We will be adding to the glossary as new material is published to the website. But in the meantime, if you come across a whisky related word or phase that you’d like defined, please drop us a line. We will be happy to add it to the glossary.
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- a
- ABV
- aldehydesany of a class of organic compounds containing the group −CHO, which yields acids when oxidized and alcohols when reduced.
- amylaseany of several digestive enzymes that break down starches.
- aqua vitaeLatin for "water of life" or aqua vita is an archaic name for a concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol.
- c
- charpartially burn (an object) so as to blacken its surface.
- congeners
- d
- draffdregs, as in a brewing process; lees; refuse.
- dramOf Scottish origin meaning a small drink of whisky or other spirits.
- e
- enzymesany of various proteins, as pepsin, originating from living cells and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action, as in digestion.
- estersEsters are responsible for much of the flavor and aroma within a whisky. They are a compound produced by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol with the elimination of a molecule of water, as ethyl acetate, C4H8O2, or dimethyl sulfate, C2H6SO4.
- ethanol(also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is a chemical compound, a simple alcohol with the chemical formula C. 2H. 6O. Its formula can be also written as CH. 3−CH. a colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable, water-miscible liquid, C2H5OH, having an(...)
- f
- finishThe flavor of the whisky will linger on the palate and will change over time as the flavor decays in the mouth. The process of transferring aged whisky from oak casks to casks made from other types of wood or have previously held another beverage such as wine, port or rum.
- foodiea person with a particular interest in food; a gourmet.
- fusel oilsa mixture of volatile, oily liquids produced in small amounts during alcoholic fermentation.
- l
- lactoneany of a group of internal esters derived from hydroxy acids.
- lactones
- lauter tun
- m
- maltgrain (as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling
- Maltingsteeping grain (as barley) in hot water, softening it, allowing to germinate.
- maltosea white, crystalline, water-soluble sugar, C12H22O11⋅H2O, formed by the action of diastase, especially from malt, on starch:
- maltster
- mash
- mash billthe mix of grains used to make a particular type of whisky.
- mash tuna vessel used in the mashing process to convert the starches in crushed grains into sugars for fermentation.
- moonshineIllegally produced alcohol
- mouth-feelrefers to the physical sensations in the mouth caused by food or drink, as distinct from taste. It is a fundamental sensory attribute which, along with taste and smell, determines the overall flavor of a food item.[1][2] Mouthfeel is also sometimes referred to as texture
- mouthfeelthe tactile sensation a food or liquid gives to the mouth:
- n
- neutral spiritsnonflavored alcohol of 95 percent, or 190 proof, obtained chiefly from grain or molasses or redistilled from brandy, rum, etc., used for blending with straight whiskies and in the making of gin, cordials, liqueurs, and the like.
- new make spiritNew-make spirit is the clear, colourless, high-proof alcoholic liquid that comes off the still during spirit production.
- p
- Pear DropA pear drop is a British boiled sweet made from sugar and flavorings. The artificial flavors isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate are responsible for the characteristic flavor of pear drops: the former confers a banana flavor, the latter a pear flavor.
- s
- sparging
- spirit safean enclosed device used in the distillation of whisky. The desired distillate from the still passes into it, and can be seen through the glass sides or windows, but cannot be directly accessed.
- w
- washWash is the finished product of fermentation destined to be distilled for the first time.
- washback
- white lightningVery high proof Moonshine. Borders on being 200 proof; it's pure grain alcohol and is illegal.
- wort