Definition
Sep 9, 2025
Whisky Words: Drum Maltings
Drum maltings are modern malting vessels that rotate to stir the germinating barley. Unlike traditional floor malting, these pneumatic drums automate the process – efficient and consistent.
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Sep 2, 2025
Whisky Words: ABV
ABV = Alcohol by Volume. Whether in cask or bottle, this number tells us how strong a whisky is. A vital metric for distillers, blenders and drinkers alike.
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Aug 26, 2025
Whisky Words: Tannins
Tannins are oak compounds responsible for the dry, sometimes astringent notes in whisky. European oak tends to release more tannins than American oak – a key flavour distinction.
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Aug 19, 2025
Whisky Words: Enzymes
Enzymes are whisky’s molecular workhorses. Found naturally in barley, they break down starches and proteins into simpler compounds.
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Aug 12, 2025
Whisky Words: Washback
Fermentation happens here! Washbacks (aka fermenters) are filled with wort and yeast, kicking off the transformation into alcohol. Whether made of wood or stainless steel, they play a vital role in developing flavour.
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Aug 5, 2025
Whisky Words: Mashing
Mashing is the heart of the sugar-making process in whisky. It’s where hot water and grist mix to release sugars, setting the stage for fermentation. Without it, there’s no alcohol.
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Jul 29, 2025
Whisky Words: Mashtun
The mashtun is where it all begins. This essential vessel is where grist meets hot water, triggering saccharification – breaking starch into fermentable sugars. The result? Wort, ready for fermentation.
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Jul 4, 2024
Whisky Words: Spirit Still
Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “A spirit still is the second still used for making single malt Scotch...
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Jul 4, 2024
Yeast & the Scotch Whisky Production Process
Yeast is a single-celled organism which feeds on sugar, producing alcohol, carbon dioxide, heat and flavour compounds...
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Jul 3, 2024
Whisky Words: Water
Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Water is one of the main raw materials that we use in making single m...
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May 1, 2024
Whisky Words: Lyne Arm
The lyne arm is part of the still - also called the lye pipe - and it's what connects the top of the still to the condenser unit. The slope of the lye pipe is really important with regards to reflux in the final spirit.
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