The production of Scotch whisky takes time, a lot of time. It is a tedious
process that can take years. However when it is done correctly, the product
is one worth waiting for.
Barley is placed in deep tanks of water for approximately three days.
As the moisture increases it promotes the germination process. After the
germination process, the barley is then moved to the malting segment of
the distillery where it will go into drums sometimes known as the malting
floor.
The entire purpose of the germination process is to convert the starch
in the grains into fermentable sugars. This will feed the yeast in the
fermentation stage. Turning the barley frequently ensures the temperature
will remain consistent. Sheils, another name for a wooden shovel, are used
to turn the grains, on a traditional malting floor. The grains will die
if the temperature reaches above 22 degrees, and will the stop the entire
process as the starch will not be converted to sugar.
The grain is then kilned so as to halt the continuation of sugar consumption
the kiln will dry up any moister. Generally a kiln is a building standing
two stories in height with the top perforated to allow all heat to leave.
The lower floor contains peat bricks that are heated. During this process
the grain is dried and takes on that peat like reek. The pagoda style roof
on a distillery is the most noticeable characteristic. The malt must not
be heated above 70 degrees or it will surely be damaged and unusable.
Most of the distilleries in this day and age buy all their malt from a
centralized malting company. However there are still a select few that
remain traditional and do it all themselves.
The grain is milled into grist and combined with water in mash tubs to
be heated to sixty degrees. During the mashing period the water is changed
at least four times to remove sediment. The bi-product of this mashing
is called wort. The wort must be cooled prior to mixing with yeast in what
is called a wash back. This large container is never filled to the top
as the wort froths a lot due to carbon dioxide. After two or three days
all the yeast is killed by the alcohol. The end product of this cycle is
called wash. It contains an alcohol percent of five to 8 percent.
The stills in which the wash is placed are made of copper and are regulated
to a certain shape allowing for proper distillation to occur. The still
method is usually ran twice yet some companies do three or more.
After all this is complete the brew is then placed in casks made of usually
oak, for a period of eight to twelve years minimum.
Whiskey charts course from drink to biofuel TG Daily Celtic Renewables is a new company recently spun off of Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel Research Centre in order to commercialize a process for producing biofuel made from the by-products of whisky. We initially reported in 2010 about efforts in ...
5 on 5 with The Production Line Five for Howling Remember the first time you drank Scotch? Of course you don't. I don't either. But the photographic evidence suggests that it was a time of great euphoria and an experience that you hope...and somewhat expect...to repeat throughout the course of your ...
Whiskey Charts Course From Drink To Biofuel EarthTechling Celtic Renewables is a new company recently spun off of Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel Research Centre in order to commercialize a process for producing biofuel made from the by-products of whisky. We initially reported in 2010 about efforts in ...
Adelphi looking for new investors for distillery Scotsman (blog) The facility, which is still subject to planning permission, is initially expected to produce up to 100000 litres annually with capacity to rise to 300000 litres. The owners of Adelphi, Keith Falconer and Donald Houston, are preparing to bring in ...
Q&A with Anything Goes Star Connor Cheney Patch.com Patch sat down with Connor Cheney, who stars as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in this year's SPFHS Repertory Theater production of Anything Goes. As part of an ongoing series covering this year's Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Repertory Theater's production...
Westfield Girls Basketball Comes Back to Stun Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch.com Did anyone in Westfield's gymnasium think that Saturday night's girls basketball conference clash between arch rivals Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and Westfield High School was not going to go down to the wire? Perhaps for a moment at intermission ...
Rebound in liquor sales seen as sign of recovery San Francisco Chronicle At its annual industry review in New York, the Distilled Spirits Council, a national trade group, said that last year saw a 2.4 percent growth in production - or 195.8 million 9-liter cases - a near return to prerecession levels.
Mezcal Straight Up Wine Enthusiast Magazine The result is wildly variable and has all the particularity of a single-malt Scotch, with which fine mezcals are often compared. Neighboring towns might produce mezcal in the same manner from the same agave types, but with vastly different results, ...
Girls Like Whisky, Too Huffington Post UK (blog) The above are the regions where Scotch whisky is produced and each has their own unique qualities. Note that. Whisky tastings can be selected based on your level of knowledge, and what you hope to get out of the experience, but please by all means ...
