production
New make
Unmatured spirit as collected from the spirit still and reduced for filling — typically 63.5% ABV in Scotland, and 55–62.5% ABV at barrel entry in the US.
Not a legal term
No whisky regulation in Scotland, Ireland, the United States, the EU or Japan defines this. It is a trade or marketing term, so it is only actionable if its use is actively misleading.
Often confused with white dog or moonshine
Same liquid, different market. 'New make' is the distiller's term, 'white dog' the US one, and 'moonshine' a marketing name for unaged spirit sold as such — which cannot be labelled whisky in Scotland or Ireland at all, since maturation is part of the definition.
Worth knowing
In Scotland new make cannot legally be called whisky until three years in cask, and is usually sold as 'spirit drink'. US whisky needs no minimum age, so unaged US grain spirit may lawfully be labelled 'whisky' provided it carries an age statement.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms