The mashing and fermentation processes used for grain whisky are very similar to those for malt whisky, although the scale of produ tion is usually larger. Lactic acid bacteria are considered to be of less importance for flavour and are suppressed as far as possible to maximize ethanol yield. Formation of a acetolactate fermentation results in a serious defect in the final spirit due to conversion of to diacetyl during can be minimized by the use of higher distillation. fermentation Production temperatures A late reduction in the pH value is also beneficial since spont neous decarboxylation of ALA proceeds rapidly at pH 3.5. If neces. sary, conversion of ALA to acetyl can be minimized by the use of inert gases to protect the wash from oxygen