The basic category
Regulation (EU) 2019/787 defines whisky or whiskey by cereal-based fermentation and distillation, including distillation below 94.8 percent alcohol by volume, followed by at least three years' maturation in wooden casks not exceeding 700 litres. The product must be at least 40 percent alcohol by volume.
What cannot be added
The EU category rules do not allow added alcohol, flavourings or sweetening, with plain caramel permitted only for colour adjustment. A regional or craft story does not override those requirements. Certain geographical names may additionally have their own protected product specifications.
Why this matters globally
An international atlas must distinguish the rule applicable to a particular product and jurisdiction from a producer's marketing account. Identical words can carry different legal requirements in different markets, so clear scope and source dates matter.
Further reading
Original WHISKAVIA introduction; not a producer dossier or live travel listing.