Whisky Fundamentals
What is single cask whisky?
Published 13/07/2025
A Single cask, or single barrel whisky, is any whisky produced from aging in a single barrel without blending. Confusingly the name single cask whisky is also given to whiskies that mature over several barrels sequentially. Which is to say what a whisky may be aged in and seasoned by several casks and still be called a single cask, so long as it is not the result of mixing the content of different casks together.
What is single cask whisky?
Whisky and Food Pairing: A Match Made in Heaven
Published 15/09/2023
Whisky, a beverage rich in nuances and flavors, offers a wide array of pairing possibilities with various foods, transforming ordinary meals into gourmet experiences. Whether you are a whisky aficionado or a newcomer eager to explore, this guide will help you navigate the delightful world of whisky and food pairings. The most important thing to consider before you get started is how each course must balance but also fall on to each subsequent dram.
Whisky and Food Pairing: A Match Made in Heaven
Phenols
Published 14/09/2023
What are phenols? Phenols are chemical compounds that are of great importance for flavoring and flavor enhancement in the whisky industry, more commonly known as peat. Phenols are given on a technical scale in parts per million (PPM). This is a millionth unit that is also used in technical devices such as smoke extraction systems to check the air quality. These substances are important flavor carriers in the whisky industry, in particular distilleries from the Island of Islay and the Scottish Highlands known for their intense smoke note.
Phenols
The role of water in whisky
Published 14/09/2023
Water plays several important roles in the production of whisky. Firstly, water is used to clean and prepare the grains used to make the whisky. Second, it is mixed with the mashed grains to extract the sugars that will be fermented to create alcohol. Finally, water is used to reduce the alcohol content of the whisky to its desired strength. Additionally, water can help to bring out the flavours and aromas of the whisky when it is diluted before drinking.
The role of water in whisky
The types of wood used in the whisky inudustry
Published 12/09/2023
The art of whisky production leverages a rich variety of wood types and cask histories to craft spirits with unique and complex flavor profiles. While oak remains a staple in the industry, distillers around the world are increasingly experimenting with alternative woods such as chestnut, maple, acacia, mizunara and cherry to infuse their whiskies with distinctive notes and aromas. In general these are used for finishing spirit already matured in oak casks, but full maturation examples of the same do exist more commonly coming from independant bottlers.
The types of wood used in the whisky inudustry