How malting works
The Malting Process Barley malt is the cornerstone of Whiskey production. However, newly harvested barley grains can’t be processed into Whiskey straight away – The starch contained within the barley grain must first be converted into sugar before the yeast can start fermentation; this breaking down of starch into sugar is called ‘Malting’. Malting consists of 3 main steps: Steeping the Barley Germinating the Barley Kilning th
What does ‘Cask Strength’ mean?
Cask strength is a term used by whiskey producers to describe a whiskey that has not been substantially diluted after its storage in a cask for maturation. The level of alcohol-by-volume strength for a cask-strength whiskey is typically in the range of 52 – 66% ABV. So ‘Cask Strength’ has become a byword for high […]
Malting Barley Harvest at Curraghmore Estate – 2022
The conditions were just perfect for our malting barley harvest last weekend, as we cut the Curraghmore Whiskey barley grown here on Curraghmore Estate. This is Gangway variety of barley, and we’re really happy with how it went – the yield here in the May field was 3.75 tns per acre @ 14/15% moisture. This […]
So what makes great malting barley?
This is our Gangway Spring Barley, which we think is great malting barley, and it’s coming along really nicely – it’s turning a lovely golden colour and it’s filling nicely… you can see each ‘bud’ is getting nice and plump as it fills with nutrients. We anticipate that this will be ready to harvest in […]
