Scotch Single Malt Whisky

Single malt Scotch whisky is one of the most revered spirits in the world. It has such scope for variation, it can offer complexity or simplicity, unbridled power or a subtle whisper. To legally be called a single malt Scotch, the whisky must be distilled at a single distillery in Scotland, in a copper pot still from nothing other than malted barley, yeast and water. It must then be aged in an oak cask for at least three years and a day, and be bottled at no less than 40% abv.

There are regional variations within Scotland, and terroir and geography play a massive part in the character of the whisky. Though in a Scotch single malt, it is the oak barrel that has the largest effect upon the character of the finished spirit, purported to be at least 60% of the final flavour.