WSET Level 1 Spirits (2023/2024) Graded A

WSET Level 1 Spirits (2023/2024) Graded A Spirits Production Process Process Raw Materials Fermentation Distillation After Distillation Aim of processing raw material? Create a sugary liquid so that fermentation can take place What do you add to sugary liquid? Water Aim of fermentation? Turn surgery liquid into alcoholic liquid Aim of distillation Concentrate level of alcohol in the fermented alcoholic liquid Aim of after distillation New spirit is colorless and dry. Adjust color aroma sweetness and alcoholic strength What is a brandy? Any spirit made from fruit What is a grape brandy Wine that has been distilled. Best known is Cognac which comes from SW France Steps to make Cognac Process grapes Fermentation Distilled After Distillation Cognac must be distilled how? Double distilled in a pot still Pot stills produce what kind of spirits? Low strength, a lot of flavor and character How long must Cognac be aged in oak barrels? At least two years What flavor does oak ageing give? Vanilla and toast, after longer-fruit cake and toffee aromas Types of cognac VS VSOP XO True or false: vodka can be made from any raw material True-high quality made from- barley, wheat, rye, and potatoes Vodka must be distilled to a strength of at least what? 95 or 96% Distillation of vodka? Column still After distillation-vodka is reduced to what abv? 40% Unaged spirits after distillation process Colorless, stores in stainless steel tanks Styles of vodka Neutral vodka Vodka with some character Best known examples of whisky come from where? Scotland, USA, Ireland, and Canada What is whiskey generally made of? Barley Corn Rye How is barley processed to make whiskey? Malting- crushed and mixed with water to make sugary liquid After distillation of whiskey process Aged in oak Blended and colored Diluted to 40% New oak barrel taste for whiskey? Vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and coconut Does bourbon need to be aged in new oak barrels? Yes What do old oak barrels do to flavor? Less flavor and color Blending a whiskey aims: Consistency Complexity Color used in whiskey? Caramel Scotch whiskey must be aged and distilled for how many years? 3 years in Scotland Single Malt Whiskeys must be: Made from only barley Pot distilled Blend of whiskeys from one distillery Flavor of single malt Cereal, fruits, flowers, honey, fruit cake, sweet spices Why does malt whiskey taste like smoke? Burning peat Blended scotch whiskies must be: A blend of malt whiskeys and grain whiskeys from different distilleries Grain whiskey is distilled how? Column still Number one state for bourbon production? Kentucky Factors that determine Bourbon: 51% of grain must be corn Made using a column still Aged in new oak barrels Flavors of bourbon Sweet corn, cereal, fruit, vanilla, coconut How does Tennessee whiskey differ from Bourbon? Must be passed through a maple charcoal filter before it is out into oak barrels Does the charcoal add flavor to the whiskey? No, but gives a smoother character How does Rye whiskey differ from Bourbon? 51% of grains must be rye Scent of rye whiskey Lemon, spicy peppery aromas Raw material used to made rum? Majority of distillers use what raw material? Sugar cane Molasses Taste of sugar cane juice rum? Vegetal flavor Flavor from molasses rum? Grassy flavors What flavor does fermentation bring to rum? Tropical fruit aromas Rum distillation options Pot stills-full of flavor Column still- light flavor intensity After distillation for rum: Aged in oak-vanilla, sweet spice aroma Unaged-ensure flavor goes unchanged Styles of rum: White-light flavor, grassy fruit aroma Golden-medium or pronounced flavor, grassy ripe fruity flavors, combined with vanilla Dark-intense and complex flavors, dried fruit and toffee flavors Tequila is made using what Blue agave- 51% How are tequilas distilled? Double pot distilled to low strength Aroma of tequila? Herbaceous, peppery aromas Unaged tequilas: Blanco or silver-agave flavors Hover, Oro, or Gold-colored with caramel Aged tequilas: Resposado-aged in oak between 2&12 months Añejo-aged for at least 12 months