In a fixed-volume blend, component proportions are dependent variables whose nonnegative fractions must sum to one, so increasing one component necessarily reduces one or more others.
Total volume, proof, rest time, service, and other process variables can still vary separately; they should be modeled or controlled as process factors rather than hidden inside the proportions.
This sum constraint makes whiskey formula search a mixture-design problem. It prevents the blender from interpreting a proportion change as though all other inputs remained independently fixed.
Synthesized from NIST/SEMATECH mixture-design guidance and bounded to a staged consumer-whiskey pilot.
A Zettel is one durable idea in your own words—not a quotation, source summary, or draft-book claim.
Atomic idea
State one complete idea. It should be understandable on its own and specific enough to connect to other notes.
Reasoning
Explain why the idea is true or useful in Rationale and Implications. Record meaningful objections or exceptions in Counterpoints.
Provenance
Connect one or more Literature Notes. Direct source relations are legacy-only; trace evidence through the literature-note and excerpt chain.
Connections
Apply approved Tags for retrieval and one or more Themes only when the note genuinely advances those interpretive threads.