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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.

Aberfeldy 10 Year Old 2012 (cask 16904) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)

70cl, 46%
Aberfeldy

From Aberfeldy Distillery comes a 2012 vintage single malt aged in a single refill cask for a decade before it was bottled with no-chill-filtration or additional colouring for the Provenance range by…  More info

Aberfeldy 10 Year Old 2012 (cask 16904) - Provenance (Douglas Laing)
£54.95

Aberfeldy 10 Year Old - Premier Barrel (Douglas Laing)

70cl, 46%
Aberfeldy

Joining the Premier Barrel collection from Douglas Laing, an impressive single malt from Aberfeldy which the independent bottler describes as a "Hyperbolically hearty Highland malt"! Matured for a…  More info

Aberfeldy 10 Year Old - Premier Barrel (Douglas Laing)
£75

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

A classic Highland dram, Aberfeldy 12 Year Old single malt whisky is a creamy, sweet and gently smoky example of what the region produces. Bolstered by plenty of Aberfeldy's signature honeyed fruit…  More info

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old
200
£37.39
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Aberfeldy 12 Year Old with Gold Bar Tin

70cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

Feast your eyes on this splendid set from Aberfeldy, including a bottle of its marvellous 12 Year Old single malt, accompanied by an extremely handsome tin, shaped like a gold bar! It'll make an ace…  More info

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old with Gold Bar Tin
£43
£40.95

Aberfeldy 15 Year Old - Flora and Fauna - 1990s

70cl, 43%
Aberfeldy

A 15 year old bottling from Aberfeldy, part of Diageo's Flora and Fauna. This particular expression was discontinued from the Flora and Fauna series as Aberfeldy was purchased by Bacardi in 1998.…  More info

Aberfeldy 15 Year Old - Flora and Fauna - 1990s
£399

Aberfeldy 15 Year Old - Red Wine Cask Collection

70cl, 43%
Aberfeldy

A 15 year old single malt from Highland distillery Aberfeldy, part of its Red Wine Cask Collection. This limited edition bottling has been finished in cabernet sauvignon wine casks from the Napa…  More info

Aberfeldy 15 Year Old - Red Wine Cask Collection
3
£65

Aberfeldy 16 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

16-year-old single malt from the fantastic Aberfeldy distillery, which has been operating in the foothills of Scotland's central Highlands since 1898. This expression is finished in oloroso Sherry…  More info

Aberfeldy 16 Year Old
22
£67.74
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Aberfeldy 18 Year Old - Red Wine Cask Collection

70cl, 43%
Aberfeldy

Finished in red wine casks from Bolgheri in Tuscany, this single malt Scotch whisky from Aberfeldy was matured for 18 years. The red wine cask finish has lent plenty of rich, red fruit, and spicy oak…  More info

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old - Red Wine Cask Collection
£94.90

Aberfeldy 19 Year Old (cask 3076-78) - Exceptional Cask Series

70cl, 43%
Aberfeldy

Part of the Exceptional Cask Series, this Highland single malt Scotch whisky from Aberfeldy has been aged for 19 years. With an oloroso sherry finish, this small batch expression of 2,256 bottles was…  More info

Aberfeldy 19 Year Old (cask 3076-78) - Exceptional Cask Series
£148.99

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

The Aberfeldy distillery is nestled in the foothills of the central Highlands, and has been in operation since it was founded in 1898. Matured for a generous 21 years, this single malt boasts classic…  More info

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
39
£158.99

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 4713) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

70cl, 46%
Aberfeldy

A Montgomerie's Rare Select bottling of 21 year old single malt from the Aberfeldy distillery, drawn from a single bourbon cask which was laid down in July 1996 and cracked open in September 2017.  More info

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 4713) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
£174.95

Aberfeldy 25 Year Old

70cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

A rare old bottling of Aberfeldy 25 Year Old, presented in a bottle very different from the shorter, rounder style of bottles you see Aberfeldy in these days. A wonderful collectible piece for…  More info

Aberfeldy 25 Year Old
1
£399

Aberfeldy 27 Year Old 1991 (Master of Malt)

70cl, 44.3%
Aberfeldy

Nestled in the foothills of Scotland's Central Highlands, the Aberfeldy distillery uses Scottish malted barley and long fermentation to produce its gloriously golden, honey-rich single malts.…  More info

Aberfeldy 27 Year Old 1991 (Master of Malt)
£179.95

Aberfeldy 27 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

50cl, 44.3%
Aberfeldy

A brilliantly golden single malt from Aberfeldy, independently bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Rather appropriately, the label features spirits expert and writer Ian Buxton striking gold…  More info

Aberfeldy 27 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
£232.95

Aberfeldy 7 Year Old 2015 (cask 1203) - The Cooper's Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.)

70cl, 54.5%
Aberfeldy

Seven-year-old single malt from Aberfeldy, distilled in 2015 and matured in American oak before a finishing period in a ruby Port cask. The cask was opened by The Vintage Malt Whisky Co., releasing a…  More info

Aberfeldy 7 Year Old 2015 (cask 1203) - The Cooper's Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.)
£82.95

Aberfeldy 7 Year Old 2015 (cask 499) - The Cooper's Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.)

70cl, 55.5%
Aberfeldy

Distilled in September 2015, this single cask, single malt from Aberfeldy matured for over seven years. Spending time in American oak before moving to a Beaumes de Venise sweet wine cask, it was…  More info

Aberfeldy 7 Year Old 2015 (cask 499) - The Cooper's Choice (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.)
£73.94

Aberfeldy The Golden Dram Tasting Collection (3 x 20cl)

60cl, 40%
Aberfeldy

A tasty trio of tipples from the Aberfeldy Distillery! This tasting collection features a 20cl bottle of three different Aberfeldy single malts, including Aberfeldy 12 Year Old, Aberfeldy 16 Year…  More info

Aberfeldy The Golden Dram Tasting Collection (3 x 20cl)
1
£69.94

Aberlour 11 Year Old 2011 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)

70cl, 47.5%
Aberlour

A first-fill bourbon barrel is what this single malt from Aberlour spent 11 years maturing in after it was distilled in 2011. So you've got plenty of lively bourbon character coming through, with…  More info

Aberlour 11 Year Old 2011 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
£63.95

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured

70cl, 40%
Aberlour

The fantastic and always popular Aberlour 12 Year Old, matured in both traditional oak and sherry casks, now bottled at 40% abv.  More info

Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured
136
£42.44

Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask Matured

70cl, 40%
Aberlour

A 14 year old single malt from the awesome Aberlour Distillery up in Scotland's prolific Speyside region. This expression has enjoyed its maturation in a combination of Oloroso sherry casks and…  More info

Aberlour 14 Year Old Double Cask Matured
2
£59.94

Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured

70cl, 40%
Aberlour

Matured in two types of casks, the traditional oak and sherry oak casks and bottled at a slightly lower abv of 40% than previous editions, this 16 year old Aberlour is bursting with lush plum, raisin…  More info

Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured
34
£105

Aberlour 18 Year Old

50cl, 43%
Aberlour

18 year old single malt from Aberlour up in Speyside. A well-matured, heavily sherried expression, the perfect thing for a late evening dram.  More info

Aberlour 18 Year Old
14
£135.99

Aberlour 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 900053) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

70cl, 46%
Aberlour

A 21 year old single malt from the Aberlour Distillery, independently bottled by Montgomerie's as part of the Rare Select series. This one was distilled back in February 1996 and filled into a single…  More info

Aberlour 21 Year Old 1996 (cask 900053) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)
£158.86

Aberlour 6 Year Old 2012 (Master of Malt)

70cl, 46.9%
Aberlour

Our own Master of Malt bottle of Aberlour single malt, distilled in November 2012 and matured for six years in a refill hogshead. Brimming with vibrant, zesty fruit and oily, nutty malt, there are…  More info

Aberlour 6 Year Old 2012 (Master of Malt)
£44.95

Aberlour 6 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

50cl, 49.9%
Aberlour

A youthful single malt from Aberlour, which has been independently bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company. The eight Boutique-y batch from this Speyside-based distillery was aged for 6 years and…  More info

Aberlour 6 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
1
£61.95
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