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Whisky Glossary : Steep

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

 

Steep

Vessel in which barley is steeped in cold water to begin germination.

A drop of the soft stuff
Ian Wisniewski assesses the effect of the water used in whisky production and as mixer on the drink we love

October 2002, Issue 26, page 52

A road less travelled
Gavin D. Smith follows the Northern Highland Whisky Trail

July 2011, Issue 97, page 34

A single malt for the purists (Balvenie)
Once just William Grant's ‘other' Dufftown distillery, Balvenie is starting to build a big reputation for itself. Ian Buxton went to pay homage

February 2004, Issue 37, page 42

A view to a kiln
Kilning might seem to be a standard practice,but it has a large bearing on the whisky-making process. Ian Wisniewski reports

June 2006, Issue 56, page 62

All at sea (Lagavulin)
The Mystery Visitor travels to Islay and puts Lagavulin under the spotlight

July 2005, Issue 49, page 42

Arran adventure
Dave Broom is writing a book on distillery-related walks. Here he confronts Goat Fell

August 2006, Issue 58, page 54

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
Now you can find both of John Rose's superb articles about collecting whisky in one place. In collections,John looks at books for collectors and the whisky enthusiast. In questions,he fields your enqu...

January 2008, Issue 69, page 34

At the helm
Whisky and sailing goes well together,as Rob Allanson found out when he took to the high seas with the Bunnahabhain crew

September 2007, Issue 66, page 59

Captain's log
'Win a week's sailing in the Classic Malts Millennium Cruise,' writes Philip Froude, 'too good a chance to let pass by I think and, blow me down, I win!'

November 2000, Issue 12, page 41

Desperately seeking Speyside
“To set foot somewhere is a physical connection, a sense of truly being there. I wanted to feel Speyside as terra firma.” Pictures and story by a footsore Michael Jackson

July 2001, Issue 17, page 34

Dial M for malts
In our series looking at whisky terms we have reached the letter m. In the first of two features Dominic Roskrow looks at malts and malting.

November 2007, Issue 67, page 35

Dispatches
COUPLE ON KINDLE The revised and updated edition of The Road to Craigellachie - Revisited, (2012), Hans Offringa's well-known travel story about Scotland and whisky, is now available on Kindle. The...

February 2012, Issue 101, page 7

Edinburgh detective ages aswell as his whisky
Roddy Martine shares a dram with Ian Rankin as he celebrates 20 years of his most famous creation,Inspector Rebus

March 2007, Issue 62, page 54

Elusive and illicit Speyside spirit
Gavin Smith traces the reportedly romantic but often mercenary history of illicit distilling in Speyside

November 2001, Issue 19, page 56

Enduring legacy
Isabel Graham-Yooll is a key driving force behind one of the world's most iconic whisky shops. Dominic Roskrow

January 2011, Issue 93, page 35

Festive Food
Even though Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday each year, which means we do not have the luxury of a week-end immediately beforehand to prepare for it or one straight after to recover, it does not mean ...

October 1999, Issue 6, page 37

Found on the marketing department floor
American writer Terry Sullivan is the latest guest journalist to grace our pages. And he has some pretty cool industry insiders as contacts…

July 2004, Issue 41, page 74

From Akons to Oak Barrels
It might not seem the most obvious of pairings but as Charles K. Cowdery discovers, pig and whiskey is a match made in heaven.

June 2010, Issue 88, page 56

Grist to themill
Ian Wisniewski gets to grips with an often overlooked yet vitally important stage of the production process – milling

October 2006, Issue 59, page 56

Has Kentucky lost it's Mojo
Is Kentucky in danger of losing its special place in the hearts of whiskey lovers? Some say the decline has already begun. Charles K. Cowdery finds out...

January 2011, Issue 93, page 14

Heading off the trail
Charles K. Cowdery looks at 25 additions to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to help give you a bigger whiskey picture.

January 2010, Issue 85, page 14

Horses and hipflasks
The distinctly 'non-horsey' Marcin Miller dons his wellies in Pitlochry for a spot of whisky fuelled equestrianism.

December 2000, Issue 13, page 40

Horses for 'Farclas
The inaugural Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase was held at the Cheltenham race course recently. The lucky winner was Davy Russell aboard Dix Villez.

January 2009, Issue 77, page 7

Inspirational distilling
The VIP tour of Balvenie is quite arguably the best Scotland has to offer. Our man indulged himself.

January 1970, Issue 84, page 40

Is bourbon coming of age?
Is there a perfect age for American whiskey – and are different age expressions driving the market or in danger of harming it?

July 2004, Issue 41, page 24

Island life
From Orkney to Arran,Scotland's islands are home to some of Scotland's best distilleries.

November 2008, Issue 76, page 38

Kentucky ready to take visitors to its heart
Whisky Magazine will again be present at this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival, which is to be held in the heart of bourbon country in September. Bardstown, Kentucky, is the centre of the world's bo...

July 2001, Issue 17, page 13

Land of the rising sun
Dave Broom gives us his tips on places to go when in Japan.

November 2007, Issue 67, page 40

Less is Mhor
Simple recipes that let the quality ingredients shine through are at the heart of Glengoyne's food partnership with Monachyle Mhor chef Tom Lewis,as Kate Portman discovers.

September 2009, Issue 82, page 47

Lessons with the cask force (Bowmore)
Making whisky is all about rolling up your sleeves and getting down among the peat as Dave Broom found out at Bowmore distillery

October 1999, Issue 6, page 46

Life through a lens
Rob Allanson goes behind the scenes of The Macallan's latest ambitious project and gains exclusive access to the people involved.

January 2009, Issue 77, page 14

Maltster and servant
A keen collector of first-hand information on whisky, Martine Nouet had the fantastic opportunity to make a whisky-lover and -writer's dream come true: work in the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distillerie...

December 2001, Issue 20, page 32

Maltsters Inc.
Ian Wisniewski reveals the secrets behind this rather complex stage of whisky-making: malting

January 2003, Issue 28, page 48

Meet the awkward squad
The basic process of making whisky is similar throughout the world. But there are always some who have to be different. Dave Broom meets the misfits

March 2005, Issue 46, page 44

 

More...

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Maple Wood
Single Malt - U.S.A. - 47.20%
7 Deep, rich. The final recommendation from a cracking bunch.

Glen Ord
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00%
7 A well-balanced dram. Nothing lacking, nothing too much. Just pleasant.

The Famous Grouse
Blended - Scotland - 40.00%
This is a subtle and clever blend.

 

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