How can I understand the information on a whisky label?

Every bottle includes important details that help us describe it correctly in the Whiskybase database. Some labels show a lot of information, while others keep it minimal. Below you will find the most common elements on a whisky label, explained in clear and simple language.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Name of the distillery
• 2. Type of whisky
• 3. Vintage
• 4. Age statement
• 5. Distillation and bottling dates
• 6. Cask information
• 7. Bottle number and total bottles
• 8. Alcohol by volume (ABV)
• 9. Bottle size
• 10. Special mentions
• When information is missing

1. Name of the distillery

This shows where the whisky was produced. Distillery names are usually easy to spot because they are one of the main features on the label.

2. Type of whisky

This tells you the style of the whisky. Examples include Single Malt, Blended Malt, Single Grain, or Blend.
Single Malt means the whisky comes from one distillery and is made only from malted barley.

3. Vintage

The vintage is the year when the whisky was distilled. For example, a vintage of 1999 means the spirit went into the cask in 1999. Not every bottle includes a vintage year.

4. Age statement

This shows how many years the whisky matured in a cask before bottling.
For example, “16 years” means it rested in the cask for 16 years.
If no age is printed, the whisky is called NAS, which stands for no age statement.

5. Distillation and bottling dates

Some labels include exact dates such as “Distilled on 13 06 1997” and “Bottled on 01 07 2013”.
These dates help confirm the true age of the whisky.

6. Cask information

This may include the cask number and the type of cask used.
Common cask types include hogshead, butt, barrel, or sherry cask. Different casks influence the flavor and character of the whisky.

7. Bottle number and total bottles

Limited releases often show information like “Bottle 210 of 276”.
This tells you how many bottles were produced and which specific one you have.

8. Alcohol by volume (ABV)

ABV stands for Alcohol By Volume. It shows how strong the whisky is.
For example, 55.4 percent ABV means that 55.4 percent of the liquid is alcohol. Anything above 50 percent is often considered high strength.

9. Bottle size

This indicates how much whisky is inside the bottle. Common sizes include 70 cl, 75 cl, and 700 ml.

10. Special mentions

These are additional details that tell you more about how the whisky was made. Examples include:

- Cask Strength which means the whisky was bottled at the strength it came out of the cask without adding water.
- Natural Color which means no coloring was added.
- Non Chill Filtered which means the whisky was not filtered at low temperature, keeping more of its natural flavor.

When information is missing

Not all labels include every detail. Some producers use a very minimal design. If something is missing or unclear, check the packaging if available or look up the bottle in Whiskybase where the community often provides additional information.

Note: If you still need clarity, you can always ask other Whiskybase members. The community is happy to help new whisky enthusiasts learn more.