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The world of whisky is a complex one. You have different kinds of scotch, bourbon, rye, with each category having its own sub-category based on region, ingredients and distillation process. Take scotch for instance. Crafted exclusively in Scotland, this legendary spirit, which is tailor-made for a seasoned palette, has two major sub-categories — single-malt and blended. Whisky connoisseurs are well-versed with the difference between the two spirits by now, and can usually identify the usquebaugh by a single sip. However, if you’re starting on your whisky journey and are curious about what differentiates the two and, most significantly, wondering which one is tastier — we’ve got you covered.
Single malt scotch whisky vs blended scotch whisky — What’s the difference?
To begin with, single malt scotch is a legally protected category of spirit, which means that it has to adhere to certain production requirements. The foremost of these is that the spirit is produced in Scotland by a single distillery. It must also be made from a fermented mash of malted barley with no other grains, and distilled exclusively in copper pot stills. This category of scotch also requires a minimum ageing period of three years, which must be done in oak casks.
In terms of barrels, single malt scotch is usually aged in oak barrels that were formerly used to age wine or other spirits, but some distillers also experiment with ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks. The liquid which was used in these casks before plays an important role in determining the flavour and aroma of the finished whisky. The combination use of pots and barrels in the maturation process also lends the usquebaugh its velvety texture and complex flavour profile.
Blended scotch whiskies are created by combining a number of single malt whiskies with grain whisky, which can be produced from any type of cereal grain — corn or wheat mixed with some malted barley. The grain whisky is distilled in a column, making its production more efficient and affordable. Considering that this “lighter” process doesn’t provide the necessary punch to the resulting liquid, the latter is blended with a rich, flavorful single malt whisky for this purpose.
The region has a more specific role to play in the production of single-malt scotch — whiskies from The Highlands, Speyside, The Lowlands, Campbeltown and Islay each have their own specific taste — as compared to the distillation process of blended scotch, where distillers have the flexibility of picking single malts from anywhere in the country.
Considering its extensive and exclusive distillation process — which includes the spirit being produced in a single distillery — single malt scotch like Aberlour, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg and more, tend to be more expensive. Some popular blended scotch bottles that are favoured among Indian consumers are Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s and Chivas.
Although single malt scotch is touted as the most sought-after style of scotch whisky, blended scotch whiskies are the ones that are more widely produced, exported and consumed. This all comes down to the time, cost and energy involved in the distillation process for each — with the easier one in place for blended scotch making it possible to produce larger quantities of blended scotch at affordable rates.