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Wine connoisseurs pride themselves on knowing their wines, the vintages, the grapes, the regions around the world where it is produced and more.
Scotch has many of the same characteristics. Each "nose" is different and it's my goal to help you understand those differences, helping you narrow down your choices to choose a great Dram from many of my favorites.
Scotch has many of the same characteristics. Each "nose" is different and it's my goal to help you understand those differences, helping you narrow down your choices to choose a great Dram from many of my favorites.
The original name for scotch is “Uisge Beatha” (pronounced “WISH-gee Baa”) or "Water of Life"
It is said that Scotch is the number #1 selling alcohol spirit, outselling every other noble spirit in world markets.
It is said that Scotch is the number #1 selling alcohol spirit, outselling every other noble spirit in world markets.
All Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley. Commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century.
There are two kinds of Scotch Whisky:
Malt Whisky which is made by the Pot Still process and Grain Whisky which is made by the Patent Still (or Coffey Still) process. Malt Whisky is made from malted barley only, while Grain Whisky is made from malted barley together with unmalted barley and other cereals.
A single malt is made with malted barley in pot stills at a single distillery. The goal is to achieve very distinctive flavors and nuances that exemplify a single distillery's style.
A blended scotch whisky is made by combining several single malts with wheat and/or corn whiskies in column stills.
Whisky can be called 'Scotch' only if it is distilled and matured in Scotland.
There are two kinds of Scotch Whisky:
Malt Whisky which is made by the Pot Still process and Grain Whisky which is made by the Patent Still (or Coffey Still) process. Malt Whisky is made from malted barley only, while Grain Whisky is made from malted barley together with unmalted barley and other cereals.
A single malt is made with malted barley in pot stills at a single distillery. The goal is to achieve very distinctive flavors and nuances that exemplify a single distillery's style.
A blended scotch whisky is made by combining several single malts with wheat and/or corn whiskies in column stills.
Whisky can be called 'Scotch' only if it is distilled and matured in Scotland.
single malt scotch vs. blended scotch
about single malt scotch whisky
Single malt whiskey is whiskey that has been made from barley (almost always), water and yeast.
To be a single malt scotch the whisky must have been distilled at a single distillery using a pot still distillation process and made from a mash of malted grain. In Scotland, the only grain allowed to be used in a single malt whisky is barley. As with any Scotch whisky, a single malt Scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years and one day. (Most single malts are matured longer.)
In single malt whiskey only one grain is used, therefore word single can be used to describe the malt whiskey. The barley (or other grain) is malted, which is a process of starting the barley seed to sprout by soaking it in water and then interrupting the process via heat.
Unmalted barley (think of it as whole grain or seed barley) can and is used in whiskies, but those whiskies obviously wouldn't be single malt whiskey.
To be a single malt scotch the whisky must have been distilled at a single distillery using a pot still distillation process and made from a mash of malted grain. In Scotland, the only grain allowed to be used in a single malt whisky is barley. As with any Scotch whisky, a single malt Scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years and one day. (Most single malts are matured longer.)
In single malt whiskey only one grain is used, therefore word single can be used to describe the malt whiskey. The barley (or other grain) is malted, which is a process of starting the barley seed to sprout by soaking it in water and then interrupting the process via heat.
Unmalted barley (think of it as whole grain or seed barley) can and is used in whiskies, but those whiskies obviously wouldn't be single malt whiskey.
about blended scotch whisky
A blended whiskey (or blended whisky) is the product of blending different types of whiskeys and sometimes also neutral grain spirits, coloring, and flavorings. It is generally the product of mixing one or more higher-quality straight or single malt whiskies with less expensive spirits and other ingredients. This allows for a lower priced product, though expensive "premium" varieties also exist.
Under the Scotch whisky regulations: "“Blended Malt Scotch Whisky” means a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery; “Blended Grain Scotch Whisky” means a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery; and “Blended Scotch Whisky” means a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.
The regulations also allow the addition of caramel color, regardless of whether the final product is labelled as blended or not. A mix of single malts only, without other types of whisky such as those made from grains other than malted barley, may be called a blended malt (formerly known as a vatted malt, a term no longer permitted).
Under the Scotch whisky regulations: "“Blended Malt Scotch Whisky” means a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery; “Blended Grain Scotch Whisky” means a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery; and “Blended Scotch Whisky” means a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.
The regulations also allow the addition of caramel color, regardless of whether the final product is labelled as blended or not. A mix of single malts only, without other types of whisky such as those made from grains other than malted barley, may be called a blended malt (formerly known as a vatted malt, a term no longer permitted).
how to taste/nose your scotch
this week's featured scotch whisky
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SCAPA SKIREN
Orkney Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky Scapa Skiren is a 2015 release from the Orkney distillery. Aged in first-fill American oak casks, this is creamy and sweet with notes of tropical fruit and heather |
there are 111 scotch DISTILLERIES in scotland
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