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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.

Arran Bodega Sherry Cask

70cl, 55.8%
Arran

A well-sherried Arran single malt? Oh yes! This particular expression has been dubbed The Bodega, and after it was distilled at Lochranza the whisky has been matured for seven years in first-fill…  More info

Arran Bodega Sherry Cask
13
$57.53

Benriach The Twelve

70cl, 46%
Benriach

From Benriach's 2020 relaunch of its cracking core range comes The Twelve, a 12 year old Speyside single malt mature in a trio of casks - namely sherry casks, bourbon casks and Port casks! This…  More info

Benriach The Twelve
18
$39.97
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Old Pulteney 12 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Pulteney

The 12 year old expression from Old Pulteney released in mid-2018 was entirely aged in bourbon casks, resulting in a heavy influence of bourbon sweetness - which helps to balance the characteristic…  More info

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old
57
$32.88
$28.66
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Nc'nean Organic Single Malt Whisky

70cl, 46%
Nc'nean

Produced from organic Scottish barley, this single malt begins with a gentle fermentation and distillation at the carbon neutral Nc'nean distillery. The whisky is then filled into a combo of red wine…  More info

Nc'nean Organic Single Malt Whisky
8
$48.23
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GlenAllachie 8 Year Old Scottish Oak Finish

70cl, 48%
GlenAllachie

Superb single malt from GlenAllachie, this eight-year-old expression join's the third batch of the distillery's Virgin Oak Series. After beginning its maturation in American oak bourbon barrels, the…  More info

GlenAllachie 8 Year Old Scottish Oak Finish
$67.79

Speyside 7 Year Old 2015 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 40%
Speyside

We're big fans of The Speyside Distillery, and we've been looking forward to the day that this single malt reached bottling time. That day came in 2022, seven years after distillation, when we…  More info

Speyside 7 Year Old 2015 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
2
$23.58

Laphroaig Lore

70cl, 48%
Laphroaig

Created by Distillery Manager John Campbell, Laphroaig Lore is said to be the richest ever Laphroaig! Named after the skills passed down over the generations, this permanent addition to the range is…  More info

Laphroaig Lore
52
$66.67
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Ben Nevis 1998 (bottled 2021) (cask 1367) - Berry Bros. & Rudd (Master of Malt Exclusive)

70cl, 54.5%
Ben Nevis

Master of Malt exclusive! Behind, a brilliant Berry Bros. & Rudd bottling of Ben Nevis that is exclusive to us! This ace single malt Scotch whisky was distilled by Ben Nevis back in 1998, and left…  More info

Ben Nevis 1998 (bottled 2021) (cask 1367) - Berry Bros. & Rudd (Master of Malt Exclusive)
$210.56
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Glenrothes 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 60.4%
Glenrothes

Some say the number 13 is unlucky, but not for this little gem from Glenrothes. Plus, why would they call it a baker's dozen if it was unlucky, who doesn't want an extra loaf? Distilled in 2009, the…  More info

Glenrothes 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
1
$61.59

Glen Scotia 15 Year Old

70cl, 46%
Glen Scotia

This is the 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky from Glen Scotia in the Campbeltown region, released in 2015 as part of a redesign for their range. The distillers use specially selected American…  More info

Glen Scotia 15 Year Old
39
$69.87
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Glenfarclas 12 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Glenfarclas

Lots of sherry and fruit in this, Glenfarclas 12 was originally bottled for export and travel retail markets. In 2006, it was named the "Best Sherried Whisky" in the Single Malt World Cup, and in…  More info

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old
54
$43.09

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 015

70cl, 56.5%
Laphroaig

The latest batch (#15, no less) of Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength demonstrates that the Islay distillery is no danger of running out of peaty powerhouses for us to enjoy. This has all the smoky,…  More info

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 015
6
$79.06
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The Glenturret 12 Year Old (2021 Release)

70cl, 46%
Glenturret

Matured in a combination of American and European oak, its the 2021 release of 12 year old single malt from The Glenturret Distillery! An indulgent balance of spiced fruits and creamy vanilla,…  More info

The Glenturret 12 Year Old (2021 Release)
6
$66.72
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Deanston 12 Year Old

70cl, 46.3%
Deanston

The new, relaunched 12 year old, this single malt has been bottled at a slightly higher proof, negating the necessity for chill-filtration and as such retaining more of its original charm. A lovely…  More info

Deanston 12 Year Old
79
$42.63
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Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish

70cl, 48%
Laphroaig

Smoke and sherry here from Laphroaig! The legendary distillery on the south coast of Islay has gone and released a fab 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky which has been finished in Oloroso sherry…  More info

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish
24
$58.46
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Weeknight Whisky Speyside 8 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Weeknight Whisky

A lot of drinks fans will have a bottle somewhere in their collection that they're saving for a special occasion, or only have a glass from every once in a blue moon because it's so special. This…  More info

Weeknight Whisky Speyside 8 Year Old
3
$51.32
$30.77

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Glenkinchie

The flagship expression from the Glenkinchie distillery, one of the stalwarts of the Lowlands. A fantastic introduction to the region, Glenkinchie 12 Year Old shows off the characteristic lightness…  More info

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old
81
$43.10
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Lagavulin 8 Year Old

70cl, 48%
Lagavulin

After the wonderful reception that the Lagavulin 8 Year Old 200th Anniversary Edition received when it was released in 2016, the Islay-based distillers decided to add this delicious expression to…  More info

Lagavulin 8 Year Old
66
$61.43
$58.55
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Clynelish 14 Year Old

70cl, 46%
Clynelish

A coastal and peaty single malt, the flagship expression from Clynelish boasts a fabulous flavour profile filled with its distinctive waxy notes. Clynelish is the successor to Brora which closed in…  More info

Clynelish 14 Year Old
97
$51.31
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The Glenturret 12 Year Old (2022 Release)

70cl, 46%
Glenturret

The Glenturret Distillery's annual release of 12-year-old single malt is here! This 2022 expression spent its time resting in a combination of American oak hogsheads and European oak casks, resulting…  More info

The Glenturret 12 Year Old (2022 Release)
1
$67.60

Edradour Caledonia 12 Year Old

70cl, 46%
Edradour

This Caledonia Edradour is a release specially selected by songwriter Douglas Maclean and named after his famous song, Caledonia. The cask was an Oloroso sherry cask, distilled in 1997.  More info

Edradour Caledonia 12 Year Old
26
$63.59

Ledaig 10 Year Old

70cl, 46.3%
Tobermory

The Tobermory Distillery on the picturesque Isle of Mull isn't home to just unpeated whisky. It also makes superbly smoky single malt under the name of Ledaig (that name isn't simply a coincidence,…  More info

Ledaig 10 Year Old
107
$43.93
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Talisker 10 Year Old

70cl, 45.8%
Talisker

A classic Island whisky from the Isle of Skye. Aged for a minimum of 10 years in American oak casks, this welcome member of Diageo's Classic Malts series has been recognised numerous times for its…  More info

Talisker 10 Year Old
350
$44.68
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Darkness 8 Year Old

70cl, 47.8%
Darkness

At the core of this Darkness expression is an eight year old single malt Scotch whisky which has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels. Following that, the whisky is moved over to custom-made Oloroso…  More info

Darkness 8 Year Old
22
$51.32
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Glengoyne 21 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Glengoyne

A fabulously sherried single malt from Glengoyne, matured predominantly in first fill European oak sherry casks for 21 long years. Its time in the cask has bestowed upon it lovely rich fruity notes…  More info

Glengoyne 21 Year Old
50
$179.79
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