Since we are serving complimentary whiskey/whisky with every service,

we thought it would be nice to have a concise guide to match.

We will cover the basic terms you are most likely to come across,

before taking a trip around the world.

ABV

Alcohol By Volume. The measurement of alcohol strength.

Angel's Share

Alcohol lost to evaporation during maturation in the cask.

Cask

Usually made of oak.

Where whiskey/whisky is stored to age.

Impacts the flavour character depending on size, type and treatment.

Bourbon = American Oak

Sherry = European Oak.

Cask Strength

No dilution after ageing

Dram

Traditional Scotch Whisky measure.

Single Barrel

contents coming from just one barrel.

Small Batch

Generally refers to blends made from selective barrels.

Sour Mash

whiskies that uses some of the mash from the previous batch.

Sweet Mash

whiskies that uses entirely new mash.

Whiskies of the World

Scotch

Profile: Varies depending on region.

The only type of whisky spelt without the 'e'

Must contain malted barley

Aged in oak casks for minimum 3 years.

Bottled minimum 40% ABV

Single Grain

made by one distillery with grains (wheat, corn, barley).

Single Malt

made by one distillery with only water, malted barley and yeast

Blended Malt

the combination of Single Malts from a minimum of 2 distilleries

Blended Grain

the combination of Single Grain from a minimum of 2 distilleries

Blended Scotch

Combination of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch.

Peated

malt barley dried over a peat fire resulting in a distinctive smokey flavour.

Often aged in previously used barrels - Sherry, Bourbon, Port, Madeira, etc.

6 key producing regions

Highlands - Rich Fruit | Oaky | Spice | Smoke

Island - Smoke | Brine | Sweet | Black Pepper

Speyside - Vanilla | Oaky | Spice | Dried Fruit

Lowlands - Grass | Cream | Sweet | Spicy

Islay - Oily | Iodine | Smoke | Apple | Maritime

Campbel Town - Brine | Smoke | Dried Fruit | Vanilla | Sweet

Bourbon

Profile: Vanilla | Dried Fruit | Toffee | Oak | Spices

Originally associated with Kentucky

Must contain at least 51% Corn

Almost always aged in charred new Oak Barrels

Distilled to no more than 80% ABV

Bottled minimum 40% ABV

Straight Bourbon

Bourbon that's been aged for at least 2 years.

If aged less than 4 years, age statement on the bottle is required.

ie. all Straight Bourbon with no age is at least aged for 4 years.

Bottle in Bond

Bourbons comply with the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act.

The product of one distillery in one distilling season.

Aged in the U.S. supervised warehouses for a minimum for 4 years.

Tennessee Whiskey

almost the same as Bourbon.

Must be charcoal-filtered (from specifically selected sugar maple trees) before ageing.

Lighter in flavour compared to Bourbon.

Rye Whiskey

Profile: Vanilla | Toffee | Spices | Oak

Must contain at least 51% Rye

Almost always aged in charred new Oak Barrels

Bottled minimum 40% ABV

Straight Rye

Rye Whiskey that's been aged for at least 2 years.

If aged less than 4 years, age statement on the bottle is required.

ie. all Straight Rye with no age is at least aged for 4 years.

Monongahela Style

100% Rye used in distillation.

Irish Whiskey

Profile: Hay | Vanilla | Spice | Fruit

Has to be distilled in Ireland

Enzymes can be added to assist fermentation.

Aged in (various types) wood casks for minimum 3 years.

Distilled to 94.8% ABV maximum

Bottled minimum 40% ABV

Single Pot Still

Pot-distilled mixture of both malted and unmalted barley.

Exclusive to Irish Whiskies.

Japanese Whisky

Profile: Honeysuckle | Toffee | Citrus

Took inspiration from Scotch - spelt without e.

ABV: Comparable to Scotch.

Aged in a variety of wood casks

Most distilleries are owned by Nikka or Suntory

Canadian Whiskey

Profile: Toffee | Spices | Toast

Has to be distilled in Canada

Aged in 700-Litre wood barrels for minimum 3 years.

Bottled minimum 40% ABV