Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Words by Simon Difford

Single Malt Scotch Whisky image 1

The term ‘Single Malt Scotch’ refers to a whisky that fulfils all three elements of the term:

SINGLE – the whisky must be from only one distillery.

MALT – the raw material used must be malted barley and no other grain or fermentable material may be used.

SCOTCH – the whisky must be distilled and matured in Scotland.

In addition to the above, to be termed a single malt scotch whisky:

1. The natural enzymes within the barley must also be the only enzymes used. No enzymes are permitted to be added to aid fermentation.

2. Distillation must be in a copper pot still.

3. The distillate (known as 'new make spirit') must be aged a minimum of three years in an oak cask with a capacity no larger than 700 litres.

4. The only ingredients permitted are malted barley, water and yeast with spirit caramel used in small quantities for colour correction the only permitted additive.

Surprisingly perhaps, there is no specified minimum or maximum still size. The maximum strength the distillate comes off the still is also not specified.

How Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made...

Scotch Whisky Regions ...

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Highland Park 1978 Vintage image

Highland Park 1978 Vintage

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47.8

Lagavulin 16yo Islay single malt whisky image

Lagavulin 16yo Islay single malt whisky

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

Longrow CV image

Longrow CV

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

Auchentoshan 1975 Limited Edition image

Auchentoshan 1975 Limited Edition

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.9

Highland Park 18 Year Old image

Highland Park 18 Year Old

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

Talisker 25 Year Old image

Talisker 25 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 54.8

Glenfarclas 1957 image

Glenfarclas 1957

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 54

Glengoyne 40 Year Old image

Glengoyne 40 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45.9

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 (bottled 2010 image

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 (bottled 2010

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 55.9

Highland Park 21 Year Old image

Highland Park 21 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47.5

Ardbeg Alligator 2011 image

Ardbeg Alligator 2011

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 51.2

The Dalmore 40 Years Old image

The Dalmore 40 Years Old

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

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1959 (bottled 2001 image

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1959 (bottled 2001

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.2

Port Ellen 32 year old (distilled 1978) image

Port Ellen 32 year old (distilled 1978)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 53.9

Wemyss Lemon Grove ‘Cragganmore’ 1989 (22yo) image

Wemyss Lemon Grove ‘Cragganmore’ 1989 (22yo)

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

Glenfiddich 1974 Vintage Reserve  image

Glenfiddich 1974 Vintage Reserve

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.6

Highland Park Orcadian 1970 Vintage image

Highland Park Orcadian 1970 Vintage

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48

Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old image

Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year Old

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

Highland Park Orcadian 1971 Vintage (40yo) image

Highland Park Orcadian 1971 Vintage (40yo)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47.6

Springbank 12-year-old Cask Strength (1st batch) image

Springbank 12-year-old Cask Strength (1st batch)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 58.5

Ardbeg Supernova 2010 image

Ardbeg Supernova 2010

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 60.1

Glen Garioch 1978 image

Glen Garioch 1978

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 57.8

Highland Park 1973 image

Highland Park 1973

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50.6

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1980 (bottled 2011 image

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1980 (bottled 2011

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43.3

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