Whisky Varieties | Single Malt, Blended Whisky, Grain Whisky and more
Carsten ObliersTable of contents:
Scotch Whisky is a type of whisky made in Scotland. It is made from grain, water and yeast and must be aged for at least three years in oak barrels within the borders of Scotland. Scotch Whisky is known for its unique taste and aroma, which is influenced by the ingredients used, the production process and the aging process.
The different types of Scotch whiskey
There are different types of Scotch whiskey including single malt whiskey, blended whiskey and grain whiskey. Each variety has its own characteristics and manufacturing process, and we will explain all the details to you.
Single malt whiskey
Single malt whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and distilled in a single distillery.
Barley is first soaked in water to allow it to germinate or sprout. After germination, the barley is dried. After drying, the barley is ground into a fine powder and mixed with water to form a mash. The mash is then fermented with yeast, producing a liquid called wash. The mash is then distilled in a copper still to produce the final product, which is then aged in oak barrels for at least three years.
Single malt whiskey is known for its complex flavors and aromas, which depend on the type of barley used, the water used, the yeast used, the peat that may have been used to dry the barley, the length of the fermentation process and the type used for maturation Oak barrels are influenced. Single malt whiskey can vary greatly in taste and aroma, some are sweet and fruity, others more spicy and smoky.
Blended whiskey
Whiskey is made from a combination of single malt whiskey and grain whiskey. The single malt whiskey provides the complex flavors and aromas, while the grain whiskey helps to soften the taste and reduce production costs.
Blended whiskey is usually made by combining single malt whiskey from different distilleries and grain whiskey made from corn, wheat or other grains.
Blended whiskey is known for its smooth, balanced flavor and is often more approachable than single malt whiskey. Due to the addition of grain whiskey, it is usually cheaper than single malt whiskey.
Blended malt whiskey | Vatted Malt | Pure malt whiskey
In contrast to blended whiskey, which is made from a mixture of single malt whiskey and grain whiskey, blended malt whiskey is made exclusively from a combination of single malt whiskey from different distilleries and does not contain any grain whiskey.
Blended malt whiskey is a relatively new category of Scotch whiskey and is often considered a higher quality option compared to blended whiskey. It offers a unique flavor profile and is a good choice for whiskey drinkers who want to experience the complexity and diversity of single malt whiskey without having to try multiple single malts from different distilleries.
Grain whiskey
Grain whiskey, which translates as grain whiskey, is made from grains other than barley, such as: B. from corn, wheat or rye.It is typically made in column stills, which allow for a more efficient production process than the use of pot stills used to make single malt whiskey. Grain whiskey is often used to make blended whiskey to create a smooth, consistent base.
Grain whiskey tends to be lighter in flavor and aroma compared to single malt whiskey and is known for its smooth, easy-drinking character. It is also usually cheaper than single malt whiskey because grains other than barley are used and the production process is more efficient.
Single grain whiskey
Single Grain Whiskey is a grain whiskey produced in a single distillery. It is usually made in a column still and is often lighter in taste and aroma compared to single malt whiskey.
Grain whiskey is produced in many countries around the world, including Scotland. In Scotland, single grain whiskey is simply referred to as "single grain whisky". However, in other countries, single grain whiskey may be referred to by different names depending on local regulations and naming conventions.
For example, in the United States and Canada, single grain whiskey is referred to as "corn whiskey", "wheat whiskey" or "rye whiskey", depending on which grains are primarily used for production become.
It should be noted that production and labeling regulations for single grain whiskey vary from country to country, and it is important to familiarize yourself with the local regulations in each region in order to correctly interpret the specific naming conventions for single grain whiskey.
Blended grain whiskey
In contrast to single grain whiskey, blended grain whiskey is made from a mixture of single grain whiskeys (keep in mind that each single grain whiskey can be produced from different grains) from several distilleries.
Blended grain whiskey is often used to make blended whiskey to create a consistent base and round out the flavor. In practice, this whiskey category is a true niche product and not many blended grain whiskeys find their way into a separate bottling.
The differences between single malt whiskey and single grain whiskey
The main difference between single grain and single malt is that single malts can only be made from malted barley. Single Grain Scotch Whiskey, on the other hand, is made by a single distillery using barley, rye, wheat and corn, which can be malted or unmalted. The term "Single" refers to the distillery and not the number of grains used. A single grain whiskey can certainly use several different types of grain in its production.
The differences between single grain whiskey and blended grain whiskey
The main difference between single grain whiskey and blended grain whiskey is that single grain whiskey is made from one or more grains in a single distillery, while blended grain whiskey is a blend of single grain whiskeys from multiple distilleries and blended with other whiskeys can.
Single Cask Whiskey | Single Barrel Whiskey
Single Cask Whiskey, also known as Single Barrel Whiskey, is a type of Scotch whiskey that is bottled directly from a single oak barrel and is not blended with whiskey from other barrels. Each cask of single cask whiskey is unique and has its own taste and aroma characteristics, influenced by the type of oak used, the length of maturation and storage conditions.
One of the main advantages of single cask whiskey is that it gives the drinker the opportunity to experience the full range of flavors and aromas that a particular cask has to offer. Since it is not mixed with whiskey from other casks, the flavors and aromas of single cask whiskey are more pronounced and distinctive than simple single malt whiskeys, some of which are made from hundreds of casks from a distillery, or even blended whiskeys made from casks mix from different distilleries.
Single cask whiskeys are logically made in small batches and are often only available on the market for a short time. The number of bottles filled often varies between 50 and 700 bottles, depending on what type of barrel was used for production. This often makes single cask whiskeys very sought after items by whiskey collectors.
Cask Strength Whiskey | Cask strength whiskey
Single-cask whiskey is typically bottled at cask strength, which refers to the alcohol content (ABV) of the whiskey when it comes straight from the cask. Cask strength can vary greatly depending on the type of whiskey, the length of aging and the storage conditions.
Bottling whiskey from a single cask strength cask allows the drinker to experience the full range of flavors and aromas that each cask has to offer. In addition, the whiskey retains its character and authenticity as it has not been diluted or altered in any way.
However, it is important to note that not all single cask whiskeys are bottled at cask strength. Some single-cask whiskeys may be diluted with water to reduce the alcohol content to a level more comfortable for some drinkers. This is usually done to make the whiskey more accessible and easier to drink.
