Not a member? - Register and login now.

Whisky Glossary : Ageing

Whisky Glossary and Definitions

Unlike wine, for example, whisky is not really about mystification, but it does bring its own jargon. Any unusual terms you are likely to come across are described and defined in this section.

 
 

Issue 103 Out Now

Whisky Magazine Issue 103

World Whiskies Awards edition 2012

 

Ageing

Whisk(e)y ages in oak casks; once it is bottled no further Ageing takes place.

See also : Age


While oak ageing is an historic tradition, wood management is a far more recent discipline. The benefits of oak ageing have long been appreciated, rather than understood, but it's only since the 1970s...

August 2002, Issue 25, page 59

100 Greatest Distilleries to Visit
Our team of writers around the world give you the distilleries you should visit.

December 2011, Issue 100, page 30

100 Greatest Whisky People
We highlight the people who have left a lasting legacy on the whisky world over the years.

December 2011, Issue 100, page 16

A brave new world
Using his knowledge and passion for wine,whisky maker John Hall is creating one of the most iconic Canadian brands, Rob Allanson went to find out why.

November 2007, Issue 67, page 45

A dream of a distillery (Arran)
Our Mystery Visitor travels to Arran

November 2003, Issue 35, page 42

A new relationship
Beer guru Roger Protz looks at some oak aged beers on the market

December 2010, Issue 92, page 58

A rare breed (Wild Turkey)
Wild Turkey is an old-fashioned American spirit, full of character, with an ability to seduce all-comers. Stuart Maclean-Ramsay pays his respects.

April 2000, Issue 9, page 38

A trace of greatness
Stuart Maclean Ramsay roams among the magnificent buffalo of Kentucky.

September 2000, Issue 11, page 22

A world all of its own
Whisky Live Tokyo has just taken place.Dave Broom tries to make sense of it all

March 2006, Issue 54, page 12

An alternative whisky map of the world...
Tom Bruce-Gardyne takes an irreverent look at the world's 15 largest whisky markets - plus the characters and caricatures you might find in each country. The world of whisky is full of exaggerated per...

July 2002, Issue 24, page 24

Are regional labels a dodgy area?
How important is regionalism to the character of whisky, and can broad generalisations be made? Ian Wisniewski considers

November 2004, Issue 44, page 56

As easy as A,B,C
New to whisky? Then this new series goes back to basics. Dominic Roskrow explains

October 2006, Issue 59, page 74

Ask the expert
John Rose answers another selection of readers' letters

April 2006, Issue 55, page 54

Back in the USSR
In the second part of his feature on Russian whisky, Erkin Touzmohamedov looks at the period from Kruschev to the modern day

February 2004, Issue 37, page 54

Bile with Style
Jefferson Chase on a sharp-penned Canadian who both writes and drinks whisky – Mordecai Richler

March 2003, Issue 29, page 47

Blogging it
Richard Jones surfs the ‘net to find some of the more interesting sites of whisky comment and debate

June 2007, Issue 64, page 30

Bottle ageing...so where's the science?
In Issue 27, Martin Isark argued that whisky aged in the bottle. His views have provoked a storm of opposition. Here Peter Wood makes the case against Isark's theory

March 2003, Issue 29, page 82

Bottling it up
Martin Isark uncovers the conspiract: whisky does in fact evolve in the bottle, not just the barrel

November 2002, Issue 27, page 38

Bourbon uncovered
Gary Regan & Mardee Haidin Regan guide us through the process of whiskey-making American-style

October 1999, Issue 6, page 54

Bringing bourbon back home
Four Roses is in its ascendancy, Marcin Miller finds out why and Dave Broom looks at the technical side that sets this brand apart

January 2011, Issue 93, page 40

Bruichladdich bonanza
Ian Buxton gets his taste buds tickled with the latest releases

October 2006, Issue 59, page 59

Coming of age
Whiskies, like people, mature at different rates. Andrew Jefford (himself in his prime) wonders why

May 1999, Issue 3, page 47

Cool and collected
Ian Wisniewski explores the mysteries of the ageing warehouse and looks at how different types affect the eventual taste of your whisky

December 2003, Issue 36, page 64

Dreamers in the grain
Health guru Galina Imrie looks at the health benefits of whisky and drinking.

December 2007, Issue 68, page 48

Drink less but better
Ian Buxton delves into the world of premium aged blends

November 2007, Issue 67, page 16

Expansion demands
Charles K.Cowdery looks at what the US distilling community is doing to meet the growing demand for their products

June 2008, Issue 72, page 46

French flair
Ted Bruning visits the distilleries making waves in Brittany.

February 2008, Issue 70, page 52

From the Editor
As has been mentioned before in the pages of Whisky Magazine, the appreciation of whisky is a convivial pursuit. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than on adventures such as the Classic Malts Cruise...

November 2001, Issue 19, page 5

Gentleman's relish
Lynn Seldon charts the history and success of a bourbon made beyond Kentucky: Virginia Gentleman

July 2003, Issue 32, page 32

Give me strength
Ian Wisniewski looks at the effects of different filling and bottling strengths

April 2004, Issue 38, page 64

Golden promise
Ian Wisniewski looks into that vital ingredient in whisky production so often overlooked-barley

November 2002, Issue 27, page 48

Gone to pot
With Dave taking a break for this issue, we asked the BBC's Tom Morton to step up to the plate. He brings us the tale Lomond, Lobotomies and Captain Haddock.

January 2010, Issue 85, page 12

Grossly misunderstood (Aberfeldy)
Ian Buxton goes among old friends and visits Aberfeldy

September 2005, Issue 50, page 34

Haydock hits out
Some say ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going'. So John Haydock stays right where he is

June 2002, Issue 23, page 82

Heart of Oak
Chris Bunting visits Japan's most maritime distillery.

February 2010, Issue 86, page 46

 

More...

Whisky Magazine - Editors Choice - Winner

Auchentoshan 1966, 31 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.80%
8 A fine whisky, but does something as fresh and soft benefit from quite so much ageing?

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

The Glenlivet 1967 Vintage
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.32%
8 Lots of flavour development. I enjoyed this one.

Glenfiddich 1967, Vintage Reserve
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
8 On the light side among older Glenfiddichs, but delicate and appetising.

Whisky Magazine - Recommended - Winner

Yamazaki 1980 Japanese White Oak Cask
Single Malt - Japan - 58.00%
7 The most herbal and spicy of these three bottlings, and the most distinctive.

Blair Athol 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 The obvious sherry ageing really suits Blair Athol. It is a malt that matures quickly, and this is very sophisticated for its age. A lovely whisky.

Signatory Dallas Dhu 1978
Single Malt - Scotland - 59.70%
7 More woody and astringent than earlier bottlings at similar ages.

Duncan Taylor Invergordon 1965 38 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 50.10%
7 Such a long ageing has made the bourbon wood very dominating. The crisp, cleansing, hint of pine in the distillery bottling better suited a single grain.

Proof Whisky
Blended - Canada - 42.00%
6 I remain baffled, but will be using the remnants of the sample to make a cocktail.

 

More...

Whisky gift and present finder