DrinkNeatly
Your personal whisky guide.
Whiskey Glossary
Essential terms for every dram
Single Malt
Whisky made at a single distillery using only malted barley and pot stills. The gold standard of Scotch whisky.
Blended Scotch
A mix of single malt and grain whiskies from multiple distilleries. Accounts for ~90% of Scotch production.
Bourbon
American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels. Must be made in the USA.
Rye Whiskey
Whiskey made from at least 51% rye grain. Spicier and drier than bourbon. Popular in cocktails.
ABV
Alcohol By Volume — the percentage of alcohol in the bottle. Most whiskies are 40–46% ABV at standard strength.
Cask Strength
Bottled directly from the cask without dilution. Typically 55–65% ABV. Add a few drops of water to open up the flavours.
NAS
No Age Statement. The bottle contains whisky without a guaranteed minimum age. Can be excellent — don't dismiss it.
Peated
Whisky with smoky character from malted barley dried over burning peat. Measured in PPM (phenol parts per million).
PPM
Parts Per Million — measures the phenol content (smokiness) in peated whisky. 1–5 PPM is lightly peated; Octomore exceeds 300 PPM.
Dram
A measure of whisky — historically 1/8 of a fluid ounce. Today, simply a glass of whisky.
Finish
The lasting flavours and sensations after swallowing. A long, complex finish is prized.
Nose
The aromas you detect before tasting. Swirl gently, keep your mouth slightly open.
Palate
The flavours experienced on the tongue and across the mouth when tasting.
Islay
Scottish island renowned for intensely smoky, peaty whiskies. Home to Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin.
Speyside
Scotland's most prolific whisky region, centred on the River Spey. Famous for fruity, elegant malts — Glenfiddich, Macallan.
Expression
A specific variant or bottling from a distillery — e.g. a 12-year-old or a sherry cask finish.
Sherry Cask
A cask previously used to mature sherry. Imparts dried fruit, spice, and richness to the whisky.
Ex-Bourbon Cask
The most common cask type for Scotch maturation. Adds vanilla, honey, and subtle oak notes.
Triple Distilled
Distilled three times rather than two. Common in Irish whiskey — produces a lighter, smoother spirit.
Vatted / Blended Malt
A mix of single malts from different distilleries, but no grain whisky. Previously called 'pure malt'.