Straight whiskey
Encyclopedia
Straight whiskey is whisky
(without additives) created by distilling a fermented
(malt
ed or unmalted) cereal grain mash
to create a spirit
not exceeding 80% alcohol content by volume
(abv) and then aging the spirit for at least two years at an abv concentration not exceeding 62.5% at the start of the aging process.
Filtering
and dilution with water (while retaining at least a 40% abv concentration) are the only allowed modifications for straight whiskey prior to its bottling – the addition of caramel
and other colorings and flavorings is not allowed. American straight whisky
must be aged in charred new oak barrels and must be put into the barrels for aging at a concentration not exceeding 62.5% abv. This is the definition established for production of American whiskey
by regulation in the United States
(Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Pt. 5.22). Straight whiskey is also an important component of blended whiskey
. American blended whisky must contain at least 20% straight whisky (or it must be labelled as light blended whisky rather than just blended whiskey). For whisky produced in other countries, the minimum percentage of straight whisky within blended whisky and the requirement to age the whisky in new barrels typically do not apply.
The limit of 80% abv concentration is a key element of the definition of straight whiskey. At alcohol concentrations exceeding this amount, most of the flavor from the original fermented mash that was used in the distillation process will be removed, resulting in neutral flavor. Much of the reason to include straight whiskey when making blended whiskey is to restore some of the flavor that has been removed from the other neutral (or near-neutral) spirits that are less expensive to produce than straight whiskey. However, the flavor of blended whiskey is often "lighter" than that of straight whiskey due to the use of higher-purity distillations in the blending production process.
In some countries, such as Canada
, Scotland
, and Ireland
, there is no such requirement to use at least 20% straight whisky when making a blended whisky, and the production of blended whisky in these countries may typically use much lower percentages of straight whisky. Moreover, even the regulations governing single malt whisky production in some countries including Scotland, Ireland, and Canada allow distillation to near-neutral levels of alcohol concentration and allow the addition of caramel colouring.
When at least 51% of the content of the mash used in the distillation consisted of one specific type of grain, the term straight can be coupled with the name of the grain and an indication of whether the grain was malt
ed . The following grain type identifiers can be coupled with the term straight in such cases: Bourbon
(using a mash of corn/maize
), Malt (using a mash of malted barley
), Rye
, Rye malt, and Wheat
. For example, the labeling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is commonly used to indicate a straight whiskey made in Kentucky using a corn mash.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
(without additives) created by distilling a fermented
Fermentation (biochemistry)
Fermentation is the process of extracting energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. In contrast, respiration is where electrons are donated to an exogenous electron acceptor, such as oxygen,...
(malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ed or unmalted) cereal grain mash
Mashing
In brewing and distilling, mashing is the process of combining a mix of milled grain , known as the "grain bill", and water, known as "liquor", and heating this mixture...
to create a spirit
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
not exceeding 80% alcohol content by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(abv) and then aging the spirit for at least two years at an abv concentration not exceeding 62.5% at the start of the aging process.
Filtering
Chill filtering
Chill filtering is a method in whisky making for removing residue. In chill filtering, whisky is cooled to between -10 and 4 degrees Celsius and passed through a fine adsorption filter...
and dilution with water (while retaining at least a 40% abv concentration) are the only allowed modifications for straight whiskey prior to its bottling – the addition of caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a beige to dark-brown confection made by heating any of a variety of sugars. It is used as a flavoring in puddings and desserts, as a filling in bonbons, and as a topping for ice cream, custard and coffee....
and other colorings and flavorings is not allowed. American straight whisky
American whiskey
American whiskey is a distilled beverage produced in the United States from a fermented mash of cereal grain.The production and labeling of American whiskey are governed by Title 27 of the U.S...
must be aged in charred new oak barrels and must be put into the barrels for aging at a concentration not exceeding 62.5% abv. This is the definition established for production of American whiskey
American whiskey
American whiskey is a distilled beverage produced in the United States from a fermented mash of cereal grain.The production and labeling of American whiskey are governed by Title 27 of the U.S...
by regulation in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Pt. 5.22). Straight whiskey is also an important component of blended whiskey
Blended whiskey
A blended whisky is the product of blending different types of whiskies and often also neutral and near-neutral spirits, coloring, and flavorings...
. American blended whisky must contain at least 20% straight whisky (or it must be labelled as light blended whisky rather than just blended whiskey). For whisky produced in other countries, the minimum percentage of straight whisky within blended whisky and the requirement to age the whisky in new barrels typically do not apply.
The limit of 80% abv concentration is a key element of the definition of straight whiskey. At alcohol concentrations exceeding this amount, most of the flavor from the original fermented mash that was used in the distillation process will be removed, resulting in neutral flavor. Much of the reason to include straight whiskey when making blended whiskey is to restore some of the flavor that has been removed from the other neutral (or near-neutral) spirits that are less expensive to produce than straight whiskey. However, the flavor of blended whiskey is often "lighter" than that of straight whiskey due to the use of higher-purity distillations in the blending production process.
In some countries, such as Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, there is no such requirement to use at least 20% straight whisky when making a blended whisky, and the production of blended whisky in these countries may typically use much lower percentages of straight whisky. Moreover, even the regulations governing single malt whisky production in some countries including Scotland, Ireland, and Canada allow distillation to near-neutral levels of alcohol concentration and allow the addition of caramel colouring.
When at least 51% of the content of the mash used in the distillation consisted of one specific type of grain, the term straight can be coupled with the name of the grain and an indication of whether the grain was malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ed . The following grain type identifiers can be coupled with the term straight in such cases: Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
(using a mash of corn/maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
), Malt (using a mash of malted barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
), Rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
, Rye malt, and Wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
. For example, the labeling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is commonly used to indicate a straight whiskey made in Kentucky using a corn mash.