Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit
This study compared the use of three sensory and analytical techniques: Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), Napping, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the assessment of flavour in nine unmatured whisky spirits produced using different yeasts. Hierarchical Multiple Factor Anal...
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doaj-ac74446ce06741d781afa9a59d4e25af2021-02-05T00:03:50ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-02-01111410141010.3390/app11041410Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky SpiritMartina Daute0Frances Jack1Irene Baxter2Barry Harrison3John Grigor4Graeme Walker5Division of Engineering and Food Science, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UKThe Scotch Whisky Research Institute, Edinburgh EH14 4AH, UKThe Scotch Whisky Research Institute, Edinburgh EH14 4AH, UKThe Scotch Whisky Research Institute, Edinburgh EH14 4AH, UKDivision of Engineering and Food Science, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UKDivision of Engineering and Food Science, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UKThis study compared the use of three sensory and analytical techniques: Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), Napping, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the assessment of flavour in nine unmatured whisky spirits produced using different yeasts. Hierarchical Multiple Factor Analysis (HMFA) showed a similar pattern of sample discrimination (RV scores: 0.895–0.927) across the techniques: spirits were mostly separated by their Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Low ABV spirits tended to have heavier flavour characteristics (<i>feinty, cereal, sour, oily, sulphury</i>) than high ABV spirits, which were lighter in character (<i>fruity, sweet, floral, solventy, soapy</i>). QDA differentiated best between low ABV spirits and GC-MS between high ABV spirits, with Napping having the lowest resolution. QDA was time-consuming but provided quantitative flavour profiles of each spirit that could be readily compared. Napping, although quicker, gave an overview of the flavour differences of the spirits, while GC-MS provided semi-quantitative ratios of 96 flavour compounds for differentiating between spirits. Ester, arenes and certain alcohols were found in higher concentrations in high ABV spirits and other alcohols and aldehydes in low ABV spirits. The most comprehensive insights on spirit flavour differences produced by different yeast strains are obtained through the application of a combination of approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/4/1410QDAGC-MSnappingsensoryvolatile compoundswhisky |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Martina Daute Frances Jack Irene Baxter Barry Harrison John Grigor Graeme Walker |
spellingShingle |
Martina Daute Frances Jack Irene Baxter Barry Harrison John Grigor Graeme Walker Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit Applied Sciences QDA GC-MS napping sensory volatile compounds whisky |
author_facet |
Martina Daute Frances Jack Irene Baxter Barry Harrison John Grigor Graeme Walker |
author_sort |
Martina Daute |
title |
Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit |
title_short |
Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit |
title_full |
Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit |
title_fullStr |
Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit |
title_full_unstemmed |
Comparison of Three Approaches to Assess the Flavour Characteristics of Scotch Whisky Spirit |
title_sort |
comparison of three approaches to assess the flavour characteristics of scotch whisky spirit |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Applied Sciences |
issn |
2076-3417 |
publishDate |
2021-02-01 |
description |
This study compared the use of three sensory and analytical techniques: Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA), Napping, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for the assessment of flavour in nine unmatured whisky spirits produced using different yeasts. Hierarchical Multiple Factor Analysis (HMFA) showed a similar pattern of sample discrimination (RV scores: 0.895–0.927) across the techniques: spirits were mostly separated by their Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Low ABV spirits tended to have heavier flavour characteristics (<i>feinty, cereal, sour, oily, sulphury</i>) than high ABV spirits, which were lighter in character (<i>fruity, sweet, floral, solventy, soapy</i>). QDA differentiated best between low ABV spirits and GC-MS between high ABV spirits, with Napping having the lowest resolution. QDA was time-consuming but provided quantitative flavour profiles of each spirit that could be readily compared. Napping, although quicker, gave an overview of the flavour differences of the spirits, while GC-MS provided semi-quantitative ratios of 96 flavour compounds for differentiating between spirits. Ester, arenes and certain alcohols were found in higher concentrations in high ABV spirits and other alcohols and aldehydes in low ABV spirits. The most comprehensive insights on spirit flavour differences produced by different yeast strains are obtained through the application of a combination of approaches. |
topic |
QDA GC-MS napping sensory volatile compounds whisky |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/4/1410 |
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