The flavour of Scotch single malt whisky can be described as being fruity, smoky, or peaty. Scotch single malt whiskeys are typically drunk neat or with a splash of water.
The history of single malt scotch whisky dates back to the early 1800s, when it was first produced in Scotland. The popularity of single malt whisky grew in the early 1900s, when it began to be produced in other countries, such as Ireland and Japan.
Single malt whisky is now produced all over the world, and it is one of the most popular types of whisky. There are many different brands of single malt whisky, and each brand has its own unique flavour. Single malt whiskies are typically classified by their region of origin, such as Scotch whisky, Irish whisky, or Japanese 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.
Single malt whisky is typically spelt without the "e" because of its Scottish origins but may be referred to as single malt whiskey if it originates from countries such as America.