt or Blended?

Mashing

The ground malt is mixed with hot water in a large metal tub called mashtun. The sweet liquid extracted is drained off.

FermentingThe sweet liquor extracted is cooled and pumped into a large wooden vat called washback. Yeast is added.

Yeast

DistillingDistilling is a process by which

a mixture of substances is separated by being converted into vapour and then condensed into liquid again.

This occurs because some substances, alcohol in particular, boil at different temperatures from others.

A “Still house” is made up of enormous copper stills.

MaturingWhisky is matured in wooden casks. It must

remain there for at least three years before the product can be called “Scotch Whisky”, but most whiskies are 10 to 12 years old.

TastingTasting

Flavour is a combination Flavour is a combination of three things: smell, of three things: smell, taste and feeling, but if taste and feeling, but if you want to appreciate a you want to appreciate a whisky in a truly whisky in a truly Scottish way remember Scottish way remember that whisky benefits that whisky benefits from the addition of a from the addition of a little water – soft, clean little water – soft, clean and not carbonated. and not carbonated. Don’t use ice, it tends to Don’t use ice, it tends to “close” the aromas.“close” the aromas.

Single malt or blended?Single malt are the products

of one distillery. Each bottling mixes many casks to achieve uniformity of flavour and colour. The region of origin appears on the label as do the words “Single Malt Scotch Whisky”.

A master blender selects between 15 and 50 different malt whiskies and 3 or 4 different grain. Each maybe at a different age and each is chosen from an individual cask. He, then mixes measured proportions then leaves them “to marry” 2 months. Blended whiskies are usually smooth and rich in flavour.

Presentazione creata da Stefania Santarini nell’ambito del Corso di formazione per le Tecnologie

- Istituto Comprensivo “ Coldigioco” - Apiro -