A Directory Of Whisky Abbreviations and Jargon

Recently in the Malt Maniacs Facebook Group someone made a very valid complaint that whisky geeks often use abbreviations that may not always be understandable for less experienced whisky lovers. Here is a – most probably non-comprehensive – list that also includes a few slang terms for whisky distilleries or brands. Suggestions for additions are always welcome.

ABV – Alcohol by Volume

Bunna – Bunnahabhain

CF – Chill-Filtered

CI – Caol Ila

Corry – Ardbeg Corryvreckan

CS – Cask Strength

DE – Classic Malts Distillers’ Edition

DL – Douglas Laing

DT – Duncan Taylor

E150a – Spirit Caramel colouring

Farclas – Glenfarclas

Fiddich – Glenfiddich

FWP – French Whore Perfume (infamous soapy floral notes found in some 1980s Bowmores)

G&M – Gordon & MacPhail

GG – Glen Grant

Glenmo – Glenmorangie

Glen Mordor – Roseisle

HP – Highland Park

IB – Independent Bottling or Bottler

IWSC – International Wine and Spirits Comptition

JB – Jim Beam

JD – Jack Daniel’s

JW – Johnnie Walker (JWR – Red Label, JWB – Black Label)

Laddie – Bruichladdich

Laga – Lagavulin

LCBO – Liquor Control Board of Ontario

LMDW – La Maison Du Whisky

LVMH – Louis Vuitton Moët Hennesy

Mac – Macallan

MM – Malt Maniacs

MMA – Malt Maniacs Awards

MMcD – Murray McDavid

MoM – Master of Malt

MoS – Malts of Scotland

NAS – No Age Statement

NCF – Non-Chill-Filtered

OB – Original Bottling

OMC – (Douglas Laing) Old Malt Cask

Oogie – Ardbeg Uigeadail

PC – Port Charlotte

PE – Port Ellen

PX – Pedro Ximenez sherry

QC – Quarter Cask

RMW – Royal Mile Whiskies

SB – Springbank

SM – Saint Magdalene

SMWS – Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Springer – Springbank

SW – Stitzel-Weller

SWA – Scotch Whisky Association

Tally – Talisker

TTB – Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (USA)

TWE – The Whisky Exchange

W&M – Whyte & Mackay

WWA – World Whisky Awards

yo or y – years old