Ask the Expert

WHAT TYPES OF SCOTCH WHISKY ARE THERE?

There are two primary categories of Scotch whisky. They are malt whisky and grain whisky. Both must be not only distilled in Scotland, but also matured there, for a minimum of three years, in oak casks. Further to these two major types, there are also three others recognised by law, namely blended Scotch whisky, blended malt whisky and blended grain whisky.

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WHAT IS SINGLE MALT WHISKY?

A single malt whisky is the malt whisky produced at just one distillery, without any blending with a product from elsewhere. It is possible that a single malt could be the whisky from a single distillery but combining several different batches from over the years, or different batches from any given year. It can also be assembled from whisky matured in different types of oak casks – European and American oak for example, but always from the same distillery.

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WHAT IS SINGLE CASK MALT WHISKY?

This takes single malt whisky one stage further. A single cask malt whisky is just that – the bottle contains only whisky which was matured in the same cask. A single cask may give many different bottles of whisky. Single cask malts may be exceptionally successful products of the distillery in question, but they may also be unrepresentative of the distillery’s normal production. This is because as wood is a living material, maturation may vary considerably from one cask to another. A single cask whisky is thus not always a guarantee of quality.

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HOW IS SINGLE MALT WHISKY MADE?

Click here to follow our Classic Malts Distillery Managers as they guide you through the process.

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WHAT GIVES A SINGLE MALT ITS DISTINCTIVE AROMAS AND FLAVOURS?

There are a number of influencers on the final flavours, aromas and tastes of Single Malt Scotch Whisky that vary by distillery. Here are the 5 main ones:

The barley
Unlike other whiskies, Scotch Malt Whisky is made only of malted barley and no other grains. 

The water
This is a topic that remains the subject of much debate. As you’d expect, a great deal of water is used throughout the distillation process, yet scientists claim that its influence is minimal. One to judge for yourself maybe…

The landscape
No other drink allows you to taste the landscape from which it was made like a glass of malt whisky. Heather, sea, mountains and peat can all be detected.

The craft
Whether it be the process of malting, particularly if it takes place over the strong aroma of peat smoke, the fermentation time, the shape of the still or the distillation process, there are an infinite number of variables that can be affected by the craftsmanship of the Distillery Manager. In the case of the Classic Malts, the goal is always to produce a spirit of the same characteristics and quality as that which has come before. However, our Distillers Editions, Special Releases and exclusive Friends’ bottlings allow our Distillery Managers greater freedom to express their craftsmanship.

The oak
The cask has a critical effect on the final product. In particular, that means the type of wood used, and the previous contents of the cask.

The period of maturation is also essential. It is down to the skills of the Distillery Manager to know when the wood of the cask and the new make spirit have finished having what is described as their ‘conversation’. During this period, the spirit and the wood exchange important qualities of flavour. The length of this ‘exchange’ can vary from cask to cask.

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WHAT IS MEANT BY THE 'AGE' OF THE WHISKY?

The age of a single malt refers specifically to the period of time it has spent maturing in its cask. During this period, the spirit and the wood exchange important qualities of flavour. The length of this exchange can vary from cask to cask and it is the role of the Distillery Manager to identify at which point the whisky will be at its very best.

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WHAT TYPE OF WOOD ARE CASKS MADE FROM?

Single malt whisky casks are made from mature oak wood, usually 100 years old or thereabouts. There are two types: the European or Spanish oak (Quercus robur) and the American oak (Quercus alba). Almost every cask used in the making of whisky has been used previously for the production of bourbon or sherry. The majority of single malt whisky is matured in casks of American oak.

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IS THERE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF GLASS I SHOULD USE FOR DRINKING?

To best appreciate the appearance and flavour of a new single malt, you should look for a glass that is clear of decoration, and that has a bowl with an inward curve towards the top, so that the glass narrows. This focuses the aromas to the nose and helps keep the delicate flavours in. However, it’s also perfectly fine to enjoy your favourite Classic Malt out of your favourite glass.

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CAN I PUT ICE, WATER OR COLA IN A CLASSIC MALT?

The answer is yes to all of these, because so much about the way you prefer to enjoy a CLASSIC MALT is about personal preference.

Adding ice to a single malt can certainly make a refreshing drink. However, if you’re wanting to appreciate the more subtle qualities of a single malt, you should note that the coldness of the ice can sometimes reduce the aromas and flavours present in the whisky

Adding water to any single malt changes the composition of the spirit and unlocks more flavours and aromas. The key is to add a little water at a time to prevent diluting the whisky too much.

Adding cola, or any type of mixer, can bring a fresh approach to the enjoyment of a single malt. However, you may find that Blended Scotch Whiskies, such as Johnnie Walker Red Label, are better suited to this role.

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WHAT SORT OF WATER SHOULD I ADD TO A SINGLE MALT, AND HOW MUCH?

Ideally, the water added would be the same as that used by the distillery to make the whisky. But that’s not easy to do, especially if you enjoy your single malt outside of Scotland. The best bet is to add still Scottish spring water, or soft tap water without too many added chemicals. The proportion of water to whisky is a matter of taste, but best take it slowly until you find the balance to suit your tastes.

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HOW LONG CAN I KEEP A SINGLE MALT WHISKY IN THE BOTTLE?

Sealed and stored away from bright sunlight, in a cool place, you should be able to keep a single malt indefinitely. The corks used in today’s bottling of Classic Malts are exceptionally good and there should be no deterioration. However, in much older bottlings, before corks were made to current high standards, the corks have been known to deteriorate and spoil the contents.

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HOW LONG CAN I KEEP SINGLE MALT WHISKY ONCE OPENED?

The answer really depends on how much air is in the bottle. As you take each dram, more air is then able to interact with the spirit. The more air there is, the greater the chance that it will start to alter the character of the remainder of the spirit. You should enjoy your whisky responsibly at all times, but a little left for too long will result in faster deterioration.

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