production
Reflux
No legal definition
Condensation of heavier vapour inside the still or lyne arm and its return to the pot for redistillation. More reflux gives lighter, cleaner, more floral spirit; less gives heavier, oilier, more sulphury spirit.
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.
Worth knowing
Engineered by still size and shape, boil ball or lamp glass, neck height, lyne arm angle, purifiers, and how hard and how full the still is run — not by the still material alone.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms