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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.

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks & Cask Strength 10 Year Old (Batch 03)

70cl, 56.4%
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire

A superb single malt from the Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire range, but this time, there are a few more ampersands in the mix. Y'see, this edition features the same smoky 10 year old Islay whisky…  More info

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks & Cask Strength 10 Year Old (Batch 03)
4
$82.03

Craigellachie 11 Year Old 2011 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 65.4%
Craigellachie

Imagine cracking open a cask of Craigellachie single malt after 11 long years. You've had a little taste, and things are looking good, but how many bottles will that cask yield? It's always the last…  More info

Craigellachie 11 Year Old 2011 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
5
$51.25

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Gift Set

80cl, 46.7%
Glenfarclas

The Glenfarclas Distillery in Speyside has put together a cracking gift set right here! It contains a 70cl bottle of a brilliant Glenfarclas 15 Year Old, alongside a 50ml miniature of the Glenfarclas…  More info

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Gift Set
4
$69.72

Wormtub 12 Year Old Single Cask

70cl, 58.3%
Wormtub

Something special for fans of Wormtub here. A single cask expression of the full flavoured whisky, matured for 12 years and finished in a first-fill oloroso sherry hogshead. Old-school condensers…  More info

Wormtub 12 Year Old Single Cask
1
$76.90

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 18 Year Old

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

The follow-up (in age terms) to the hugely popular Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire collection has been treated to a longer maturation – 18 years in total! With a good portion of sherry casks in the…  More info

Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 18 Year Old
3
$76.90

The Macallan A Night On Earth In Scotland 2022 Release

70cl, 43%
The Macallan

The 2022 release of The Macallan A Night on Earth in Scotland. Full of symbolism linked to Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations on the 31st of December and the 'first footing' tradition, where it's good…  More info

The Macallan A Night On Earth In Scotland 2022 Release
2
$102.54

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Glenfarclas

A much adored expression here - 40 year old single malt Scotch whisky from the legendary Glenfarclas, offering up generous helpings of Sherried notes that the distillery are famous for. Bottled at…  More info

Glenfarclas 40 Year Old
3
$1,282.45
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Secret Speyside Distillery 24 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 55.3%
Master of Malt

While taking a hike around the Speyside region, we came across the strangest thing. A high-security distillery! There were watch towers, some serious looking personnel in dark shades and suits, all…  More info

Secret Speyside Distillery 24 Year Old 1998 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
2
$102.54

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
2
$46.12

Bowmore 21 Year Old Aston Martin - Masters' Selection

70cl, 51.8%
Bowmore

A cracking collaborative effort between the Bowmore Distillery and Aston Martin – the first release in the Masters' Selection series! This 21 year old single malt was created by the teamwork of…  More info

Bowmore 21 Year Old Aston Martin - Masters' Selection
2
$717.14

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Glenfarclas

Superb single malt from the Glenfarclas distillery, aged for 30 years. Three decades of maturation have resulted in a fantastically full-bodied, satisfyingly Sherried and all-around awesome flavour…  More info

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old
8
$666.88
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Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2011 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 60.6%
Brackla

The Brackla distillery was bestowed its regal prefix in 1835 by King William IV and, almost 200 years later, we got our hands on a big old refill butt of its royally delicious single malt. Distilled…  More info

Royal Brackla 11 Year Old 2011 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
1
$51.25

Bladnoch Vinaya

70cl, 46.7%
Bladnoch

A no-age statement Lowland single malt from Bladnoch, Vinaya has been matured in the delicious duo of first-fill bourbon and first-fill sherry casks. It's all about florals, chocolate, and spices in…  More info

Bladnoch Vinaya
11
$51.19

Tamdhu 18 Year Old

70cl, 46.8%
Tamdhu

The talented folks at Tamdhu know all about producing deliciously sherried single malts, and have a wealth of casks at their disposal. Here we have a limited edition 18 year old expression, matured…  More info

Tamdhu 18 Year Old
1
$143.63

Edradour 10 Year Old 2012 (cask 305) - Un-Chilfiltered Collection (Signatory)

70cl, 46%
Edradour

This 10-year-old single malt from Edradour joins Signatory's Un-Chillfiltered Collection. The Highland whisky was distilled in June 2012 and matured in a single cask, with plenty of sherry influence.…  More info

Edradour 10 Year Old 2012 (cask 305) - Un-Chilfiltered Collection (Signatory)
1
$59.45

Highland Park Cask Strength - Release No.3

70cl, 64.1%
Highland Park

The third installment of Highland Park's Cask Strength series is here! Master whisky maker Gordon Motion opted for a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt than previous releases, resulting in a…  More info

Highland Park Cask Strength - Release No.3
3
$60.42

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
$23.55

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
$61.51
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Bowmore 25 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Bowmore

A 25 year old from the Bowmore distillery aged in American bourbon and Spanish sherry casks. The sherry influence combines wonderfully with the coastal, smoky distillery style to create a sublime…  More info

Bowmore 25 Year Old
5
$389.70
$379.60

Benrinnes 12 Year Old 2010 Single Cask (Master of Malt)

70cl, 51.1%
Benrinnes

Bag a brilliant Benrinnes single malt with this addition to our own line of independent bottlings. Distilled in 2010, the whisky matured for a dozen years, including a finish in an oloroso hogshead.…  More info

Benrinnes 12 Year Old 2010 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
2
$56.37

Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish

70cl, 46%
Craigellachie

Ooh, Craigellachie has gone and made a rather intriguing expression here – a single malt Scotch whisky finished in Bas-Armagnac casks! You don't see that very often at all! Inspired by the…  More info

Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish
1
$55.40
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Talisker 25 Year Old

70cl, 45.8%
Talisker

This right here is a 25 year old single malt Scotch whisky from the Talisker distillery. Housing a single malt Scotch whisky that was predominantly matured in American oak hogsheads with some…  More info

Talisker 25 Year Old
5
$445.77
$420.47
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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
$51.25
$30.73

Talisker Distillers Edition - 2022 Collection

70cl, 45.8%
Talisker

Double matured Talisker joins the 2022 Distillers Edition collection. Here, the smoky Isle of Skye single malt has been given a good dose of fruity sweetness from amoroso (a style of sweetened…  More info

Talisker Distillers Edition - 2022 Collection
1
$58.47

Caperdonich 18 Year Old Peated - Secret Speyside Collection

70cl, 48%
Caperdonich

Peated single malt from the closed Caperdonich Distillery, released as part of the Secret Speyside Collection. This particular expression was matured for 18 years in American oak barrels before being…  More info

Caperdonich 18 Year Old Peated - Secret Speyside Collection
5
$141.57

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