The character or style of the blend is defined by the dominant flavours of the blend. These flavours are influenced by the places where the ingredients of the whiskies were made.

•Nose or aroma of a blend is defined by the smells that you distinguish when you inhale the vapours that rise from a glass of whisky. The smells are often complex and multi-layered.

•Nosing glass is a glass the whisky producers use to fully savour the aroma of a whisky. This glass has a wide bowl, a narrow opening and a small glass lid to contain the opening. The same result can largely be achieved using a wine glass or brandy balloon.

•Roll the whisky around a clear, clean glass and you will notice that it sticks to the side when you place the glass back upright — the striping that results are the legs of the whisky. Two things cause legs: alcoholic strength and natural viscosity. So given that samples are tested at the same strength, sticky, full bodies whiskies will have longer legs that take more time to slide back to the whisky; lighter whiskies have less prominent legs.

•Palate is the depth of the flavour. It includes the initial flavours from the first sip and flavours that develop in the mouth as the whisky is swallowed.