Distillation is the process of concentrating this alcohol. Because ethanol boils at a lower temperature (approximately 78.3°C or 173°F) than water, distillers can capture the alcohol vapors while leaving much of the water behind.
The spirit is aged in wooden casks, where it gains its amber color and complex flavors from the wood. Common Whiskey Terms Dram: A traditional term for a small pour of whisky. alcohol in whisky
At high concentrations (such as Cask Strength), this prickle can actually inhibit the drinker's ability to taste subtle notes. The alcohol acts as an anesthetic on the nose, numbing the olfactory senses if inhaled too aggressively. This is why many enthusiasts add water to their whisky. Distillation is the process of concentrating this alcohol