Whiskey Regulations and Standards

Questions and Answers

What is the minimum proof required for whiskey to be labeled as 'labeled' whiskey?

90 proof

100 proof

70 proof

80 proof (correct)

What is the maximum proof allowed for the final distillation of whiskey?

140 proof

160 proof (correct)

150 proof

170 proof

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

40%

50%

51% (correct)

60%

What type of oak containers are required for aging 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?

Blended whiskey Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for labeling the age of a whiskey?

Age statement is required only for whiskeys under 4 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for bottled-in-bond bourbon?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the standards of identity set by the government in the code of Federal Regulations?

To enforce labeling and advertising rules in the spirits industry Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is responsible for enforcing the standards of identity in the spirits industry?

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

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

Less than 190 proof Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that gives whiskey its flavors, aromas, and color?

Storage in oak containers Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of whiskey that includes bourbon, rye, wheat, and malt whiskeys?

Class 2, excluding corn whiskey Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of distillation above 190 proof?

Neutral spirits Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the third part of the standards of identity?

To make a further definition of 'straight' whiskey Signup and view all the answers

Who is the whiskey writer who has made a specialty of interpreting the rules and has brought inaccuracies to the attention of the TTB?

Chuck Cowdery Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of wheated bourbon whiskeys?

Smoother, softer, and less spicy flavor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between bourbon and rye whiskeys?

Rye whiskey has a spicy and herbal flavor, while bourbon has a sweet and smooth flavor Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of toasting the heads of oak barrels in whiskey production?

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

What is the primary factor that affects the aging of whiskey in a warehouse?

The construction of the warehouse Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the process of adding backset to the fermenter in whiskey production?

Sour mash Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Mellow Corn whiskey?

Sweet, oily, and rich corn flavor Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon?

Tennessee whiskey employs the Lincoln County process, while bourbon does not Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a specific yeast strain in whiskey production?

It creates a different flavor profile due to variations in esters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why whiskey barrels in stone and brick warehouses age more quickly?

The solid construction of the warehouses reduces air movement, causing faster aging. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of the 'breathing' of the barrel during the change of seasons?

It creates oxidation and the formation of aldehydes, contributing to fruit and spice flavors. Signup and view all the answers

Why do some distillers prefer warehouses located on hills?

They catch more airflow from wind, which can contribute to a more complex flavor profile. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Whiskey Team in the distillation process?

To serve as the whiskey's memory, keeping good traditions and making sure no changes affect the quality of the whiskey. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Lincoln County process' in Tennessee Whiskey production?

A filtering process that involves passing the unaged spirit through 10ft of hardwood charcoal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the white wool blanket in the mellowing vats?

To contain any charcoal dust that comes loose during the filtering process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the 'mellowing' process on the whiskey?

It removes compounds that can turn the whiskey cloudy if it gets cold. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the whiskey after it has been filtered through the charcoal?

It has a sweet, pure corn flavor and aroma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the process that the third sample underwent?

Removing impurities from the spirit Signup and view all the answers

Where are both distilleries mentioned in the text located?

Lincoln County Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the only distillery making whiskey in Lincoln County?

Prichards Distillery Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of rye that makes it distinct from other types of whiskey?

Bitter and oily flavor Signup and view all the answers

Why did rye whiskey fall on hard times?

The popularity of Canadian whiskey and white spirits increased Signup and view all the answers

What is the earliest American whiskey that launched the Whiskey Rebellion?

Rye Signup and view all the answers

Who convinced bartenders to try rye in cocktails and demand distillers make more?

David Wondrich Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the process that the third sample underwent, in terms of the spirit's flavor?

It became lighter and purer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Whiskey Standards

Whiskey standards are set by the government in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Part 5
The standards are enforced by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

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 bottled at no less than 80 proof

Whiskey Classes

Whiskey classes include bourbon, rye, wheat, and malt whiskeys
Final distillation must be under 160 proof
If aged in oak, whiskey must go into the barrel at no more than 125 proof
Bourbon must be made from a mash that is at least 51% corn
Rye must be made from a mash that is at least 51% rye

Straight Whiskey

If whiskey conforms to standards and is stored in oak containers for at least 2 years, it is "straight whiskey"
Label must state the age if the youngest whiskey is under 4 years old
If an age statement is used, all whiskey in the bottle must be at least that old

American Whiskey

Distilled from a fermented grain mash
Distilled to a proof no higher than 159 (79.5% ABV)
Aged in charred, new oak barrels
Bottled at no less than 80 proof
No coloring or flavoring added

Bottled-in-Bond

Whiskey must be at least 4 years old
Bottled at no more or less than 100 proof
No additives other than pure water
Labeled as the product of the distillery where it was made and bottled
Product of only one distillery and made by the same master distiller in one distilling season

Bourbon

At least 51% corn
Aged in new charred oak barrels
Made and aged in the US
Traditional bourbons made with corn, rye, and barley
Spicy, fiery, and powerful flavor

Rye

At least 51% rye
Spicy, herbal, and grassy flavor
Fiery when young

Innovations in Bourbon

Corn is more uniformly high quality
Chemistry of stills, warehouse construction, and wood management have improved
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 of grains in the mash
Increase the base grain, and bourbon becomes sweeter
Increase the rye, and bourbon becomes spicier
Use wheat instead of rye, and bourbon becomes smoother and mellower

The Yeast

Use a different yeast or run it at a different temperature, and you get variations in esters
Bourbon distillers are particular about their yeasts and preserve the strains

The Barrel

Distillers are specific about the wood in their barrels
Wood science advances, and more changes are being made in how barrels are made
Toasting the heads of the barrels is becoming more common

The Warehouse

Warehouse will age whiskey differently depending on how they're built
Ironclad warehouses are the most common
Stone and brick warehouses have less air movement
The "breathing" of the barrel comes from the change of the seasons

Tennessee Whiskey

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

Resurgent Rye

Rye has a hot herbal rush and a flame of bitter, oily rye grass
Rye had fallen on hard times after Prohibition, but has seen a resurgence in popularity

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Description

Learn about the government regulations and standards for whiskey, including its definition, classes, and production requirements. Explore the rules set by the Code of Federal Regulations and enforced by the TTB.