Which of the following is not a step in the mash and wort preparation for making whiskey?

Fermentation is indeed not a step in the mash and wort preparation for making whiskey. The process of making whiskey typically involves several key steps that precede fermentation.

Malting refers to the process of germinating barley grains to convert starches into sugars. This is crucial because it prepares the grains for mashing. Following malting, kilning is performed to dry the malt and stop the germination process, which influences the flavor of the whiskey. Milling comes next, wherein the dried malt is ground into a coarse powder known as grist, making it easier to extract the sugars in the next step, mashing.

Fermentation, on the other hand, occurs after the wort has been prepared through mashing, where the sugars from the malt are dissolved in hot water. During fermentation, yeast is added to the wort to convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, laying the foundation for whiskey production. Therefore, while fermentation is a critical step in the overall whiskey-making process, it does not fall under the category of mash and wort preparation, which focuses on the initial steps of preparing the grain before fermentation occurs.