When talking about whiskey, there are certain terms that come to mind: full-bodied, smooth, robust. However, there is one phrase that affects every single batch of whiskey made: angel’s share. While this term may not be found on the side of a bottle, it is something that pervades the whiskey industry. But what does it mean? To understand it, we must first understand the process by which whiskey is made.

These days, pretty much all whiskeys are aged in wooden barrels. The wood absorbs some of the more unpleasant aspects of distillate (such as sulfur), and, in return, imbues the liquid…