Mashing Maturation

Canadian. By government regulation, Canadian whiskeys contain no distilled spidts less than three years old. They are usually blended products and are often up to six years of age. Canadian whisky tends to be light bodied and deHcate in flavor. The Canadian government sets no limitations as to mashing formulas, distilling proofs, or types of cooperage used in maturation. 

The dried malted barley is ground and mashed in a tub, after which the Hquid portion is drained off, cooled, and placed in the fermentor. After fermentation, a batch distillation system is usually used to separate the whisky from the fermented wort. The stiU consists of a copper ketde with a spiral tube or "worm" leading from the top. The dimensions and shape of the stills have a critical effect on the character of the whisky. The product taken off in the first part of the distillation is called foreshots (heads). The middle portion is the high wines and the last portion is the feints (tails). The middle portion is redistilled at the 140—160° proof (70—80%) range and matured in used oak cooperage. 

Whiskey. Whiskey refers to any alcohohc distiUate made from a fermented grain mash at less than 190° proof (95%) in such a manner that it possesses the taste, aroma, and characteristics generaUy attributed to whiskey. It is matured in new or used charred oak barrels. Whiskey can be further delineated by the cereal grains used and the maturation time and blending, if any. 

Bourbon. Bourbon, and also rye, wheat, malt, and rye malt whiskeys, are made from a fermented mash not less than 51% com, rye, wheat, malt, or rye malt, respectively. They are distiUed at not over 160° proof and matured at not more than 125° proof in new charred oak barrels and bottled at not less than 80° proof. If stored for less than four years, it must be declared on the label. 

Corn Whiskey. Com whiskey must be distiUed from a fermentable mash that contains at least 80% com and at not over 160° proof. It is usuaUy matured in new uncharred oak barrels or used oak barrels and bottled at not more than 125° proof. 

Brandy. Brandy is a distikate from fermented juice, mash, fmit wine, or fmit residues. It is distiked at less than 190° proof in such a manner as to produce the taste, aroma, and characteristics generaky attributed to brandy. Fmit brandy is distiked solely from the fermented juice or mash of whole, ripe fmit or from standard grape, citms, or other fmit wine. Brandy distiked exclusively from one variety of fmit must be so designated, except grape brandy which can be identified by the term brandy. Brandy must be matured a minimum of two years in oak barrels, otherwise it must be labeled immature. 

Aromatic mm is produced on the Island of Java in Indonesia. It derives its unique aromatic character from the addition of dried red Javanese rice cakes to the fermenting mash. After maturating for three to four years, the mm is shipped to Hokand for additional aging prior to blending and bottling. 

The extractors work well on freshly harvested, early fruit which has a firm structure. However, as the degree of maturity of the fruit progresses and as the fruit becomes softer, the operation becomes more and more difficult due to the softness of the mash and the decreasing water permeability of the mash layer. Water extraction systems are more and more replaced by the simpler fruit presses. 

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