The biggest difference is that a single grain does not have to be made exclusively with malted barley and - this is where the name might be confusing - it can be made with one or more cereals (malted or not), such as wheat, corn or rye. Single grain: Like single malts, single grain Scotches must be made at a single distillery. Unlike the other blended types, blended malt Scotch does not include any grain whisky. This step makes it easier for the grain to ferment into alcohol.īlended malt: Not to be confused with blended grain Scotch or blended Scotch, this type is a mix of different single malts from multiple distilleries. So a single malt Scotch, such as GlenDronach, can be a blend of whiskies from different years and casks - but they must all originate from that one distillery in this case, GlenDronach.Īnd what is malted barley exactly? It’s barley that’s been soaked and allowed to sprout. The term means that the Scotch is from a single distillery. Contrary to popular belief, a single malt isn’t from a single batch or barrel. Single malt: The malt here refers to the malted barley, the only grain allowed for single malts. There are different types of this whisky and, in the final rendering, one can taste completely different from the next. The above guidelines are just a rough sketch of what defines Scotch. If during production, a barrel even meanders over the border to England, it’s no longer considered a true Scotch whisky. For super premium (and super pricey) bottles, you’ll see them aged over 20 years.Īnother rule: Scotch must be made entirely in Scotland. You’ll find drams aged for much longer - think 10, 15 or 18 years. Three years, however, is often just the minimum age for Scotch. Label tip: The big number you see on the bottle refers to the age. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, “All Scotch whisky must legally be at least three years old,” and “by law the minimum bottling strength is 40% alcohol by volume.” As with most spirits, there are a whole host of rules dictating how Scotch must be produced. Scotch is a spirit usually distilled from malted barley then aged in oak barrels or oak casks. No matter your preference, we’ve got you covered with the top affordable bottles in each category in our roundup of Best Whiskey Brands. Bourbon, on the other hand, must be distilled mostly with corn, while rye whiskey must have a majority of - you guessed it - rye in the mash. For Scotch, it’s predominantly malted barley. What distinguishes each is the grain used in the mash. There are many kinds of whiskey, including bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish whiskey and Japanese whisky. Whiskey is a spirit distilled from a fermented mash of grains, then often aged in barrels. Curious where Bourbon falls in the mix? Check out our Bourbon vs. (A handy way to remember is that the countries with E in the name spell “whiskey” with the E.) So to circle back, all Scotch is whiskey but not all whiskey (or whisky) is Scotch. If you just clocked the change in spelling for “whiskey” (no E), good eye! Scotland as well as Canada and Japan spell it “whisky” whereas the United States and Ireland spell it “whiskey.” This article will use the spelling that corresponds to the spirit's country of origin. Here's the simplest answer: Scotch is a type of whisky made in Scotland. Luckily, we put together this guide to help you understand the difference between Scotch and whiskey so you're prepared next time the subject comes up. whiskey, aren’t they the same?” because they'll do a spit-take at the question.
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