angel's share

noun

Phrases

the angel's share

: the amount of an alcoholic drink (such as cognac, brandy, or whiskey) that is lost to evaporation when the liquid is being aged in porous oak barrels

Up to 1 percent of the volume of the cask can be lost each year through evaporation, sometimes called the angel's share.

—James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 30 Apr. 1992

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!