“What makes Scotch Whisky so Very Special?.”
Scotch whisky is one of the world’s most revered drinks, with a centuries-old history, a varied range of styles, and an exceptionally passionate fan base. But what exactly makes Scotch whisky so very special?
The answer lies primarily in the land and the people of Scotland and the traditions, processes and ingredients that have been perfected over the centuries through trial and error. Scotch whisky is made from malted barley, water, yeast, and other cereals depending on the style – such as wheat, rye and oats. All of these elements combine to create a unique spirit that is enjoyed by millions all around the world.
The Scottish climate is vital for producing whisky and the peaty water, used to produce some of the more strongly flavoured styles, is drawn from the boggy soil in the Highlands. This peat smoke imparts a distinct smokiness to certain whiskies and is quite divisive among whisky drinkers. While some love it and some hate it, it’s an iconic flavour that is synonymous with Scotch whisky.
The distillation process is also crucial to creating the flavours and reputation of Scotch whisky. As the product of centuries of finessing, they distillers of Scotland have created some of the most exacting processes in the world. Whisky is distilled twice, once in a stout ‘wash’ still, which removes most of the undesired congeners (non-alcohol substances); and secondly, a more refined spirit still, which concentrates the alcohol and brings out the desirable flavors of the whisky. This second depending on the style of whisky, such as single malt, blended malt, blended grain and blended whisky.
The rules and regulations around the production of Scotch whisky are also quite strict. To be legally considered Scotch whisky, it must have been distilled, aged and bottled in Scotland. Whiskies must be aged for a minimum of three years, with single malt Scotch requiring at least eight years. It must also be made from water and malted barley alone and must be bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV.
These uncompromising parameters for production have earned Scotch whisky its incredible reputation as one of the world’s finest spirits. Its revered status amongst whisky drinkers and its status as a premium drinks industry is thanks to Scotland’s dedication to whisky standards and a decades-long tradition of honing its production process. From the single malts of Speyside to the peaty drams of Islay to the blended whiskies of the Lowlands, Scotch whisky has something for everyone, and will continue to be revered for many years to come.