Whisky Fundamentals
Image courtesy of Peter Schill
Drum Maltings
Published 17/08/2021
Drum maltings were once the shining star of maltster replacing floor maltings & Saladin boxes. Now these to are a footnote in the history of whisky. Learn more about the malt made in a rotating drum with Whiskipedia. What is drum malting A drum malting system is used for the steeping and malting of barley and other grains. The steeping system allows the grain to be washed, extracting any dust and other foreign impurities, while at the same time humidifying the grain to begin the malting process.
Malting grain
Published 17/08/2021
Malt and grain look very similar, but before grain becomes malt, it goes through a relatively complex process - malting. The grain of barley, by far the most important grain in brewing, consists of over 60% starch and long-chain dextrins, but only about 2% sugar. Even with other brewing grains such as wheat or rye, the approach is not fundamentally different. Yeast cannot process starch, it only ferments sugar. The breakdown of starch into fermentable sugar happens during mashing, but malting creates the conditions for fermenation.
What are Independent whiskies bottlers?
Published 16/08/2021
Independent bottlers of single malt whisky are companies that do not necessarily produce their own whisky, but purchase individual barrels from distilleries, which they later bottle under their own branded label. In most cases, where teaspooning does not prevent this, the name of the original distillery may also be mentioned on the label of these bottlings. Excluding blends and supermarket chains the majority of independently bottled whiskies are single cask bottlings, bottled without spirit caramel colouring and chill filtration.
The Gaelic language & its history
Published 09/08/2021
The Gaelic language belongs to the Goidelic branch of the island Celtic languages and is closely related to the Irish and Manx languages. The close relationship with the Irish language can be explained by the immigration of Scots from Ireland to Scotland since the 4th century. In Ireland the language is Irish, while in Scotland the correct term is Gaelic. Although Irish and Gaelic share a common linguistic ancestor, they diverged and switched to two different languages over time.
Mizunara oak whisky casks
Published 05/08/2021
Mizunara oak (Quercus crispula) is not the obvious choice for whisky making and maturation. Mizunara oak is rare and expensive to obtain, it grows twisted so is difficult to cut into staves and being both wet and soft is an ordeal for the cooper. If that was not enough the casks have a tendency to leak. Despite all this, whisky producers in Japan are enthusiastic about it, and the wood is starting to attract attention around the world due to its unique flavour profile.