CSP Scotch Whisky History & Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Wash Act of 1784 was designed to suppress illicit distilling in which region of Scotland?
- The Highlands (Correct answer)
- The Lowlands
- Campbeltown
- Islay
Correct answer: The Highlands
The Wash Act of 1784 targeted the Highlands, where illicit distilling was rampant, by drawing a 'Highland Line' to enforce different taxation zones.
Question 2: Which individual is often credited with founding the first licensed distillery under the Excise Act of 1823?
- George Smith of Glenlivet (Correct answer)
- John Jameson
- Robert Stein
- Andrew Usher
Correct answer: George Smith of Glenlivet
George Smith of Glenlivet was the first to take out a license under the Excise Act of 1823, making The Glenlivet one of Scotland's earliest legal distilleries.
Question 3: What minimum alcohol strength must new-make spirit reach during distillation to legally be called Scotch Whisky?
- 94.8% ABV (Correct answer)
- 63.5% ABV
- 40% ABV
- 70% ABV
Correct answer: 94.8% ABV
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 require that spirit must not be distilled to an alcoholic strength of 94.8% ABV or above to preserve the raw material's character.
Question 4: Which treaty in 1707 unified the Scottish and English parliaments and had lasting effects on Scotch whisky taxation?
- Acts of Union (Correct answer)
- Treaty of Edinburgh
- Treaty of Berwick
- Glorious Revolution
Correct answer: Acts of Union
The Acts of Union 1707 merged Scotland and England, bringing English malt taxes to Scotland and fueling widespread illicit distilling in response.
Question 5: Under SWR 2009, what is the required minimum bottling strength for all Scotch Whisky?
- 40% ABV (Correct answer)
- 43% ABV
- 46% ABV
- 37.5% ABV
Correct answer: 40% ABV
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 specify a minimum bottling strength of 40% ABV for all categories of Scotch Whisky.
Question 6: Which Scottish region historically dominated Scotch whisky production before the Victorian boom of the late 19th century?
- Campbeltown (Correct answer)
- Speyside
- Islay
- The Lowlands
Correct answer: Campbeltown
Campbeltown was once nicknamed the 'whisky capital of the world' with over 30 distilleries, before overproduction and quality issues caused its decline.
Question 7: What technological innovation by Robert Stein in 1828 revolutionized grain whisky production?
- The patent continuous still (Correct answer)
- The pot still condenser
- The worm tub cooler
- The drum malt kiln
Correct answer: The patent continuous still
Robert Stein invented the continuous (patent) still in 1828, enabling large-scale, efficient grain whisky production that later formed the base of blended Scotch.
CSP Scotch Whisky History & Regulations 2
The Wash Act of 1784 was designed to suppress illicit distilling in which region of Scotland?