What is the aim of processing the raw material? - ANSWER To create a sugary liquid What happens during alcoholic fermentation? - ANSWER Yeast eats sugars to create alcohol, congeners and carbon dioxide What system is used in the USA to express alcohol content? - ANSWER Proof. Two degrees proof equals 1?v What is the aim of distillation? - ANSWER To select and concentrate parts of the alcoholic liquid (alcohol and congeners) and leave others behind What is the aim of post-distillation operations? - ANSWER To ensure that when a spirit is put on sale it has the correct colour, aroma, sweetness and alcoholic strength What is the most important alcohol in a spirit? - ANSWER Ethanol What type of aromas are created by esters? - ANSWER Fruity aromas What is the appearance of a newly made spirit? - ANSWER Water-white and colourless Ethanol boils at a lower temperature than pure water. True or False? - ANSWER TRUE What is the name of the section of the still between the pot and the head? - ANSWER Swan neck What is the typical heat source for a pot still? - ANSWER Steam What is the purpose of a condenser in a pot still? - ANSWER Converts the vapours back to a liquid In pot still distillation, what happens in the first distillation? - ANSWER Distil alcoholic liquid into low wines, discard watery waste In pot still distillation, what is the typical abv of the low wines? - ANSWER 25-30% In pot still distillation, what happens in the second distillation? - ANSWER Distil low wines with heads and tails of previous batch, separate heads, hearts and tails, discard watery waste What happens to the heads and tails at the end of the second distillation? - ANSWER They are collected and used for the next distillation What is the name for the portion of the second distillation that will be kept and sold? - ANSWER Heart Column stills can run continuously. True or false? - ANSWER TRUE In a column still, where are the hearts typically taken from? - ANSWER A plate just below the top of the still What is the highest abv that can be reached in a column still? - ANSWER 96% What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 75%? - ANSWER Pronounced What intensity would you expect in a spirit taken off the still at 96%? - ANSWER Neutral What is the function of the bubblecap on a plate? - ANSWER Forces vapours through the layer of alcoholic liquid on the plate. The heat in the vapours means the liquid is kept boiling What is the function of the downcomer on a plate? - ANSWER Allows water and less volatile fractions to overflow to the plate below Put the following post-distillation operations in the correct order: Finishing Adding other flavours Maturation Blending - ANSWER Maturation Adding other flavours Blending Finishing What are the affects of oak maturation? - ANSWER Adding colour and congeners