Whiskey Sommelier Certification (Level 1: An Introduction to Whiskey)
A collection of six modules which introduce and educate you in the diverse and wonderful world of whiskey.
Whiskey has a rich history dating back to at least the 15th century in Scotland and Ireland, where it was first produced by monks for medicinal purposes.
The global picture of whiskey is a bright one. All whiskeys across the board - from Irish to Scotch to ‘New World’ - are flourishing. Here’s where the business is now - and here’s where it’s headed.
Whiskey is an art form. Crafted from fermented grains such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat, every cask and bottle has an exceptional taste and story to tell.
Whiskey maturation is a critical process where the distilled spirit is aged in wooden barrels, typically oak, for a minimum period to develop flavour and character.
Whiskey maturation is a critical process where the distilled spirit is aged in wooden barrels, typically oak, for a minimum period to develop flavour and character.
Tasting whiskey is an art form of coating the palate and letting flavours unfold. Paying close attention to aroma, initial taste, lingering finish, and noting the complex interplay of sensations.
Introduction
13th -18th Century Chaos: When Whiskey Meets War
Poitín vs. Parliament (1760 – 1823)
The Emerging Taste of “Old Irish Pot Still”
Aeneas Coffey (1780-1852) and His Legacy
Phylloxera Strikes
Ross v. Roe (1878-1930): A Showdown in the Whiskey World
World War One (1914-1918)
Prohibition
Irish Independence
World War Two (1939-1945)
The Growth of Scotch, the Decline of Irish Whiskey
The Emergence of New World Whiskeys
Looking to the Future
Test your Knowledge
Irish Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
New World Whiskey
Test Your Knowledge
Introduction
The Legal Definition of Whisk(e)y
The Production Process
Barley Treatment And Handling
Milling
Mashing
Fermentation And Wash
Distillation
Storage
Filtration
Despatch
Single Pot Still
Single Malt
Blended
Single Grain
Peated
Test your Knowledge
What is Maturation and Why Does it Matter?
The Science Behind Maturation
What Types of Wood Can be Used to Mature Whiskey?
How to Treat the Cask to Create Flavour
How Does the Size of the Cask Affect the Extraction of Flavour?
Should Water be Added Before Maturation or Bottling?
How Full Should a Cask Be?
What About Mouthfeel?
How the Storage Location Affects the Flavour
What is an Age Statement?
Key Takeaways
Test Your Knowledge
The Perfect Serve
Why the Glass Matters
The Material
The Design
An Experiment
Why Add Water?
What Type of Water?
Types of Water
How to Add Water
An Experiment
To Chill or Not to Chill
What are Whiskey Stones?
Ice
The Devil is in the Detail
Key Takeaways
Test Your Knowledge
Introduction
How to Taste Whiskey
The Science
The Method
Appearance
Taste
The Flavour Wheel
A Journey Through Flavour
American Whiskey
Irish Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
Canadian Whiskey
Japanese Whiskey
Australian Whisky
A Proven Tasting Method
How to Score Whiskey
Key Takeaways
Test Your Knowledge