The types of whisky : Single Malt, Blend, Scotch … for beginners who want to come in the universe of whisky, it is not uncommon to be a little lost when you start to look at what exists in “Whisky“. A little reminder on the different types of whisky and their names, you will see, it is not complicated! Follow the guide…
Single Malt : this is a type of whisky which is produced and which comes from a single distillery. The specifications oblige the distillery which makes this whisky to use only barley and only barley, this barley is of course malted. Once the mashing is done, and only with barley, then it will have to be distilled in an “ironing” still called Pot Still.
Grain whisky : this is a whisky which is obtained from barley but also from corn and wheat after continuous distillation. It is not common to find grain whisky bottled as such. These are whiskys that are often reserved for the production of “Blend Whisky“.
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“Single cask” means that there has been no blending and that the whisky comes from a single cask… logical !
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Blend Whisky : if you mix Single Malt with grain whisky you get Blend Whisky ! In a Blend Whisky, there is generally 40% Single Malt and 60% Grain Whisky. Blend Whisky represents almost 90% of Scottish production. Blend has the particularity of being lighter than Single Malt and cheaper in general.
Little reminder : it takes 3 years (and 1 day!) Of aging in wood (that is to say in barrels) to call a brew distillate “Whisky“. As the name suggests, “Scotch Whisky” is used only for whisky from Scotland. We often and increasingly find spirits with the name “Flower of Malt” or even “Spirit of Malt”. They are quite simply spirits which have not been aged in wood for 3 years and which are nevertheless marketed. They are therefore not entitled to the designation “Whisky“. It is a strong market demand which encourages the distillers not to wait 3 years before selling. It is not uncommon to find very good bottles outside the appellation “Whisky“.
Can we make a Blend of Single Malt ? Well yes, it is quite possible! The bottler will simply have to register Blended Malt Whisky instead of Single Malt.
“Single cask” means that there has been no blending and that the whisky comes from a single cask… logical !
Good tasting and above all don’t forget : no snobbery in terms of whisky, it’s all a question of taste and tasting time!
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