Whisky Fundamentals
Grain Varietals and Whisky Production
Published 09/08/2020
All over the world the same 3 raw materials are used for the production of whiskies, whether for whisky, whisky or bourbon the base is the same, grain, water, and yeast. With these 3 ingredients a mash is created, brewed, distilled and matured creating every variation of whisky on the planet. Every whisky consists of one, or more different types of grain. The distilleries that use several varieties have their secret mixing ratio (the Mash Bill).
No Age Statement (NAS) whisky
Published 09/08/2020
A relatively new trend has been causing controversy within the traditionally age focussed whiskey world for the last few years. No Age Statements, whiskies with no age information on the label. Most NAS whiskeys are single malts, these came about as a consequence of the law requiring that only the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle may be stated. What is NAS Whisky? NAS stands for No Age Statement and means that no information will be given about the age of the liquid inside the bottle.
Spirit Caramel (E150A) whisky
Published 09/08/2020
Most Scotch, and many Irish whiskies are coloured with the addition of E150A food coloring (commonly known as spirit caramel). That this is not only the case with blends, but also with most single malts which is the reason few topics, outwith No Age Statement whiskies and chill-filtration are as controvertial among whisky connoisseurs. Why are Whiskies Coloured? Whiskies are coloured for cosmetic reasons, in part because darker whiskies are percieved as as older, and in part to ensure consistency between the various casks.
Whisky & Oxidisation
Published 06/08/2020
Unlike wine, whisky doesn’t continue to mature after it’s been bottled but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t change. Oxidisation is great transformation tool, and one to oft overlooked by new whisky enthusiasts. Spoiling Great Whisky There are two great truths of the human condition; We never want a good thing to end Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei (German for ‘everything has an end, only the sausage has two’) When an inexperienced whisky fan finds a spectacular new whisky they generally go through a three stages.
Sulpher in Whisky
Published 06/08/2020
Sulphur is a controvertial topic within the whisky industry, and a number of high profile characters, including the man with the hat have waded in. Unfortunaly this has often served the purpose of confusing the matter rather than clearing it up. It should be understood that whiskey always has, and always will contain sulfur compounds. Sometimes its concentration is so low that it does not reach the odor thresholdand thus cannot be perceived.