The Bourbon and whiskey world is big and challenging. At times, even the most decorated bourbon enthusiasts find it hard to maneuver its terminology and definitions. It might also be challenging to know all the basics. That is why The People's Bourbon Review decided to present some of the most common terms in the whiskey world.
Bourbon is best when enjoyed amongst a company of friends. When you are with these friends, it's important to know how to communicate accurately concerning whiskey by learning its terminology.
Glossary of Bourbon & Whiskey Terminology
ABV. What Does ABV Represent in the Whiskey World?
ABV is the average amount by the percentage of alcohol or ethanol that an alcoholic beverage like wh...
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Age/Age Statement. What is an Alcohol Age/Age Statement?
The age statement is the cumulative time that has taken the whiskey to mature or age. The law doesn&...
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American Whiskey. What is American Whiskey?
American Whiskey is just that, whiskey made in the United States or territories of the United States...
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Angel's Share. What is the Angel's Share in Whiskey?
The part of whiskey that is lost to evaporation during the whiskey aging process.
These alc...
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Backset. What is Backset in Distillation?
Backset is the watery leftover portion of a whiskey mash left in the still after a batch i...
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Barley. What is Barley in Whiskey Production?
This is a type of grain that is cultivated, harvested, and dried purposely for alcohol production. I...
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Barrel/Cask. Barrel vs Cask: Is There a Difference?
Distilleries have always used the terms barrel and cask interchangeably to mean hollow containers, w...
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Barrel/Cask Strength/Proof. Are Barrel Proof, Cask Strength, and Barrel Strength the Same Thing?
Cask strength, barrel strength, and barrel proof refer to the same thing in whiskey production. It i...
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Blend. Blended Bourbon or Whiskey
A blend is a final product formed after mixing several types of whiskeys or spirits. Often, the bour...
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Blended Whiskey. What is Blended Whiskey?
Blended Whiskey is whiskey produced by blending not less than 20% on a proof gallon basis (excluding...
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Blender. What is a Whiskey Blender?
The terminology blender represents one individual or a group of people who have the expertise to ble...
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Bottled-in-Bond. What is Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey?
Bottled-in-bond is a type of whiskey that is a product of one distiller in a single spring or fall s...
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Bourbon. What is Bourbon?
Bourbon is an American whiskey made from corn and containing at least 51% of this grain. These ...
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Bourbon Whiskey. What is Bourbon Whiskey?
Bourbon Whiskey is whiskey produced in the United State at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 ...
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Bung. What is a Bourbon Barrel Bung?
Bourbon or whiskey barrels have a circular opening that allows the distiller to empty or fill the ba...
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Bunghole. What is a Bunghole in Whiskey Terminology?
A bunghole is a circular opening in a wooden whiskey barrel that is used for adding or removing...
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Cask. What is a Whiskey Cask?
A cask is an oak container that is used to age whiskey and other alcoholic beverages. Wooden barrels...
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Cask Strength. Cask Strength
A cask strength whiskey is a whiskey that is bottled at the same proof or alcohol content as when it...
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Char/Charring. What is Char or Charring in Whiskey Terminology?
Charring is the extent to which a distiller partly burns the internal surface of the wood casks befo...
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Chill Filtration. What is Chill Filtration?
Chill filtration is the process by which distillers pass whiskies through fine adsorption filters to...
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Congener. What is an example of a congener?
The fermentation process is a chemical process that is essential in the manufacture of alcohol. Sinc...
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Cooper/Cooperage. What is Cooperage in Bourbon?
A cooper is a term used to refer to an individual skilled at professionally making and repairing cas...
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Corn. Corn in the Production of Whiskey
Corn is a cereal type of grain that originated from North America for multiple purposes, including m...
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Distillation. What is Distillation in Simple Words?
Distillation is among the fundamental processes in the production of whiskey. It involves separating...
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Distiller/Distillery. What is a Distillery?
The term distiller refers to an individual or an organization that manufactures alcoholic beverages ...
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Distiller's Beer. What is Distiller's Beer?
Distiller's beer is a phrase that refers to a type of thick beer whose primary ingredients inclu...
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Doubler. What is a Doubler in Whiskey Production?
A doubler is a large copper still that increases the purity and improves the taste of what...
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Dram. How Much is a Dram?
This word has its origin in Scotland, where it was used and is still being used to indicate one serv...
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Ethanol. What is Ethanol in Whiskey?
Ethanol is a product of natural fermentation, a chemical reaction that involves breaking down sugars...
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Expression. What is an Expression in Bourbon?
This word refers to any deviation from the original formula and procedure for making a particular wh...
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Finger. What is a Finger of Whiskey?
This term is popular in measuring the amount of distilled spirits. It indicates the amount by volume...
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Finish. What is "Finish" in Whiskey Terminology?
First, the word finish is a term used in whiskey production where it refers to the type of whiskey t...
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Foreshots/Feints. What are Foreshots and Feints in Whiskey Production?
Foreshots are the initial fractions of the distillate obtained during the distillation process of al...
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Lincoln County Process. Lincoln County Process
The “Lincoln County Process” is a Tennessee whiskey production method in which whis...
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Mash. What is Mash in Whiskey?
In the bourbon or whiskey-making process the mash is brewed or cooked mixture of grains that a...
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Mash Bill. Mash Bill
A mash bill is the percentage or mix of grains (wheat, rye, corn, barley, etc) used to mak...
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Master. What is a Master Distiller?
Master is a title in distilling industries that refers to individuals who have become experts in all...
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Mood Drinker. What is a Mood Drinker in Whiskey Terminology?
A mood drinker is a person who likes a lot of different types or taste profiles of whiskeys but when...
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Nose/Nosing. Nose or Nosing in Whiskey |
Nosing is a process that experts use to identify the notes or aromas of a particular whiskey through...
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Oak. What is Oak and Why is it Used in Bourbon Making?
Oak is a special and unique tree that bears acorns. This tree also produces lumber which is a critic...
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Oxidation. What is Bourbon Oxidation?
Oxidation is a general term that explains the gradual process by which a whiskey in a bottle starts ...
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Palate. What is Palate in Bourbon Tasting?
The term palate is popular in whiskey tasting processes and mainly refers to an individual'...
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Peat/Peated. What is Peat and Why is it Important to Whisky?
Peat is a substance formed due to the slow rate of plant material decay. This decay is due to w...
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Proof. What Does Proof Mean In Whiskey?
Proof is a measurement of the alcohol content of bourbon or other whiskeys. Typically it is twice th...
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Region. What is "Region" in Bourbon Terminology?
The region is a general term representing a specific setting, environment, or geographical location ...
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Rye. What Does Rye Whiskey Mean?
Rye is a unique type of grass that belongs to the family of cereal grains considered as fit for huma...
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Rye Whiskey. What is Rye Whiskey?
Rye Whiskey is whiskey produced at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof) from a fermented ...
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Scotch. What is Scotch?
Scotch is a type of whisky that undergoes the entire production process in Scotland under Scotland&#...
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Single Barrel. What does Single Barrel Mean in Bourbon?
Single barrel and single cask have a similar meaning indicating a more pure bottle of whiskey that o...
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Small Batch. What is Considered Small Batch Bourbon?
'Small batch' is a phrase that defines a bottle of whiskey, like Bourbon, that has been...
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Sour Mash/Sweet Mash. What is Sour Mash?
Mash is a term used in the whiskey industry to mean a blend of hot water, yeast, and grain meal that...
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Spirit. What is Spirit in the Whiskey Industry?
The word spirit in the whiskey industry is often used interchangeably with liquor to refer to an alc...
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Still. What is a Still?
A still or a pot still is a type of equipment in the world of whiskey whose primary function is the ...
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Straight. What Does Straight Bourbon Mean?
According to United States Law's definition, straight is a word that means a type of spirit from...
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Straight Bourbon Whiskey. What is Straight Bourbon Whiskey?
Straight Bourbon Whiskey is Bourbon whiskey stored in charred new oak containers for 2 years or more...
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Straight Rye Whiskey. What is Straight Rye Whiskey?
Straight Rye Whiskey is rye whiskey stored in charred new oak containers for 2 years or more. &ldquo...
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Straight Wheat Whiskey. What is Straight Wheat Whiskey?
Straight Wheat Whiskey is wheat whiskey stored in charred new oak containers for 2 years or more. &l...
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Tater. What is a Whiskey Tater? Bourbon Slang
A person who perpetuates whiskey hype. They are typically new enthusiasts who "hear" that ...
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Tennessee Whiskey. What is Tennessee Whiskey? How is it Different than Bourbon?
As its name suggests, Tennessee Whiskey must be made in Tennessee. However, it must also u...
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Thumper. What is a Thumper in Bourbon Production?
A thumper is a type of still that is used to process the second distillation of bourbon. The thumper...
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Tun. What is a Mash Tun?
Tun refers to a huge container made from either copper or stainless steel, whose primary function is...
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Unicorn. What is a Unicorn in Whiskey?
Whiskey fanatics and enthusiasts use the term 'Unicorn' to refer to a highly prized or sough...
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Wheat Whiskey. What is Wheat Whiskey?
Wheat Whiskey is whiskey produced at not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof) from a fermente...
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Whiskey. What is Whiskey?
Whiskey is the main product of grain mash fermentation and successive distillation processes in stil...
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Whisky. What is Whisky?
Whisky is a product of grain mash fermentation and subsequent distillation in pot stills before bein...
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White Lightning. What is White Lightning?
This term refers to high-proof grain alcohol that is white in color and manufactured illicitly ...
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Yeast. What is Yeast in the Production of Whiskey?
Yeast is a type of beneficial microorganism that is popular in the manufacture of alcoholic beverage...
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Dictionary Words