When whisky is aged in oak barrels, a number of variables influence the final character of the spirit. A full discussion of these variables is beyond the scope of this article, but they include climate variations, where a barrel ages within its warehouse, and even variables in the quality of the oak used to make the barrels.
Because so many variables influence the character of a barrel of whisky, nearly all whiskies on the market today are made by mixing barrels together to achieve a product that's consistent from one release to the next. A master blender at the distillery tastes through the barrels that are ready for release and mixes them to create a product consistent with the brand's flavor profile.
Not every barrel produced at, say, Springbank or Glenmorangie will exactly fit the house style that consumers expect. To achieve that house style, then, requires a blend of whiskies from many barrels. A single-barrel scotch is the product of a single barrel of whisky, unmixed with whisky from other sources. Because the flavor, aroma, color, and other characteristics vary from barrel to barrel, each barrel release is a unique product.
Single-barrel releases are therefore inconsistent from one release to the next. Not many of these exist in the scotch universe they're much more common in American whiskeys , but Balvenie has a couple of them available. So we've established that single malts are usually produced by blending whiskies from different barrels produced within a single distillery. What about all these other blends we hear about? There are three types you'll encounter:.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. 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, More from the blog. October 24, October 23, What it means to be an indie bottler — a update.
October 20, I want to know in short the difference and according to superiority Which one stands first Single malt Malt Blended Premium Reply. Follow greatdrams. Latest whisky. Sign up to the awesome GreatDrams Whisky Subscription.
Remember Me. Log In. Lost your password? Don't have an account? 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.
Bell thinks consumers are being more open to new experiences and more adventurous with their whisky choices. I think the highball movement going on right now is a great thing and leads consumers to be more creative with their whisky, both in the bar and mixing at home. In fact, more than three-quarters of Scottish whisky is blended. There are lesser-known categories between these two pillars, too.
0コメント