Scotch whisky
Words by Simon Difford
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.
How Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made...



Dewar's 12 Year Old Scotch whisky
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

The Bailie Nicol Jarvie (BNJ)
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Cutty Sark Tam o'Shanter
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.5

Compass Box The Entertainer
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.9

Compass Box Delilah's
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Hankey Bannister 40yo
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 44.3

Compass Box The General
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 53.4
John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.8

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

Johnnie Walker Red Label
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Black Label
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker Double Black
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Chivas Regal 25 Year Old
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

J&B Rare
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

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

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2016
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

The Antiquary 21 Year Old
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

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

Buchanan's De Luxe 12 Year Old
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker The Gold Route
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

William Grant’s 25 Year Old
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Johnnie Walker The Royal Route
Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40