What Is Scotch Whisky?

It is a drink which is distilled in Scotland from barley, water and yeast. It must be produced in Scotland, matured in oak cask for at the very least 3 years. It’s offered as “blended” or “single malt”.

What does the time period “single malt” imply?

Single malt has to have been produced at just one distillery. The phrase ‘malt’ comes from the truth that the barley has been ‘malted’. It is a course of whereby the grains are made to sprout after which dried over peat fires. It should even be distilled in a pot nonetheless.

What does the time period “blended” imply?

Blended whisky is a mix of whiskies from completely different distilleries. It may embody single malt whiskies and likewise grain whisky. The age on a bottle will decide the age of the youngest Whisky.

What does the time period “blended malt” imply?

Whisky that’s offered as ‘blended malt’ will include solely malt whiskies which have been blended to acquire a novel style. These will cannot single malts they usually don’t have any grain whisky added.

What’s “grain whisky”?

That is produced from grains like un-malted barley, corn or wheat. A lot of the grain whisky manufacturing in Scotland is to be used within the blended varieties. It’s potential to purchase single grain whisky. This may include whisky from one distillery with out it being blended with different whiskies.

When was mixing launched?

Mixing was began across the 1860’s in Edinburgh. It was usually felt that whisky was too sturdy a flavour to be loved for on a regular basis ingesting. So by mixing whisky it was potential to have milder flavours. Additionally the standard at the moment of whiskies from distilleries was questionable and by mixing whiskies it was potential to provide whiskies that had been extra fixed in high quality.

Which spelling is right – whisky or whiskey?

Usually dictionaries will present each spellings. If they’re from Scotland, Canada and Japan then the phrase is written with out the ‘e’. If they’re from Eire and USA then the ‘e’ is utilized in spelling.

Can Scotch whisky solely be made in Scotland?

Sure. Whisky which is offered as ‘Scotch whisky’ should have been wholly produced and matured in Scotland.

What are the regional areas for whisky manufacturing in Scotland?

Scotland has six whisky producing areas – Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islands, Islay, and Campbeltown. Every area could have it is personal distinctive traits and by tasting a single malt an knowledgeable ought to have the ability to inform which area of Scotland the drink is from.

What are the traits of every area?

Highland – not so peaty in flavour with hints of sea air.

Speyside – mild peaty flavours and a sweetness to the style.

Islay – Robust, typically pungent peaty flavours.

Lowlands – dry and gentle style. Not very peaty.

Islands – due to the geographical distinction it is troublesome to classify these whiskies.

Campbeltown – dry and pungent with peaty overtones.

Scott Gibson is an knowledgeable on single malt whisky and has first hand information of the processes within the manufacturing and advertising of whisky in Scotland