How Is Whisky Made, What’s In It, And Why Does It Burn Like That?

Are you a whisky devotee ? Yeah , us too , but it recently pass to us that we did n’t have a scooby when it came to how the amber nectar is made . So , we set out on a seeking to uncover the science of whiskey , a quest that result us to Scotland .

First , we speak toGlasgow Science Centrescience mathematical process manager Steve Owens and Roddy Graham of theGood Spirits Co. , a double - act of whisky fancier who host the centre ’s ownScience Of Whisky talk . Like all deep diving , our discussion began with the basic , and head us all the path back to the Big Bang .

On the way , we learn some enthralling things about whisky ’s plenteous account and what ’s going on with “ the jaggies ” . From how it ’s made , to what ’s in it , and why it burns like that , we treat all aspects of whisky science , and there are a couple of fun tricks in the video if you want to look like you know what you ’re blab about at parties .

Next , we channelise over toHeriot Watt Universityin Edinburgh to utter withDr Dave Ellis and Dr Ruaraidh McIntoshto find oneself out how the whisky making appendage could commute in the future if we want to maintain its delicious smokiness without further degrading precious peat deposits .

A important step in whisky production is what ’s known as killing , which some brands achieve through burn peat . An unintended consequence of that is that the smoke carry with it a wad of chemical compound . It ’s those chemical compounds that give whisky its characteristic look profile , but it has its downsides .

“ respectable peat is very good at storing carbon , ” explained Ellis to IFLScience . “ As soon as peat starts to degrade , it actually starts to extrude carbon . So , healthy peat is a very well thing , and unhealthful peat is very damaging . It ’s not a limitless resource , it will finally run for out . ”

“ It ’s authoritative for biodiversity as well . This is another part of our ecosystem that we ’re dispatch . And peat maturate [ at a rate of ] around about a millimetre a yr . So , it really postulate to be thought of as a non - renewable resource . In the same way when we ’re digging up and ember or oil , [ where it ] forms over millions of years , peat is kind of the same . ”

Together , Ellis and McIntosh have been explore renewable choice to see the variety of flavor profile that could be carried were they to supervene upon peat in the whisky fashioning cognitive process . We wo n’t spoil the surprisal , but a promising nominee can be notice in your kitchen .

So , want to become an expert on whisky ? Check out IFLScience ’s latest documentary film , The scientific discipline Of Whisky , and pledge to ourYouTube channelfor more great science video .