The process is very simple and requires only three ingredients namely:
1. Barley
2. Water
3. Yeast
Step1: Malting the barley
Barley is soaked in water tanks for 2 to 3 days, before spreading it on the floors of the malt house for germination. The germination is stopped abruptly by drying the barley in a kiln. Kilns in distilleries can be easily identified by their strange shaped chimney.
In making the Scottish whiskey, this drying of barley is done through the smoke from Peat - which is a local fuel. The smoke adds to the aroma of the whiskey. The result is malted barley.
Step2: Making alcohol
The malted barley is grounded into rough powder and mixed with hot water. This converts the starch in the malted barley, into a sugary liquid called wort. The wort is kept in fermentation vessels and yeast is added to it. This converts the sugary liquid into a crude alcohol. This is known as wash. The illustrative chemical equation for those who care is:
C6H12O6 (Sugar) --> 2(CH3CH2OH) (Ethanol)+ 2(Co2)
Step3: Filtering through distillation
The crude alcohol developed at the end of stage 2 needs to be refined for sale and consumption. This is done through the simple chemistry lab process of distillation. In this process the wash is heated in a furnace, which vaporises the alcohol. The alcohol vapors pass through a stem, get condensed and are collected on the other side. The stillman collects the whiskey and the quality of it depends on the skills of the stillman - what to keep and what to leave.
This is the soothing, tasty whiskey for you.
A scotch whiskey is distilled twice.
Only after a maturation of 3 years can a spirit be officially called "Scotch Whiskey".
So now u know, how the drink, which has always made you so glad, is made ? Cheers!!!
