CSP CSP Scotch Regions & Terroir 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many officially recognized Scotch whisky regions are there?
- Three
- Four
- Five (Correct answer)
- Six
Correct answer: Five
There are five officially recognized Scotch whisky regions: Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown.
Question 2: Which Scotch whisky region is best known for producing the most heavily peated expressions?
- Highlands
- Speyside
- Islay (Correct answer)
- Lowlands
Correct answer: Islay
Islay, a small island off Scotland's west coast, is renowned for its intensely peated, smoke-forward, and maritime whiskies.
Question 3: Which Scotch whisky region has the highest concentration of operating distilleries?
- Highlands
- Speyside (Correct answer)
- Islay
- Campbeltown
Correct answer: Speyside
Speyside, centered around the River Spey, hosts the greatest number of distilleries, including Glenfiddich, The Macallan, and Glenlivet.
Question 4: The Lowlands region is generally associated with which style of whisky?
- Heavy peat and smoke
- Light, delicate, and grassy (Correct answer)
- Rich, sherried, and full-bodied
- Briny and intensely maritime
Correct answer: Light, delicate, and grassy
Lowlands whiskies are typically light, gentle, and easy-drinking, often triple-distilled for an approachable, delicate character.
Question 5: Campbeltown, once called the 'whisky capital of the world,' is located on which Scottish peninsula?
- Kintyre (Correct answer)
- Cowal
- Ardnamurchan
- Morvern
Correct answer: Kintyre
Campbeltown sits at the tip of the Kintyre Peninsula and once boasted over 30 distilleries, though only three remain active today.
Question 6: Which river lends its name to one of Scotland's five official whisky regions?
- River Tay
- River Spey (Correct answer)
- River Dee
- River Forth
Correct answer: River Spey
The River Spey flows through much of the Speyside region and gives the area its name, with many distilleries drawing water from its tributaries.
CSP CSP Scotch Regions & Terroir 1
How many officially recognized Scotch whisky regions are there?