CSP CSP Age Statements, Expressions & Limited Releases 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the abbreviation 'NAS' stand for on a Scotch whisky label?
- Non-Aged Spirit
- No Age Statement (Correct answer)
- Natural Age Specification
- New American Standard
Correct answer: No Age Statement
NAS stands for No Age Statement, meaning no specific age is declared on the label, though the whisky must still meet the legally required minimum three-year maturation.
Question 2: According to Scotch Whisky Regulations, what is the minimum maturation period before a spirit can legally be called Scotch whisky?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
All Scotch whisky must be matured in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years before it can legally carry the name Scotch whisky.
Question 3: When a blended Scotch whisky carries an age statement such as '12 Years Old,' what does this age legally refer to?
- The average age of all whiskies in the blend
- The age of the oldest whisky in the blend
- The age of the youngest whisky in the blend (Correct answer)
- The age of the dominant whisky in the blend
Correct answer: The age of the youngest whisky in the blend
By law, an age statement on blended Scotch must reflect the youngest component in the blend, ensuring that consumers are not misled by higher-aged components.
Question 4: What is a 'vintage' Scotch whisky?
- A whisky aged over 25 years
- A whisky showing the specific year of distillation on the label (Correct answer)
- A whisky drawn from a single barrel
- A whisky produced at a now-closed distillery
Correct answer: A whisky showing the specific year of distillation on the label
A vintage Scotch whisky displays the year of distillation on the label, and the gap between that year and the bottling date reveals the whisky's actual age.
Question 5: Which term describes a limited bottling drawn from one individual barrel, typically released at its natural cask strength?
- Small Batch
- Distillery Reserve
- Single Cask (Correct answer)
- Master's Selection
Correct answer: Single Cask
A single cask bottling comes from one specific barrel and is usually released at cask strength without dilution, making each release unique in character and quantity.
Question 6: What does 'cask strength' indicate on a Scotch whisky label?
- The whisky was aged in extra-large casks
- The whisky was not diluted with water before bottling (Correct answer)
- The whisky was double-matured for extra intensity
- The whisky meets a minimum legal 50% ABV requirement
Correct answer: The whisky was not diluted with water before bottling
Cask strength means the whisky is bottled at the natural alcohol level straight from the barrel, without water being added to reduce the strength.
CSP CSP Age Statements, Expressions & Limited Releases 1
What does the abbreviation 'NAS' stand for on a Scotch whisky label?