By Discount Liquor

Scotch – A Special Kind Of Whisky

Jun 6, 2022 | 12:58 PM

“The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Pattison Media and this site.”

Paint a picture in your mind.

You are in a den or study decorated with leather furniture and rich, deep mahogany furniture. A gentleman sits in a high back leather chair, wearing a monogramed robe and slippers. On the end table beside him, a box of cigars worth the better part of my annual salary. And in his hand? A crystal glass partially filled with an amber liquid called scotch.

Whether it is the existence of exclusive gentleman’s scotch clubs and societies, or perceptions created by Hollywood movies, scotch has a perception of being a high society drink shared by millionaires, but this doesn’t need to be the case. Though there are bottles of high end scotches that can run into the thousands to purchase, there are a number of quality scotches that are available for much less. There are highly reviewed scotches available in Saskatchewan starting in the $30 to $35 dollar range, though most popular brands are in the $50 to $75 price range. Some blends available through SLGA retail for over $600 a bottle, though the majority are between $50 and $150.

So just what makes scotch different from other kinds of whiskey? Any whisky distilled in Scotland – and only whisky distilled in Scotland – is referred to as Scotch Whisky. The main difference in scotch compared to rye or bourbon is the grain used for the distilling mash. Where rye usually uses cereal grains and bourbon uses corn, scotch uses barley as the base grain for distilling. The earliest surviving written record of distilled spirits made in Scotland dates back to 1494, though the process was likely well established by that time. Since then, factors such as taxation, droughts, and American prohibition have affected the overall process of making scotch, but the two main defining factors – distilled in Scotland and use of barley mash – have remained the same.

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In 2009, Scottish parliament passed the Scotch Whisky Regulations to define and regulate the production of scotch. As a result, all whiskys produced in Scotland must meet the following standards:

– Must be bottled at a minimum strength of 40% alcohol

– Is produced at a distillery in Scotland using only water, barley, yeast, and other cereal grains depending on the type of scotch

– Must be aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels (though many common brands are aged between 12 and 21 years)

– Flavor, color and aroma cannot be artificially altered after distillation is complete

The Scotch Whiskey Regulations also define 5 separate types of scotch, as well as 5 distinct distilling regions based on the unique flavors of the scotch coming from those regions. First we will look at the types of scotch. Most of us have, at some point, been watching a TV show and heard someone say single malt scotch. But what does that mean? Here are the 5 types of scotch:

– Single Malt – Scotch that has been distilled at a single location using a pot still and a mash exclusively from barley. ‘Double Malt’ is a term also used sometimes, but it is an incorrect term. A ‘double-malted’ scotch is a single malt that has ben aged in two different types of barrels.

– Single Grain – Scotch that has been distilled at a single location using a blend of barley and other cereal grains. Instead of a pot still, single grain scotches use a column still similar to rye whiskeys.

– Blended Malt – a blend of two or more single malt scotches produced in different distilleries

– Blended Grain – a blend of two or more single grain scotches from different distilleries

– Blended Scotch – a blend of one or more single malt scotches and one or more single grain scotches. This category makes up about 90% of all scotch produced, and includes brands such as Johnny Walker, Chivas Regal, and Ballantine’s. In the case of all blended scotches, the age on the label (8 year, 12 year, etc.) refers to the youngest scotch used in the blend.

Lastly, the flavor of Scotch is determined in large part by the region in which it is distilled. Whether it is the characteristics of the grains produced, or the materials used for aging, each region has a slightly different overall taste profile.

– The Lowlands – geographically, this refers to the southern third of the country. As of 2019 there were 18 distilleries in operation, including Auchentoshan and Bladnoch. This is also the region that is home to the original Johnnie Walker distillery from the early 1800s. Scotches produced here are described as soft and smooth, with a floral aroma and a sweeter finish.

– Campbeltown – a small town and peninsula in southwestern Scotland that was once home to over 30 distilleries, only three of which are still operating. The most notable of these is Springbank – Scotch produced here is described as having a sweet and smoky flavor profile.

– Speyside – Once part of the highlands region, it has been classified as its own region since 2014 due to the number of distilleries in the watershed of the River Spey. Well known distilleries from here include Macallan, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Cardhu, and Dalwhinnie. Speyside scotches are described as having a fruity and spicy finish

– The Highlands – The largest region in both area and production. There are over 30 distilleries in the mainland highlands region, with another 15 in the northern islands that some consider to be a separate region. Well known Highland labels include Dalmore, Oban, Highland Park and Talisker. Highlands scotches generally have a spicy, malty finish.

– Islay – Islay is an island located north west of the Campbeltown region and is home to nine active distilleries including Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Bowmore, the oldest active scotch distillery having opened in 1779. Islay scotches are unique in the peat flavor of their scotch, as the fires used to heat the whisky in the distilling process use peat as a fuel rather than wood due to a lack of forested area on the island.

So there you have it….your basic primer on scotch whisky. So whether you are looking for a single malt on the rocks or a blended scotch mixed with water or soda, you can choose a scotch with a little more knowledge. And what better way to treat dad this year for Father’s Day, as Discount Liquor has all in house scotches available at 10% off for the month of June. So treat your dad….or yourself. Don’t worry….we will never know…