What is the difference between single malt and blended scotch

Obviously, this also means it comes from one specific distillery as well so they also count as single malts.

Another demarcation is single malt vs single grain. The difference lies in grain vs malt! So, while single grain whiskies do have to come from one distillery, they do not have to come from malted barley.

Corn, rye, and wheat can be used, and it can be malted or unmalted. Distillation is a huge part of the difference in malt versus grain. They use different stills to produce their whisky! Pot stills require double distillation, are less reliable, and create smaller batches. Perfect for single malts! Coffey stills are much more reliable and can produce much larger quantities with higher ABV.

Which is why these are often used in blends. Single Malt is strong and difficult to produce. Blended whiskies evolved not only as a flavor alternative but a price and market alternative as well.

Blended whisky accounts for a huge percentage of whisky purchased world-wide. It takes years to make a 21 year single malt. It takes far less time to create a delicious blend. And, it appeals to a wider audience meaning more sales! Without selling blends, single malt distilleries would probably close. So, whether you love them or hate them, blends are necessary! As with single distillery whiskies, blends can be divided into categories. Though any blended scotch does have to contain one single malt and one single grain.

The more malt, the higher the price! Blended malt scotch is exactly what you image. A blend of two or more single malts from various distilleries around Scotland. However, bottles can and will include a single grain.

You got it! A blend of two or more different grain whiskies from around Scotland. These are less common than blended malts, but they do exist. Just like wines, Scotch flavors are largely dependent on location. Some areas are extra peated Islay while others are soft and sweet Speyside and still others are full-bodied smoke Highland.

When tasting from a distillery, keep in mind where in Scotland the distillery operates. There are five distinct areas of Scotland that can be grouped according to general taste. Although bottles and distilleries do still vary within groups depending on process! The largest region some argue the Islands should be excluded and form their own Highland scotches have wide variety.

You can find unpeated bottles, but many have a smokey flavor, though they are lighter and with more fruitcake notes than Islay versions. A subregion of the Highlands, Speyside is considered the most elegant and refined of all scotches.

They are typically sweeter and nuttier, with grassy undertones. This is a lower-production region with lighter and more delicate whiskies. They have soft honey and cream textures, with hints of light spice like ginger, cinnamon, and toast. Cambelltown is a tiny region and has dramatically reduced its distillery number.

But it still produces remarkably distinctive and popular malts among their following. An eclectic mix of smoke, salt, fruit, nuts, and wool combine the best of all the Scotch worlds. These are usually the heavy-hitters of Scotch.

They are the strongest and most powerful with classic peat and smoke. Since the islands are swept by storms, wind, rain, and seawater, most Islay scotches also have an element of the sea.

Salt, seaweed, brine, and iodine are common flavors you find with peat! Single malts are incredibly varied based on location and distillery. However, once you find a single malt from a specific distillery, the flavor will be fairly consistent bottle to bottle.

Look to the list above to find which areas and distilleries have the profile you like best! The taste of Blended Scotch is harder to generalize. The combination of different distilleries obviously takes away that location consistency.

And since blended scotches can even combine grains, you have an even wider range of options beyond malt! Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Pin Share Email. Featured Video. Read More. More Serious Eats Recipes. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for SeriousEats.

At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Some of the best examples Single Malt Scotch Whisky. And we have our very own Single Malt Scotch whisky too:. Second fill Sherry cask. There are five whisky categories that you should be aware of:. Single malt whisky — malt whisky from a single distillery Single grain whisky — grain whisky from a single distillery unusual Blended malt whisky — a mixture of malt whiskies from different distilleries Blended grain whisky — a mixture of grain whiskies from different distilleries unusual Blended whisky — a mixture of malt and grain whisky, usually from different distilleries.

The hierarchy of whisky bottling types. If you were alive in the 19th Century you would only have known about blends, single malt as a commercial product and category within the whisky market has only existed for a few decades. By law, to be allowed to be called Scotch Whisky it has to be matured in Scotland in oak casks for at least 3 years Bottled whisky may be a mixture of casks of any age over 3 years Bottles do not have to have an age statement, but if there is one, the age on the label must be the age of the youngest whisky in the mix in completed years A whisky aged 3 years and days is legally still 3 years old Blended Scotch Whisky and Single Malt Scotch Whisky is commonly bottled at ages from 10 to 21 years, but there are also younger and much older ages.

One final bit of knowledge any budding whisky drinker should know about is around maturation Most casks have previously held American bourbon, but also sherry casks from Spain are common. There you have it, a full guide to the difference between Single Malt and Blended Scotch whisky as well as a load of context to put into perspective why the two spirits exist and the various quirks around their production and legalities.

In case you want to try a grain whisky, we have bottled one of those too:. Port Dundas. First Fill Bourbon Barrel. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings. You might be interested in. August 31, July 14, April 7, The reality today is that a more educated consumer base is appreciating each type of Scotch whisky for its strengths.

Gunn, who works with both blends and malts for Diageo, says his first drink was Lagavulin 16, but he quickly came to enjoy blends. He sees equal opportunity for greatness in both. Bell thinks people are coming around to that idea. Flavors really evolve around blending style and cask types used. For one thing, malts tend to be significantly more expensive, sometimes two or three fold.

Malts are, generally, better for drinking neat, savoring, making a special moment. Malts offer a sense of place, a connection to a heritage. Gunn is less willing to admit those differences.