Explainer
Aug 25, 2026
Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That? Part 5: Is It Really All About the Cask?
Ask almost anyone where whisky gets its flavour and you'll probably hear the same answer: 'the cask.' It's easy to se...
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Aug 24, 2026
Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That? Part 4: Does the Shape of a Still Really Matter?
Imagine giving two chefs the same ingredients and asking them to make the same meal. Chances are, the results would b...
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Aug 17, 2026
Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That? Part 3: Where Do Fruity Whisky Flavours Really Come From?
Ask someone where whisky gets its flavour and there's a good chance they'll point to the cask. After all, Scotch whis...
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Aug 10, 2026
Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That? Part 2: Why Doesn't Every Smoky Whisky Taste the Same?
"If peat is just smoke, why can one whisky remind you of a bonfire while another tastes of seaweed, barbecue or even ...
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Jul 29, 2026
Why Does This Whisky Taste Like That? Part 1: Can You Really Taste Barley in Whisky?
"Why do Scotch whiskies all taste so different?" It's one of the first questions many curious whisky drinkers ask.
Af...
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Jul 2, 2024
How is Scotch whisky made? A Step-by-Step Guide
While each distillery in Scotland will have their own nuances regarding production, malt Scotch whisky is made through a meticulous process that typically involves six key steps.
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May 21, 2024
Explainer: Toasting
While toasting might conjure up images of raising a glass in celebration, in the Scotch whisky world, it refers to a ...
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Apr 17, 2024
Michael Walsh on Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s Irish Whiskey Flavour Wheel
Our Irish Whiskey Flavour Wheel offers a guided journey through the sensory delights of the category and prompts conversation with either yourself or others as Michael Walsh explains in this video.
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Feb 7, 2024
Esters and the Scotch whisky production process
In the Scotch whisky production process, esters are primarily generated during fermentation when yeast interacts with the sugars present in the malted barley during mashing. Yeast metabolises the sugars, producing alcohol and various flavour compounds, including esters.
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The ideal grist ratio for making Scotch whisky
The grist ratio is a vital parameter for the distiller as it tells them how well the malted barley has been ground in the mill. The grist is made up of three fractions: husk (20%), flour (10%) and grits (70%).
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Kilning & the Scotch Whisky Production Process
Kilning refers to the method of drying germinated barley using hot air. It is the third and final stage of the malting process (steeping, germination, kilning) and is a crucial step in the Scotch whisky production process.
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Oct 24, 2023
Different whisky warehousing systems
Once a cask is filled with new make spirit, it must be matured for a minimum of three years before it can be called Scotch whisky. Here are three types of warehousing systems used in Scotland.
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