WHAT IS A DRAM OF WHISKY?

What exactly is a dram of whisky?

Is it a nip of whisky, a pour, a shot, a toot – no, it’s a wee dram! We’ve all heard of the term ‘dram’ but what exactly is a dram of whisky? Is it an official measure and how much should be poured?

A dram of whisky refers to a unit of measurement commonly used to pour and serve whisky.

The official Oxford dictionary definition for dram is a small amount of alcoholic drink, especially whisky.

Where did the word 'dram' originate?

The word ‘dram’ has its origins in Ancient Greece and comes from the word ‘drachme’ which was a unit of currency used in the city states.

Making its way into the Germanic languages and then into Old English it began to be referred to as a unit of weight which was 1/8 of a fluid ounce (less than a teaspoon) and was used in the apothecaries’ system.

In terms of whisky, the term ‘dram’ is believed to have been developed Scotland and has been used for centuries to refer to a small serving of whisky that could be ‘swallowed in one mouthful’.

Is it a legal measurement?

Technically, no.

In the UK, if you ask a bartender for a dram of whisky, they will typically pour you a measurement of 25ml (small) or 35ml (large) which are the standard legal measures for spirits in the UK set by the National Measurement and Regulation Office.

However, at a whisky tasting event or at a Scotch Whisky distillery tour the pour can be as small as 10ml.

So, a dram isn’t a definite measure and has practically no modern-day significance but just depends on the generosity of the pourer and will vary depending on whether you’re drinking at home, at a whisky tasting event or out at a restaurant or pub.

At home whether you use a jigger to measure first or just ‘eyeball it’, a dram of whisky is whatever you want it to be.

#whisky #scotch