Whisky Names Explained: Why Poli’s New Whisky Is Called ‘Conclave’

With some whiskies, one glance at the label tells you exactly where the name comes from. Others carry a story that runs a little deeper. And sometimes… a whisky wanders into a world of incense, red velvet, and a hint of Vatican mystique. Meet Conclave, the second whisky from Poli Distillerie in Veneto.

Conclave comes from the Latin con clavis, literally “with the key.” It refers to the sealed chamber where cardinals gather to choose a new pope. They’re locked in until white smoke appears.

That very image of silence, seclusion, and patience inspired the Poli family. Their whisky slumbers for years in casks that, much like a papal meeting room, remain, quite literally and figuratively, under lock and key.

So the name isn’t just religious poetry; it’s a direct nod to the aging process.

Poli Distillerie is a Venetian distilling family that has worked with artisanal copper stills since 1898. Their first whisky, Segretario di Stato, arrived only in 201. It was a tribute to a local resident who was appointed Secretary of State of the Vatican. That whisky was unmistakably Italian, matured in Amarone casks.

Conclave, by contrast, takes a more international route. No Amarone this time, but a style that clearly leans toward Scottish tradition. The idea: craft a whisky that even purists can appreciate.

Conclave is made from two types of malted barley: a peated and an unpeated variety. Both are distilled separately in small batches using a special bain-marie still that Poli customized to preserve as much of the malt’s aroma as possible.

It then matured for five years in medium-toasted white oak casks. The water used comes from the Monte Grappa aquifer, an area recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.

After maturation, the individual barriques were married into a single whisky. It’s bottled at 46% ABV.

Wondering about the flavor of this new expression? Conclave offers aromas of roasted nuts, dark chocolate, coffee beans, cinnamon, and smoky spices. On the palate, expect subtle notes of peat, sea salt, licorice, and vanilla. The finish carries a lingering peatiness.

The whisky has already taken silver at the International Spirits Challenge 2025.

The white smoke may still be missing, but it’s clear that Conclave marks a new chapter for Poli Distillerie.

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