Angel’s share: the percentage of liquid that evaporates from whiskey barrels each year Beer: whiskey is made from beer, which is an alcoholic beverage made from yeast-fermented malt and flavored with hops Cask strength: whiskey bottled at the proof at which it comes out of the barrel, so it’s higher proof and more concentrated Cooperage: the oak barrel that whiskey is aged in Distillation: the process of heating liquid until the alcohol evaporates and condenses, turning the liquid into a spirit Dram: a shot of whiskey for sipping; traditional Scottish name for a glass of whiskey Expression: different types of whiskey from the same brand Master blender: the person at the distillery who is in charge of blending whiskeys to make a superior whiskey Maturation: the time it takes for the whiskey to soak up flavor from the oak barrels used in the whiskey-making process Nosing: smelling a whiskey to determine its flavor profile Palate: when you drink the whiskey to determine its flavor profile (happens after nosing) Scotch: whiskey that was made and distilled in Scotland Small batch: like it sounds, when whiskey is produced on a smaller scale than usual