THE LANGUAGE BEHIND THE LABEL

A few words.
A clearer picture.

Plain-language orientation for beginners. Technical and legal definitions can be more specific than these summaries.

Fermentation

The stage in which yeast converts sugars into alcohol and other compounds.

Distillation

Separation through vaporization and condensation; a different stage from fermentation.

Still

Equipment used for distillation. Its design varies with the production system.

Wash

A term commonly used for fermented liquid in whisky production before distillation.

Maturation

The period in which a spirit develops during storage, often in casks for aged spirits.

Blending

Combining selected spirits to create a chosen product profile, within its applicable rules.

ABV

Alcohol by volume: the proportion of alcohol in a liquid, expressed as a percentage.

Working distillery

An operation that produces spirits. A visitor experience in former distillery buildings may not be a working production site.

For a category-specific reference, read the Scotch Whisky Association FAQs. For a producer’s actual process, use that producer’s own materials.

Check your understanding

Three informal questions. No score is stored and this is not a certification.