Master the art and science of spirits with our comprehensive Whisky Education hub. Whether you are a curious beginner or an aspiring connoisseur, this section of The Whisky School breaks down complex distilling fundamentals into digestible guides. Explore the technical intricacies of the Lincoln County Process, understand the legal definitions that separate Scotch from Bourbon, and discover how water, yeast, and wood chemistry shape every drop. From grain to glass, we provide the expert knowledge you need to speak the language of whisky with confidence.
Join us on the Quayside for an unforgettable Newcastle whiskey tasting experience with views of the Tyne.
Whiskey Tasting in Newcastle: The Toon's Top Spots (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 93 Newcastle upon Tyne is famous for its nightlife, its bridges, and its football. But recently, it has become a hidden…
Ancient Fuel: Islay peat history is rooted in the manual harvesting of the land to create Scotland's most iconic smoky malts.
The Peat Bogs of Islay: 10,000 Years of Flavor (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 77 The smell of Islay whisky is unmistakable. It smells of iodine, sea spray, tar, and bonfire ash. To a…
Reaching New Heights: These copper stills for whisky at Glenmorangie are the tallest in Scotland, designed to create a light, floral spirit.
Copper Contact: Why Tall Stills Make Light Spirit (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 74 When you walk into a distillery, the first thing that takes your breath away is the sight of the gleaming…
Mapping the Flavour: The Speyside vs Highlands whisky debate often comes down to a choice between elegant fruitiness and robust highland character.
Speyside vs Highlands Whisky: The Friendly Rivalry (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 70 The debate of Speyside vs Highlands Whisky is the most common source of confusion in the world of Scotch. If you…
Defined by Law: For a spirit to be labelled as "Straight Whiskey," it must meet rigorous federal standards for aging and additives.
What Does "Straight" Mean on a Whiskey Label? (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 69 When a beginner asks "what is Straight Whiskey?", they usually think it refers to how you drink it. They assume…
The Breathing Bottle: Whisky oxidation begins the moment a bottle is opened, slowly changing its flavour profile over time.
Whisky Oxidation: How Long Does an Open Bottle Last? (Deep Dive 2026) Sip & Learn: Volume 68 There is a moment of panic that every collector faces. You buy a rare, expensive bottle. You open…
Fruit vs. Grain: Comparing cognac vs whisky highlights the difference between distilled grapes and cereal grains.
Cognac vs Whisky: A Guide for Brandy Lovers (2026) Sip & Learn: Volume 63 The debate of Cognac vs Whisky is the battle of the titans of the after-dinner drink world. They are both dark,…
The Breathing Floor: Traditional floor malting whisky involves spreading wet barley on stone to germinate for 5–7 days.
Floor Malting: Why Traditional Methods Cost More (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 62 In the modern world of industrial automation, Floor Malting Whisky is an anachronism. It is slow. It is back-breakingly hard work.…
The Copper Catalyst: Tall stills like these at Glenmorangie maximise copper contact to strip away unwanted sulfur in whisky.
Sulfur in Whisky: The Good, The Bad, and The Meaty (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 61 Finding a note of Sulfur in Whisky is usually a shock for a beginner. You are expecting vanilla,…
Protecting the Pour: A detailed ledger is the first step in securing comprehensive whisky collection insurance.
Whisky Collection Insurance: Do You Need It for Your Whisky? (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 58 Imagine this scenario: You have spent five years building your dream whisky library. You have limited edition Macallans,…
The 80% Rule: Mellow Corn is a "cult classic" that perfectly illustrates the technical differences between corn whiskey vs bourbon.
Corn Whiskey vs Bourbon: The 80% Rule Explained (2026) Sip & Learn: Volume 57 In the American whiskey world, there is a "Lost Category" that sits in the shadows of Bourbon. It is often hidden…
The Heart of the Lowlands: Lowland Scotch whisky is traditionally known for a lighter, more floral character due to its unique distillation process.
The Lowlands: Why Triple Distillation Matters (2026 Guide) Sip & Learn: Volume 56 When people think of Scotch, they usually think of two extremes: the heavy smoke of Islay or the rich fruit of Speyside.…