Whisky Fundamentals
Triple distillation: What are triple distilled whiskies?
Published 15/08/2025
New to the basics of making whisky? See our overview of the Whisky Production Process. If you’re comparing batch (pot) runs to columns, read our guide to Continuous distillation for how reflux and plate count “dial in” purity. What is triple distillation? In batch (pot-still) whisky-making, distillation sits between fermentation and maturation. A conventional double distillation has two main runs: Wash still: Fermented wash (~7–10% ABV) is distilled to low wines (~20–30% ABV).
Triple distillation: What are triple distilled whiskies?
Continuous distillation
Published 12/08/2025
Columns are the workhorses of modern spirits: fast, steady, and tunable. While pot stills craft character in batches, continuous distillation separates components in a steady state, giving producers precise control of purity and flavour all day, every day. New to the basics of making whisky? See our overview of the Whisky Production Process. What is continuous distillation? Continuous distillation feeds fermented wash/beer into a heated column while vapour rises and liquid flows downward.
Continuous distillation
Slàinte Mhath - Pronunciation, Definition & Meaning
Published 12/08/2025
The Scottish Gaelic language (Gàidhlig) is one of the Celtic languages. Today it’s used mainly in the Hebrides, parts of the Highlands, and pockets of Glasgow. It’s closely related to Irish (Gaeilge) and Manx (Gaelg). Along with English and Scots, Gaelic is one of the official languages of Scotland. Spend any time around Scotch whisky and you’ll hear the toast Slàinte mhath sooner or later. Short answer: Slàinte mhath means good health.
Slàinte Mhath - Pronunciation, Definition & Meaning
Pot stills in whisky
Published 12/08/2025
Pot stills are the classic, batch distillation vessels that shape many of the world’s most characterful whiskies. If column stills are about efficiency and consistency, pot stills are about selective concentration—using copper, heat, and time to gather congeners (flavour compounds) into a style. What is a pot still? A pot still is a closed copper kettle that boils a fermented wash (or beer) so alcohol-rich vapour rises, travels through a neck and arm, and is condensed back to liquid.
Pot stills in whisky
Spirit caramel (E150a) in whisky
Published 11/08/2025
Most Scotch, and many Irish whiskies, are coloured with E150a (often called spirit caramel or plain caramel). This isn’t limited to blends—plenty of single malts use it too—making caramel colour one of the most debated topics among whisky fans alongside No Age Statement releases and chill-filtration. Within the caramel-colour family (E150a–d), E150a is Class I “plain caramel”—produced by heating sugars without ammonia or sulfites. Why are whiskies coloured? Whiskies are generally coloured for 2 reasons, for normalisation between batches and for marketing reasons.
Spirit caramel (E150a) in whisky