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Scotch Single Malt Whisky

Single malt Scotch whisky is Scotland's original whisky. It was traditionally made in the Highlands in the 18th and 19th century only from malted barley. In contrast, Lowland whisky was often made from other grains including oats, wheat, and later maize (corn). Until the Excise Act of 1823, much single malt Scotch whisky would have been made and sold illegally. The passing of this act paved the way for the commercialisation of the industry when famed illicit distilleries like George Smith's Glenlivet went legal.

This led to a boom in distillery building that continued until the 1890s. A series of regions emerged which produced whiskies in a distinct style: Islay, Island, Speyside (previously known as Glenlivet), Campbeltown, Highland and Lowland. Much of this character came from the fuel used for malting the barley. In the case of Islay, it would have been the island's plentiful peat, resulting in a smoky, medicinal taste, whereas Speyside's good railway connections would see it adopting anthracite, a kind of smokeless coal.

By the 1870s, however, most Scotch whisky for export would have been a blend of characterful Highland single malts and Lowland grains. These were pioneered, aged and marketed by shopkeepers like John Walker of Kilmarnock, Chivas Bros of Aberdeen and Arthur Bell & Sons of Perth. These merchants also imported rum, Port, sherry, Madeira and other wines, and had discovered that single malt Scotch whisky did something extraordinary when aged in seasoned wood. In whisky's illicit years, it would have been drunk unaged or even flavoured with herbs and spices but eventually whisky came to be generally regarded as an aged product. Since a court ruling of 1909, Scotch whisky, both malt and grain, has to be aged for a minimum for three years.

Now to be labelled as a single malt Scotch whisky, the spirit has to be made only from malted barley, batch-distilled in copper pot stills (usually twice though there are some triple-distilled single malt Scotch whiskies), aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks in Scotland, and bottled at no less than 40% ABV. The industry is governed by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). Within these strict parameters, however, each distillery produces a unique style through differences in fermentation techniques, distillation, wood ageing etc. On the whole, the regional styles like Islay or Speyside owe more to tradition than anything intrinsic to where they are made.

While for much of the 20th century, Scotch whisky drinkers would have drunk blends, often mixed with soda water, single malts were highly prized by aficionados, though usually only seen as independent bottling from merchants like Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin. In the 1960s, however, Glenfiddich in Speyside began bottling and marketing its single malt Scotch whisky internationally. Its success led to others making this leap such as Glenfarclas, Macallan and Glenlivet. Single malt Scotch whisky as we know it had arrived.

Many of the distilleries built during the boom years of the 19th century have since closed down but in the 21st century Scotch whisky grew rapidly once more and there are now more than 130 malt distilleries in operation. These range from tiny farm operations to vast factories of whisky. Despite the global fame of single malt Scotch whisky, however, the majority of production is still used for blends which make up around 85% of global sales. The success of single malt Scotch whisky has inspired distillers all over the world with countries such as Taiwan, Japan, Australia and America all making single malts that, while distinctive, owe much to the original.

In the 19th century, characterful malt whiskies would have often been drunk mixed with hot water, honey and spices in the form of toddies. Nowadays, most are drunk neat or with a little water but we're starting to see a return to mixing with certain malt whisky cocktails like the Smokey Cokey, a blend of Lagavulin and Coca-Cola, gaining a cult following.

Best Seller

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours

70cl, 46%
Ardbeg

A fascinating one from Ardbeg, Heavy Vapours is the Islay distillery's whisky with the gloves taken off. Meaning it was distilled without using Ardbeg’s purifier. Typically, vapours that rise up the…  More info

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours
5
£120

Edradour 10 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Edradour

Edradour is one of Scotland's smallest distilleries and at the heart of the range, this 10 year old Eastern Highlander is a rather unique single malt, a decidedly rum-like dram with a thick…  More info

Edradour 10 Year Old
96
£43.90
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The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak

70cl, 40%
The Macallan

Released as part of Macallan’s ever-wonderful Sherry Oak range comes this 12 Year Old. It has spent its entire maturation in sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez, and is bottled at 40% ABV after its…  More info

The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak
126
£74.95

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire

This right here is a 10-year-old single malt from an undisclosed distillery on Islay, with 25% of it having been finished in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, and bestowed the decidedly descriptive…  More info

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10 Year Old
113
£37.95
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Mortlach 9 Year Old 2013 Father of Malt (Master of Malt)

70cl, 50%
Mortlach

Look at this shiny addition to our exclusive Master of Malt collection! The special edition single malt Scotch ought to make the perfect present for a whisky-loving father figure. It's labelled…  More info

Mortlach 9 Year Old 2013 Father of Malt (Master of Malt)
£49.95

The Macallan Rare Cask (2023 Release)

70cl, 43%
The Macallan

The highly anticipated 2023 Rare Cask release from The Macallan is a showcase of whisky from the finest sherry-seasoned casks. The casks have been selected as they bring a particularly complex,…  More info

The Macallan Rare Cask (2023 Release)
£320

The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak (2022 Release)

70cl, 43%
The Macallan

Joining The Macallan's superb Sherry Oak range is the 2022 release of its immense 18 year old single malt! Following annual tradition, this expression has been matured in a series of hand-picked…  More info

The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak (2022 Release)
1
£375

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 52.6%
Master of Malt

This is a true secret. Which distillery is this from? We don't know. This isn't one of those 'we can't disclose for commercial reasons' deals. This 31-year-old single cask from Islay gives away some…  More info

Secret Islay Distillery 31 Year Old 1990 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
1
£299.95
Best Seller

Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask

70cl, 43%
Balvenie

A terrific single malt from The Balvenie. This Speysider was initially aged in traditional oak casks before it was finished in casks which previously held Caribbean rum, imparting some extra…  More info

Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
262
£65.94

Filthy Smoke 10 Year Old

50cl, 42.8%
Filthy Smoke

Different people like a lot of different qualities in their whisky. Perhaps you know someone who likes honeyed Speysiders, or grassy Lowland single malts. However, what you've done here is click on a…  More info

Filthy Smoke 10 Year Old
21
£34.95
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Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old

70cl, 46.3%
Bunnahabhain

This entry level Bunnahabhain bottling comes in a redesigned bottle. This 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky is a light, fresh dram, bottled at the higher strength of 46.3% - for more complexity…  More info

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
226
£44.95
£38.95
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Tobermory 12 Year Old

70cl, 46.3%
Tobermory

Released in early 2019, this 12 year old single malt from Tobermory was launched in celebration of the distillery returning to life after a two year break! This expression slumbered peacefully in…  More info

Tobermory 12 Year Old
47
£46.95
£39.95
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Lagavulin 16 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Lagavulin

Lagavulin 16 Year Old was originally intended to be a limited edition bottling. However, due to its popularity, Lagavulin 16 Year Old has become a permanent part of the Lagavulin range since…  More info

Lagavulin 16 Year Old
800
£84.95
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Wormtub 10 Year Old – Batch 2

70cl, 56.8%
Wormtub

First of all, no this bottle has nothing to do with wriggly little pink bugs. Wormtubs are classic bits of distilling equipment and the distinctive, heavy, robust flavours they create are prized…  More info

Wormtub 10 Year Old – Batch 2
18
£49.95
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Glen Scotia 11 Year Old - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023

70cl, 54.7%
Glen Scotia

To celebrate the 2023 Campbeltown Malts Festival, Glen Scotia released this treat of a whisky – a lightly peated 11-year-old single malt, finished for 12 months in white Port casks! Not something you…  More info

Glen Scotia 11 Year Old - Campbeltown Malts Festival 2023
2
£64

Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish

70cl, 40%
Balvenie

Here we have the flagship single malt from Balvenie's series of Port Wood whiskies. This 21 year old expression, a marriage of rare Balvenie, was impressively finished in 30 year old port pipes.…  More info

Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
99
£198
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Tamdhu 12 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Tamdhu

A fabulous Tamdhu, matured exclusively in a combination of first-fill and refill Oloroso sherry casks for 12 years. Sherried Speyside whisky is always a winner, with oodles of fruit and spice. Check…  More info

Tamdhu 12 Year Old
24
£45.90
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The Macallan 15 Year Old Double Cask

70cl, 43%
The Macallan

Another stellar addition to the Double Cask range from Macallan, it's a 15 Year Old expression! The single malt spent its years in a combination of American and European oak, both of which were…  More info

The Macallan 15 Year Old Double Cask
3
£134.99
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Glenfiddich Experimental Series - IPA Cask Finish

70cl, 43%
Glenfiddich

Part of Glenfiddich's Experimental Series comes a single malt which was finished for three months in casks which previously held IPA! Created collaboratively by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman…  More info

Glenfiddich Experimental Series - IPA Cask Finish
46
£47
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The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask

70cl, 40%
The Macallan

An exciting new age statement single malt Scotch whisky from Macallan that's matured in a combination of American and European Sherry oak for a minimum of 12 years. Here, the proportion of American…  More info

The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask
52
£71.38
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Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks 10 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire

Peat and sherry is a great combo, though sometimes it can be a bit like a shouting match between a foghorn and a washing machine full of pots and pans. Thankfully, this one shows off a welcome…  More info

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks 10 Year Old
3
£44.95

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Weeknight Whisky

If you look at your drinks collection, there might be a bottle of something really special in there that you've never opened because you're saving it in case the king of Jupiter comes to visit. While…  More info

Weeknight Whisky Islay 8 Year Old
2
£29.95
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Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength - 2022 Edition

70cl, 56.6%
Bunnahabhain

Back for a second year, Bunnahabhain's annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength is here, bottled at a robust 56.6% ABV. The expression takes inspiration from the tasting experience offered to visitors of the…  More info

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength - 2022 Edition
7
£73.99
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Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength

70cl, 54.2%
Glen Scotia

Glen Scotia's Victoriana sees the Campbeltown distillery's single malt drawn from casks with a particularly heavy char profile, imparting plenty of rich, roasty-toasty notes. This, however, is the…  More info

Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength
21
£71.94
£64.94

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

70cl, 46.3%
The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Another incredible Islay single malt from The Character of Islay Whisky Company, which has been matured for an impressive 33 years! Over three decades of rest for this expression (which was distilled…  More info

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company
4
£399.95

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