Alcohol Labeling Regulations Chapter 9

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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum proof at which whiskey must be bottled to be labeled as such?

90 proof

80 proof (correct)

75 proof

100 proof

What is the maximum proof at which whiskey can be distilled?

150 proof

160 proof

155 proof

159 proof (correct)

What is the minimum percentage of corn required in the mash for bourbon?

49%

45%

40%

51% (correct)

What is the term for the container in which whiskey must be aged for it to be labeled as 'straight whiskey'?

Charred new oak barrels Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement for a whiskey to be labeled as 'straight whiskey'?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a blend of straight whiskey and cheap, unaged grain neutral spirit?

American blended whiskey Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for labeling a whiskey as 'bottled-in-bond'?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between straight bourbon whiskey and single malt scotch whiskey?

Minimum age requirement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)?

Enforcing standards of identity for distilled spirits Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum proof required for a distillate to be considered whiskey?

190 proof Signup and view all the answers

What gives whiskey its flavors, aromas, and color?

Storage in oak containers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Part 5, Paragraph 22?

To set standards of identity for distilled spirits Signup and view all the answers

What are the two classes of whiskey identified in the standards of identity?

Corn whiskey and other whiskeys Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of distillation above 190 proof (95% ABV)?

Neutral spirits or alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Chuck Cowdery, a whiskey writer?

Interpreting whiskey standards and bringing inaccuracies to the attention of the TTB Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the agency that was spun off from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)?

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of corn required in bourbon?

51% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between traditional bourbons and wheated bourbons?

Rye is used in traditional bourbons, while wheat is used in wheated bourbons Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of aging whiskey in new charred oak barrels?

Charring Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between bourbon and rye?

Bourbon is made with 51% corn, while rye is made with 51% rye Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the whiskey that is bottled without any changes to the flavor or color?

Bottled-in-bond Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of toasting the heads of barrels?

To create a different set of chemical compounds in the oak Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of rising heat in ironclad warehouses?

Whiskey is pushed harder into the wood on the upper floors Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increasing the base grain in the mashbill?

Bourbon becomes sweeter Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of aging whiskey in stone and brick warehouses?

Slower evaporation and more woodier flavors Signup and view all the answers

Why do distillers prefer north-south orientation for warehouses?

To catch the day's sun evenly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Whiskey Team?

Managing the warehouses and distillation process Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Lincoln County process?

To remove impurities from the whiskey Signup and view all the answers

What type of wood is used to make the charcoal at Jack Daniels and George Dickel?

Sugar maple wood Signup and view all the answers

Why do distillers use steam heat in the warehouses during winter?

To gently raise the warehouse temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of not 'breathing' the barrels enough?

Woodier and drier flavors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of 'chill filtering' whiskey?

To prevent cloudiness in the whiskey Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of corn eau-de-vie?

Lighter, purer spirit Signup and view all the answers

Where are both distilleries mentioned in the content located?

Lincoln County Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Rye in terms of flavor?

Hot, herbal, and bitter Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Rye after Prohibition?

It never really came back as strongly as bourbon Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of David Wondrich in the context of Rye?

He popularized Rye in cocktails Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical significance of Rye?

It was the basis of many classic whiskey cocktails Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of older Rye?

It develops a vanilla flavor Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion in the context of Rye?

It was a significant event in the early history of American whiskey Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Standards of Identity

The US government sets standards for whiskey in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Part 5, Paragraph 22
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) enforces these standards and approves labeling

Defining Whiskey

Whiskey is a distillate made from a fermented mash of grain
Final distillation must be to less than 190 proof (95% ABV)
Whiskey must be stored in oak containers to gain flavor, aroma, and color
Bottled at no less than 80 proof

Defining Whiskey Classes

Two classes of whiskey: corn whiskey and bourbon, rye, wheat, malt, and rye malt whiskeys
Bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys must be:
- Distilled to less than 160 proof
- Aged in charred new oak containers
- Made from a mash of at least 51% of the main grain (e.g., corn for bourbon)

Defining Straight Whiskey

Straight whiskey is whiskey that:
- Conforms to the standards above
- Is stored in oak containers for at least 2 years
Labeling regulations require:
- Age statement if the youngest whiskey is under 4 years old
- No additives other than pure water

American Whiskey

American whiskey (bourbon, rye, etc.) is:
- Distilled from a fermented grain mash of at least 51% of the main grain
- Distilled to less than 159 proof
- Aged in charred new oak barrels
- Bottled at no less than 80 proof
- Not colored, flavored, or adulterated

Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Straight bourbon whiskey is all aged whiskey from one distiller, at least 2 years old
Bottled-in-bond bourbon is:
- At least 4 years old
- Bottled at 100 proof
- Has no additives other than pure water
- Labeled as the product of one distillery and made by one master distiller in one distilling season

Types of Whiskey

Traditional bourbons:
- Made with corn, rye, and barley
- Spicy, fiery, powerful flavor
Wheated bourbons:
- Made with corn, wheat, and barley
- Smoother, softer flavor
Tennessee whiskey:
- Made with corn, rye, and barley
- Employs Lincoln County process (pre-aging charcoal "mellowing")
- Sweet, smooth flavor with big corn character
Rye whiskey:
- Made with at least 51% rye
- Spicy, herbal, grassy flavor

Innovations in Bourbon

Advances in:
- Corn quality
- Still chemistry
- Warehouse construction and management
- Wood management
All made with a majority of one grain, all distilled to roughly the same proof, all aged in the same new charred oak barrels

The Mashbill

Ratios in the mash bill affect flavor
Increase the base grain, and bourbon becomes sweeter, while rye becomes spicier
Tweak the small grains to change flavor profiles

Yeast

Use of different yeast or running it at a different temperature affects esters from fermentation
Bourbon distillers are particular about their yeasts and preserve the strains

Barrel

Distillers are specific about the wood in their barrels
Advances in wood science lead to changes in barrel making, such as toasting the heads

Warehouse

Warehouse design and location affect aging
Ironclad warehouses have good air circulation and temperature shifts
Stone and brick warehouses have less air movement and are generally lower
Seasonal changes bring oxygen into the barrel, creating oxidation and aldehydes

The Whiskey Team

Distillers and warehouse managers have a lot of input on whiskey production
They serve as the whiskey's memory, keeping traditions and ensuring quality

Tennessee Whiskey

"Lincoln County process" involves filtering the unaged spirit through 10ft of hardwood charcoal
Both Jack Daniel's and George Dickel do everything necessary to be labeled as "straight bourbon whiskey"

Resurgent Rye

Rye whiskey was nearly extinct but is now gaining popularity
Rye has a hot herbal rush and a bitter, oily flavor

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Description

This quiz covers the government standards of identity for distilled spirits, specifically whiskey, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations and enforced by the TTB.