Scotch whisky

Words by Simon Difford

Scotch whisky image 1

In accordance with the Scotch Whisky Act of 1988, for a whisky to be termed a ‘Scotch whisky’ it must be distilled in Scotland from fermented cereal grains, yeast and water. Maturation must also be in Scotland for minimum of three years in oak casks no larger than 700 litres.

In addition to the above, to be termed a Scotch whisky:

1. Cereal grain must be the only source of starch.
2. Enzymes must be natural enzymes from malted barley (it is not permitted for enzymes to be added).
3. No additives are permitted other than water and spirit caramel for colour correction.

Scotch whisky is the only type of whisk(e)y that can be made in Scotland. I.e. Any product made in Scotland and sold as whisk(e)y must confirm to the above.

Until the 1830s almost all Scottish whisky was made exclusively from malted barley and produced in pot stills - i.e., it was what we would today call 'malt whisky'. However, two developments brought about 'Scottish grain whisky' and 'Scotch blended whisky'. The first was the development of a new type of still, known variously as the column still, patent still, continuous still or Coffey still; the second was the repeal of the British Corn Laws.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky...

How Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made...

Scotch Whisky Regions ...

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Dewar's 12 Year Old Scotch whisky image

Dewar's 12 Year Old Scotch whisky

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

The Bailie Nicol Jarvie (BNJ) image

The Bailie Nicol Jarvie (BNJ)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Cutty Sark Tam o'Shanter image

Cutty Sark Tam o'Shanter

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.5

Compass Box The Entertainer image

Compass Box The Entertainer

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.9

Compass Box Delilah's image

Compass Box Delilah's

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Hankey Bannister 40yo image

Hankey Bannister 40yo

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 44.3

Compass Box The General image

Compass Box The General

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 53.4

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014 image

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.8

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition image

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.8

Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Old image

Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

Johnnie Walker Red Label image

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Blue Label image

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Black Label image

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Double Black image

Johnnie Walker Double Black

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Chivas Regal 25 Year Old image

Chivas Regal 25 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

J&B Rare image

J&B Rare

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Compass Box Asyla image

Compass Box Asyla

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2016 image

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2016

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

The Antiquary 21 Year Old image

The Antiquary 21 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

Black & White image

Black & White

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Buchanan's De Luxe 12 Year Old image

Buchanan's De Luxe 12 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker The Gold Route image

Johnnie Walker The Gold Route

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

William Grant’s 25 Year Old image

William Grant’s 25 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker The Royal Route image

Johnnie Walker The Royal Route

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

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