Richard Broadbent, a tour guide at Bairds Malt in Witham, shares his expertise on whisky production. He explores the fascinating journey of barley, detailing the malting process from steeping to kilning. The conversation dives into fermentation, emphasizing temperature control's vital role in flavor development. Broadbent also discusses the intricate art of distillation and how cask selection dramatically influences whisky maturation, highlighting that around 70% of flavor comes from the wood. This episode is a delightful blend of science, tradition, and craft in the world of Scotch whisky.
The malting process of barley is essential in unlocking chemical components critical for producing high-quality Scotch whisky.
The aging of distilled whisky in casks significantly influences its flavor, reflecting the importance of the cask type and aging duration.
Deep dives
Origins of Scotch Production
The history of Scotch whisky production traces back to ancient times in Scotland, likely commencing with monks as early as the 15th century. The process of malt whisky distilling has evolved, yet it retains aspects that are considered an intricate art form. Key to this process is the malting of barley, which begins with steeping to initiate germination, effectively unlocking the chemical components necessary for whisky production. This traditional method of production not only contributes to the flavors and aromas of the final product but also highlights the rich cultural heritage of whisky in Scotland.
Malting Process Insights
The malting process involves several crucial steps that turn raw barley into malt for brewing and distilling. It starts with the intake of locally sourced barley, which undergoes rigorous quality analysis, ensuring only the best grain is accepted for processing. The malting site in question produces around 50,000 tonnes of malted barley annually, of which a significant portion is exported to regions such as the Far East and North America. This exportation illustrates the global reputation of UK malting practices, as quality malt is essential for crafting high-end whiskies worldwide.
Transformation at the Distillery
After malting, the malted barley is ground into grist, which is essential for the sugar conversion process that occurs during mashing. Within the mash tun, hot water is added to this grist to facilitate the conversion of starch to sugars, creating a sugary solution known as wort. The cleanliness and quality of the water used are crucial, with specific sources chosen for their properties. Following this, yeast is introduced to the wort in a fermentation tank, initiating the conversion of sugars into alcohol—a pivotal stage in whisky production, where timing and temperature significantly influence flavor outcomes.
Distillation and Aging Process
The distilled wash is subjected to two rounds of distillation in copper pot stills, crucial for capturing and refining the alcohol content. The process involves discarding the initial unwanted components known as 'four shots' to ensure the purity of the final spirit. The second distillation yields a product with an alcohol level of about 71%, which is then transferred to casks for aging. The aging process is vital, accounting for a substantial portion of the whisky's flavor, as the type of cask and the duration of aging dramatically shape the final product's character, leading to a rich diversity of flavors and characteristics in Scotch whisky.
In this special episode of The Naked Scientists, join Chris Smith on a journey from farm to whisky tumbler, as he witnesses the intricate processes behind producing high quality Scotch. Richard Broadbent leads a tour of Bairds Malt's site in Witham, explaining how British barley is prepared for its transformation into the delicious spirit, before Alistair McDonald of the Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow walks us through the five hundred year old craft of distilling malt whisky... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode