Single Malt and Blended Scotch Whisky

Before Scotch Whisky, all types, can be called Scotch Whisky it must fulfil three main criteria, which are defined in law:

  1. It must be distilled and matured in Scotland;
  2. Matured for a minimum of three years in oak casks;
  and
  3. Bottled at a minimum strength of 40% ABV (alcohol by volume).

Of the varieties of Scotch Whisky that are produced to this criteria, there are two main types: Single Malt Scotch Whisky(or Single Malt Whisky) and Blended Scotch whisky.

  Single Malt Scotch Whisky
    a) Made from 100% malted barley
    b) The product of a single distillery

    Examples of Single Malts

Aberlour	Macallan
Talisker	Glenfarclas
Laphroaig	Glenmorangie
Glenfiddich	Isle of Jura

  Blended Scotch Whisky
    a) Made by blending together a number of single malts
     (can be up to 40) and grain whisky (whiskies).
    b) Accounts for 90% of all Scotch whisky sold.

    Examples of Blended Scotch Whisky

Bell's	Chivas Regal
The Famous Grouse	Teacher's
Whyte and Mackay	Dewar's
Grant's	Isle of Skye

Two further types of Scotch whisky are available, but to a lesser extent:

  Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
   (sometimes referred to as Vatted or Pure Malt Scotch Whisky)
    a) A union of a number of single Malts.
    b) Commonly referred to as Pure Malt, particularly in France.


  Grain Scotch Whisky
    a) Produced by the continuous Patent (Coffey) Still method.
     (Malt whisky is distilled in Pot Stills)
     b) Distilled from grains and a usually a proportion of barley.