Whiskey Terms Every New Whiskey Drinker Should Know

Whiskey class is now in session. Once you're all studied up, head over to THE WHISKEY FIVE to find the perfect whiskey that matches your taste.

Cask

Kellyvandellen / Getty Images

A cask (often referred to as a "barrel") is the oak vessel the whiskey sits in while it matures. You can't just throw whiskey into any ol' container. Casks are cool because the different types of oak (American, European, etc.) a cask is made of can affect the notes and the flavors of the whiskey. Different countries have their own regulations on how long a spirit can be rested in oak before it can legally be called whiskey. For example, in Scotland, it’s three years — whereas in the bourbon industry, there’s no minimum time stipulated.

Maturation

Brian Smith / Getty Images

Maturation is what happens over time while the whiskey spends its life in the cask. While the whiskey sits in the cask, it goes through three different processes: additive (absorbing wood sugars, congeners, and color), subtractive (the immature character is removed by the char or toasting layer), and interactive (new flavors and aromas are created through the interactivity of various chemical processes).

Malt Whiskey

Nikolay100 / Getty Images

To make whiskey, grains are put through a process that includes mashing, which breaks down starch into sugars. American malt whiskey is made from a fermented mash of at least 51% malted barley. Malt is a grain that, through a process that includes germination and drying, creates starches that are then converted into sugars that can be converted into alcohol. In Scotland, a "single malt whisky" must be made from 100% malted barley in a copper pot still from a single distillery — i.e., Lagavulin or Talisker.

Scotch Whisky

Twstipp / Getty Images

Scotch whisky is split into two main categories: single grain and single malt. The former is made using continuous distillation and can be a combination of grains (malted and unmalted) whereas the latter is made in copper pot stills and must be made from 100% malted barley. Legally it can only be made and matured in Scotland for a minimum of three years, following all of the laws laid down by the Scotch Whisky Association.

Single Barrel

Invizbk / Getty Images

Single barrel is a pretty straightforward term. This means that instead of blending different whiskeys from multiple barrels, single barrel whiskey is aged in one individual barrel.

Small Batch

Rusak / Getty Images

Small batch whiskey is whiskey that's made by combining a smaller number of barrels than is typically used. It should be noted that there is no legal definition to be called "small batch," and it’s used at the discretion of the producer.

Straight Whisky

Lucentius / Getty Images

Straight whisky is produced from a fermented mash of no less than 51% of any one type of corn, barley, rye, or wheat and stored in new charred new oak containers for a minimum of two years or more. In layman's terms, she fancy.

“Straight whisky” may also include mixtures of two or more straight whiskies provided all of the whiskies are produced in the same state!

Blended Whiskey

Curraheeshutter / Getty Images

American blended whiskey means a whiskey made from at least 20% straight whiskey, or a blend of straight whiskies and whiskey of other styles. In Ireland and Scotland, however, it means something completely different. There are sub-categories like "blended malt" and "blended grain" — the most popular and largest category is just referred to as "blended," and it means a combination of single malt and grain whiskies. Yum.

Oxidation

Mrzazaz / Getty Images

Oxidation is the process that occurs once a bottle of whiskey has been opened and exposed to oxygen. The oxidation process varies depending on different factors from the age of the liquid through to the ABV (alcohol by volume), or alcohol strength. Oxidation also occurs in the barrel and is an important part of the maturation process. Oxidation can be slowed down if you’ve got an old or rare bottle by decanting the liquid into a smaller bottle.

Now that you've got the basics, customize the whiskey experience your way with THE WHISKEY FIVE's ultimate whiskey flavor guide.

All images via iStock. Unless otherwise noted, all facts provided by THE WHISKEY FIVE.

Please Drink Responsibly

© 2018 Diageo, Norwalk CT