Answers
WHAT IS A SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY?
It is the product of a single distillery in Scotland. Most distilleries produce Scotch Whisky primarily for the purpose of blending, but increasingly many retain some of their production for sale as Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.
WHAT IS A BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY?
Its is a blend of as many as 50 individual Scotch Malt Whiskies and Scotch Grain Whisky, usually at a ratio of around 20% malt to 80% grain.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME ‘WHISKY’?
The term 'whisky' derives originally from the Gaelic 'uisge beatha', or 'usquebaugh', meaning 'water of life'. Gaelic is that branch of the Celtic language spoken in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
WHEN WAS SCOTCH WHISKT FIRST DISTILLED?
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WHAT GIVES SCOTCH WHISKY ITS DISTINCTIVE FLAVOUR AND BOUQUET?
This is one of the mysteries of the industry and a secret that many imitators of Scotch Whisky have tried in vain to discover. Many theories and explanations have been put forward but there is no universally accepted solution. The distilling process itself is one factor. Scotch Whisky, after it has been distilled, contains not only ethyl alcohol and water but also certain secondary constituents. The exact nature of these is not fully understood, but it is believed they include some of the essential oils from the malted barley and other cereals and substances that derive from the peat. The amount of these secondary constituents retained in the spirit depends upon the shape of the still and the way it is operated and also on the strength at which the spirit is drawn off. The natural elements of water, peat and the Scottish climate all certainly have a profound effect on the flavour of Scotch Whisky. Water is probably the most important single factor and a source of good, soft water is essential to a distillery. Peat, which is used in the kiln in which the malt is dried also has an influence that can be detected in the 'peaty' or smoky flavour of many Scotch Whiskies, although not all Scotch Whiskies are peated. For example, Auchentoshan Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is not peated. The Scottish climate is extremely important, particularly when the whisky is maturing. At this stage the soft air permeates the casks and works on the whisky, eliminating harsher constituents at exactly the correct rate to produce a mellow whisky.
HOW SOON AFTER IT IS DISTILLED IS WHISKY USUALLY SOLD?
Once the whisky is distilled, it is kept under bond in casks in warehouses to mature until the blender requires it. By law, Scotch Whisky must mature for a minimum of three years, although in practice the minimum age is much greater.
DOES SCOTCH WHISKY IN A BOTTLE LOSE ITS STRENGH WITH AGE?
Once bottled, whisky does not lose its strength.
DOES SCOTCH WHISKY AGE OR IMPROVE IN A BOTTLE WHICH IS KEPT SEALED?
No. The spirit matures in the casks after distillation. There is no change in a whisky once it has been bottled and securely sealed. As oxygen in the air cannot get to the whisky, there is no further maturing. Therefore if you buy a bottle of Bowmore 12 Years Old in 2001, it will not be 13 Years Old in 2002.
WHAT CAUSES WHISKY TO SOMETIMES LOSE ITS BRIGHTNESS?
If the whisky is reduced to a low temperature or stored in very cold conditions, it may become cloudy, but this cloudiness will disappear when the whisky is brought back to a normal temperature. It has been found that when whisky is actually chilled to temperatures below freezing-point, the cloud formed becomes a deposit and if this is filtered off (chill-filtration as it is known), the whisky will then retain its brightness under all conditions of temperature.
AT WHAT TEMPERATURE IS WHISKY BEST SERVED?
This is entirely a matter of personal choice.
IS THE BOUQUET OF SCOTCH WHISKY IMPROVED BY WARMING SLIGHTLY?
The bouquet of Scotch Whisky cannot be improved by warming. The effect of such warming would only be to increase the rate of evaporation of the spirit, thus speeding up the release of the aroma.
HOW SHOULD I DRINK SCOTCH WHISKY?
This depends entirely on one's personal taste. Most distillers would recommend adding a small dash of water to a single malt. This helps to release the aromas and flavours of the whisky.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE BOWMORE MERCHANDISE?
Bowmore merchandise is available through our on-line distillery shop.
ARE YOUR DISTILLERIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
All three distilleries are now open all year round to the public. No appointment necessary, although we request you contact the distillery visitor centre's for larger parties Bowmore +44 (0)1496 810671, Auchentoshan +44 (0)1389 878569, Glen Garioch +44 (0)1651 873450.
I’VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT BLACK BOWMORE. DOU YOU STILL MAKE IT? WHERE CAN I BUY IT?
You can still by the latest release of the Black Bowmore 1964 available in specialist retailers, there only just over 800 in existence however. Of the original series only 5812 bottles were originally released over a three year period: 2,000 bottles of 29 Years Old, 2,000 bottles of 30 Years Old and 1812 bottles of 31 Years Old. This was our first real outing into collectable Bowmore bottling and we have been pleasantly surprised by the success of it. Black Bowmore can now only ever be purchased if it comes up at auction with one bottle fetching anything up to 600, whilst the set of three is worth about 2-3,000.
Due to the success of the sherry finished Black Bowmore, we have released an on-going Bowmore sherry finished single malt whisky called Bowmore Darkest. Bowmore Darkest won the trophy for Best Single Malt and a Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge 2000 so it's well worth a try!
It's available from all good malt whisky specialists.
I’VE HEARD THAT WHISKY CONTAINS CARAMEL-IS THIS TRUE?
Yes, many whiskies contain spirit caramel. This is part of the legal definition of a scotch whisky which is as follows: Scotch Whisky must be
1. produced at a distillery in Scotland
2. from water and malted barley to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added
3. processed at that distillery into a mash
4. converted to fermentable carbohydrate only by endogenous enzymes
5. fermented only by the addition of yeast
6. distilled to an alcohol strength less than 94.8% so that the distillate has the aroma and taste derived from the raw materials
7. matured in Scotland in oak casks of less than 700 litres for a minimum of three years
8. derived from the raw materials which retain the colour, aroma and taste
9. free from added substances other than water and spirit caramel
Caramel is used to keep the colour of the whisky consistent so the consumer can be reassured of the quality of the whisky. Due to the very miracle of nature that takes place when whisky is maturing, no two casks ever produce an identical colour of spirit and it is felt that consumers would be disturbed to see bottles of malt whisky sitting side by side and yet totally different colours. Hence caramel is added to rectify this. Such a small amount of caramel is used that it in no way affects the flavour of the whisky.
Certain selected cask bottlings and special edition whiskies do not contain spirit caramel as they are bottled from a uniform source, for example, Auchentoshan 31 Years Old Individual Cask Bottling and Glen Garioch 29 Years Old Individual Cask Bottling.
WHERE CAN I BUY BOWMORE ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY?
Bowmore is available in many countries around the globe. See our Distributors page for details.
Do you have any further questions on Morrison Bowmore Distillers' Whiskies which you think we should add to this list?
If you do, please email us on info@morrisonbowmore.co.uk and the best question each month will win a Bowmore miniature collection drum containing Bowmore Legend, Bowmore 12 Years Old, Bowmore 17 Years Old and Bowmore 21 Years Old.
Thank you for taking such an interest in our whiskies. Slainte.