How to read a whiskey label

Proof, age, mash, and who actually distilled it — in that order.

Proof tells you strength. Age statements tell you the youngest whiskey in the bottle, not a personality. “Straight” and “bottled-in-bond” are legal words with meaning; “small batch” usually is not. If the label names a distillery, that is useful. If it only names a brand, you may still like the juice — you just know less about the plant. Mashbill language (wheated, high rye) is a hint, not a guarantee. You do not need a notebook. Remember one number and one word: proof, and whether it tasted sweet, spicy, or oaky. That is enough to ask for the next bottle.