How would you explain to someone who knows nothing about whiskey in simple terms what “full proof” means?

[On_cloud_wine]

And why is it important?

[seeyounexttuesday]

Sure. "Proof" is the term that correlates to the % of alcohol in a particular spirit. Its 2x the % of alcohol. So 90 proof would be 45% alcohol.

Whiskeys are put into a barrel for aging at a higher proof than what ends up in the bottle usually. While aging, the proof of the whiskey can change.

Full Proof whiskeys would be those whose ending proof is the same as the proof when the whiskey went into the barrel.

Most whiskeys are bottled at a lower proof than when they entered the barrel to make them smoother and more palatable.

[On_cloud_wine]

So isn’t every whiskey full proof then? If not, what singles it out over others tgat aren’t “full proof” I’m still confused

[seeyounexttuesday]

Not all whiskeys are full proof.

So to get whiskey you ferment grains in water. Usually this about 5% alcohol at this point.

Distilling is when you heat the resulting fermented liquid to boil the alcohol (which has a different boiling temperature than water). It turns to steam and then is condensed.

This liquid is almost pure alcohol. It's diluted at this point and put into oak barrels at a certain proof - let's say 130 proof (65% alcohol).

That whiskey ages for several years, and during that time the proof can change due to evaporation.

So the at the end of aging, the whiskey may be 140 proof. Full Proof would be getting it back to the proof it was when it entered the barrel. Barrel Proof would be the proof it is when it leaves the bottle.

Barrels may have different end proofs within a batch. So you want consistency as a seller of whiskey.

For most cocktails and drinking straight, 140 proof could be too harsh for some people. 80-100 proof is more common. So the distillers will cut the whiskey with water to lower the proof.

[seeyounexttuesday]

Barrel Proof is when the whiskey leaves the barrel. Sorry for the typo.

[Still-alive]

Full proof: the proof that it (whiskey) was when it initially entered the barrel

by the way that asshat attempting to correct your grammar is wrong. the word can be spelled in both ways: Whisky or Whiskey.

[purplepoppy]

First, whisky is Scottish while whiskey is Irish. Other countries will use either one. So its USA whiskey or Japanese whisky. Don't lose sleep over it.

In America 100 proof means 50% alcohol
In the UK its around 57%. The definition of proof varies from country to country and is to do with tax. It's better to go by percentage to avoid confusion otherwise assume 45%

[Tamera952]

I’d say full proof would be ‘stronger’ in the sense that it’s not watered down at all, like most whiskey is before bottling. I’d say it packs a bigger mouth punch, and also tell them it’s more like ‘jet fuel’ than your average proof whiskey.

[Ariesman81]

There is no "e" in whisky... start with that.

[On_cloud_wine]

101 lesson learned… now please educate me on “full proof” vs what isn’t “full proof”

[Ariesman81]

No. It's not something you need to be concerned with.

[seeyounexttuesday]

There absolutely is.

[Ariesman81]

@seeyounexttuesday

Well, everyone has their own taste

[seeyounexttuesday]

Just making the point. I prefer bourbon anyway.

[jamesgoldman]

I've drunk plenty of both whisky & whiskey but I can't explain it