The Outcomes
Body
Body is the spirit's physical weight in the mouth — how substantial it feels, independent of flavour or aroma. Distillation method, proof and maturation all push this scale in different directions.
Light
Full
I
Light
Thin, quick and easy across the palate — nothing lingers or coats.
II
Medium-Light
A little more presence, still moving quickly across the tongue.
III
Medium
A noticeable, comfortable weight — neither thin nor heavy.
IV
Medium-Full
Real substance in the mouth, holding its shape as it moves.
V
Full
Dense and coating, filling the whole palate and staying there.
Column distillation and higher dilution tend to build lighter bodies; pot distillation, lower dilution and longer maturation tend to build fuller ones.