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A Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a whisky that is the product of a single distillery which has been matured for a minimum period of three years in oak casks, however most single malts are matured for much longer. Many people assume that a single malt whisky comes from a single batch or barrel of whisky, but that’s not true. The reason whiskies from many barrels are mixed is to provide consistency of flavour, matching a distillery’s “house style.”

Single cask whiskies, as the name suggests, come from a single cask. This results in a more distinct and less-consistent flavour than what you’d normally expect from the distiller. The casks used in the distilling process for scotch are wooden barrels that were previously used to age other spirits (typically bourbon or sherry, but sometimes port or rum). While the mixing of whiskies in single malt production is meant to diminish the distinctions of an individual cask, single cask bottles are intended to take on the cask’s unique flavour.

Cask strength whiskies are distilled in the same manner as single cask whiskies. But, unlike single cask whiskies – and, indeed, every other type of whisky on this list – they’re not diluted with water after being drained from the cask. This results in a much stronger flavour, as well as a higher alcohol content. While you’d expect a single malt or single cask whisky to be between 40% and 50% ABV (by law, a scotch whisky is a 40% ABV minimum), a cask strength bottle might be as much as 60% or 70% ABV.

Speyside

Key Facts: Most densely populated Whisky region in the world. Home to more than half of Scotland’s distilleries. Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Macallan constitute 1/3rd of the total single malt market in Scotland. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, launched in 1999 is one of the largest whisky oriented festival in the world with a programme of more than 700 whisky-inspired events over 6 days. Fore more info – www.spiritofspeyside.com

Location: Found along the River Spey and located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Taste: Smooth and refined – The whiskies are often full of fruity, nutty flavours, and tend to be less peaty in character than other scotch whiskies.

Typical Flavours: Apple, Pear, Honey, Floral, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Cereal

Highland

Key Facts: Largest single malt whisky region in the world in terms of area and production.

Location: The region covers most of the Scottish mainland north of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Taste: To the North there are full bodied single malts, rich and sweet in character, such as the Dalmore whiskies.
To the South there are lighter and fruity whiskeys, such as Aberfeldy
To the east whsikies range from dry to sweetish, and from herbal to very fruity.
The Western Highlands offer full body with a peaty punch, and the coast has an influence on those whiskies.

Typical Flavours: Fruitcake, Malt, Oak, Heather, Dried fruit, Subtle smoke

Lowland

Key Facts: 2nd biggest whisky region in Scotland in terms of area. Unlike other regions, all whiskies produced in this region used to be TRIPLE distilled whereas as other distilleries double distil their whisky. Auchentoshan is now the ONLY whisky which is triple distilled.

Location: Southernmost parts of Scotland, covering much of the Central Belt and the South of Scotland including Edinburgh & The Lothians, Glasgow & The Clyde Valley, the Kingdom of Fife, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

Taste: Soft and smooth malts are characteristic of this region. The whiskies are often lighter in character and perfect for pre-dinner drinks.

Typical Flavours: Grass, Honeysuckle, Cream, Toffee, Toast, Cinnamon, Ginger

Islay

Key Facts: Islay (pronounced EYE-LUH) is a magical island where the majority of its population are involved in whisky production. Islay is the 5th largest Scottish island and the 8th largest island of the British Isles. It has over 3,000 inhabitants and the main commercial activities are agriculture, malt whisky distillation.Famous for its smoky taste. Currently home to 8 distilleries.

Location: Southernmost of the Inner Hebridean islands, off the west coast of Scotland.

Taste: Smoky – Fiery, heavily peated whiskies.

Typical Flavours: Seaweed, Brine, Apple, Smoke, Vegetal, Boggy, Iodine, Medicinal, Charcoal

Campbeltown

Key Facts: In the Victorian times, it was nicknamed as the “Whisky Metropolis” or “Whisky Capital of the world”. Campbeltown once thrived due to its deep natural harbour, raw materials and easy access to the ocean and therefore export markets. After World War 1, a combination of dreadful factors led to the end of whisky making in this region. It used to house 34 distilleries in such a small area but now only 3 single malt whisky distilleries remain working.

Location: West coast of Scotland at the tip of a peninsula between Arran, Islay and Northern Ireland.

Taste: Unique taste giving off salt, sweetness, smoke with flavours of vanilla and fruit all at once.

Typical Flavours: Brine, Smoke, Dried Fruit, Vanilla, Toffee, Marine, Light peat

The Islands

Key Facts: The Islands is not a official region categorized by the Scottish whisky association however, certain restaurants, bars and liquor stores do categorize “The Islands” whisky . There are more than 800 islands stretching over Scotland’s coastline many of which are uninhabited. There are few whisky distilleries scattered like Arran, Jura, Highland Park and Talisker. Talisker is the biggest distillery on the Isle of Skye which is a big tourist destination.

Location: Islands around the perimeter of the Scottish mainland.

Taste: Most of these whiskies are tinged by the salinity of the sea but beyond that, their flavour profiles vary wildly from island to island.

An intensely smoky Talisker from Skye is a far cry from the heather and honey notes of a scotch like Highland Park from Orkney. Other distilleries offer a nutty, malty middle-ground between sweetness and smoke.

Typical Flavours: Citrus, Salty, Sweet, Herbal, Fruit & Nut, Brine, Black Pepper, Honey, Lightly Peated

Cask Type	Wood	Volume	Origin	Typical flavours	Get tasting
BOURBON Common Cask Name: Barrel or Hogshead	American White Oak	Barrel – 180-200 litres Hogshead – 225-250 litres	USA	Coconut, Vanilla, Honey, Caramel, Oak, Leather, Nutmeg, Almond, Butterscotch	Balblair 1997, Glenmorangie Original, Tullibardine The Murray, Tobermory 10 year old, Auchentoshan American Oak
WINE Common Cask Name: Barrel or Barrique	Typically French oak	Barrel – 180-200 litres Barrique – 250-300 litres	Local to each wine region, e.g. Bordeaux, France	Varies according to wine. Sauternes casks has notes of fresh bread, tart au citron, and crème caramel. Bordeaux casks gives red berry, cherry, and plum.	White wine – Arran Sauternes Cask, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or, Glenmorangie 1981 Vintage Red wine – PGlenfiddich Age of Discovery 19 year old, Glen Garioch 1998 15 year old
PORT Common Cask Name: Pipe or Barrique	Usually French oak	Pipe – 550-600 litres Barrique – 200-220 litres	Portugal	Berry fruits, red currant, sultana	Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Laphroaig Brodir, Balvenie PortWood 21 year old, Talisker Port Ruighe
SHERRY Common Cask Name: Butt or Puncheon	Types: Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, Amontillado, Fino, Manzanilla, etc Wood: European or American oak	475-600 litres	Jerez, Spain	Dates, walnut, sultana	Balvenie Double Wood, Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Glenmorangie Lasantha GlenDronach 12
MADEIRA Common Cask Name: Drum	Portuguese oak	600-650 litres	Portugal	Sweet fruits, figs, spice	Laphroaig Carideans 2016, Glenmorangie Bacalta
RUM Common Cask Name: Puncheon	American oak	400-450 litres	Caribbean	Molasses, vanilla, tropical fruits	Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Ardbeg Drum (peated)
BEER Common Cask Name: Barrel	American oak	200 litres	Usually a local brewery	Sweetness, malt, creamy	Glenfiddich IPA Experiment

Please download the PDF document to see the Cask Types

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There are more than 100 single malt distilleries operating in Scotland.

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The information compiled by Barrel Next team is updated and accurate to best of our knowledge; if there is any misinterpretation of facts please reach out to Barrel Next team at info@barrelnext.com.