Angel’s share - The part of alcohol that evaporates from the wooden cask during the maturation process. The whiskey loses about 2% Vol. in alcohol each year.

Backset - A liquid mash obtained from a previous distillation that gets added to a new batch to insure consistency of flavor. Adding backset is where the term "sour mash" originates.

Barrel proof - Whiskey bottled at the desired proof while aging in the barrel. No, or very little, water is added before bottling, so these bourbons are higher proof than others.

Blended - Whiskey that has had neutral spirits, color additives or flavor additives mixed into it.

Body - The general impression and flavor of how a whiskey tastes.

Bonded or bottled in bond - Whiskey that was simply "bonded" by the government while it was aging and not taxed until it was matured and bottled.

Bourbon - Whiskey that by law must contain at least 51 percent corn as the fermented grain and be distilled at no higher than 160 proof. It must be aged in unused, charred white oak barrels for at least 2 years.

Cask – A wooden barrel into which whiskey is stored in order to mature.

Cask strength - Whiskey is reduced to approximately 40% to 43% Vol. alcohol before it is bottled. A whiskey of cask strength is bottled as it is taken from the cask. According to its age and the evaporation that took place during maturation it may have 60% to 45% Vol. alcohol.

Coffey still - Also called a patent still and allows continuous distillation. It is used to produce grain whiskey and industrial alcohol.

Draff - Spent solids of grain left over from the brewing process. After being removed from the mash tun these "wastes" are normally sold as feed for livestock.

Feints - Term applied to the impure spirit produced from the end of the second distillation.

Fermentation - Active period during the brewing process when yeast reacts with the sugar-rich wort creating alcohol.

Fillings - The term applied to "new" whiskey that has been filled into casks prior to being matured.

Finish - the flavors and sensations that linger in the mouth and throat after swallowing whiskey. (long, spicy, warm)

Foreshots - Term applied to the oily spirit produced
at the start of each "run" from the stills.

Highproof – Same as cask strength.