Whisk(e)y Terminology

Town in the west of Scotland that used to be a major production area. Now has only 3 distilleries.

E150, a color additive which is legally allowed to be added to Scotch Whisky.

The wooden barrel used to mature the whisky. These are traditionally made from oak. The most used types of oak are American, European or Japanese. Sizes vary.

Whiskey/Bourbon that is bottled after barrel aging without further dilution to lower the proof. Has a higher ABV than standard whisky. AKA - Barrel Proof

Method of filtration for Tennessee whisky. Before bottling, the whisky is filtered through maple charcoal to ‘mellow’ it.

The process of burning the inside of a cask. This blackens the inside of the cask, accelerating the natural compounds in the wood to come out once the cask is filled with spirit. The level of charring can be controlled so as to control the amount of flavor compounds that pass from the wood to the whisky during maturation.

Process to remove fat components from the whisky to stop it going cloudy when ice is added.

New spirit is naturally colorless. The colour comes from the type of cask used for maturation. Sometimes supported by the addition of E150 caramel coloring.

A person whose job is to create or repair barrels and casks.

The facility in which a cooper performs the work.

Most important grain used for Bourbon whiskey.