Term

Explanation

ABV

Alcohol by volume, usually expressed in percentages.

Angel's share

Alcohol that naturally evaporates while whisky is maturing in a cask. Usually around 2% per annum.

AWRS

Alcohol wholesaler registration scheme.

AYS Date

Age of youngest spirit date, indicates when the cask was first filled with liquid.

Bonded warehouse

A secured warehouse approved by HMRC for storing goods without paying taxes or duty until they leave the warehouse.

HMRC

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs; the UK government department responsible for tax collection, including whisky excise taxes.

LOA

Liters of alcohol, indicates how many are in a cask.

LOA Type - OLA

Liters of alcohol type - Original liters of alcohol. The amount of alcohol that was present when the cask was first filled.

LOA Type - RLA

Liters of alcohol type - Regauged liters of alcohol. Amount of alcohol after the cask was regauged to see how much alcohol had evaporated.

New make spirit

Unaged spirit straight from the still. Becomes scotch whisky after aging in a cask for 3 years.

Peated whisky

Whisky that has been distilled from malted barley and has been dried over a peat fire. Peat is a natural material forged over thousands of years in waterlogged environments.

RLA Date

Date when a cask was regauged.

WOWGR

Warehousekeepers and Owners of Warehoused Goods Regulations; a certification required for storing goods in a bonded warehouse.