An Introduction to Single Malt Scotch

The world of scotch whisky can be intimidating. There are so many out there, and there is much more to the differences than just the distillery names. Anyone finding themselves in the scotch isle of a reasonably well stocked liquor store without knowing much about those differences would be understandably overwhelmed.

Part of the selection at the Albanach Whisky Bar, Edinburgh, Scotland

Since many friends know of my passion for this particular drink, I get asked for advice or recommendations. Once I started to feel like I was repeating myself, I decided to write up a "primer" of sorts for anyone who might be interested. This isn't meant to be the be-all and end-all advice on the subject, and I'm no scotch authority. I do, however, really enjoy single malt scotch and love to talk about it at almost any drop of a hat. If you have no interest in the subject, this blog post is not for you! If you're even just curious, though, please read on. After reading this, feel free to let me know if you have questions or comments. Just remember that this is not meant to be definitive. It's simply intended as helpful information for anyone curious about single malt scotch. 

In my opinion, single malt scotch is far superior (in many respects) to blended scotch. Blended scotch is just that, blended from two or more scotch varieties/distilleries. If you try a blend that you like, find out what major single malts went into it and at least one of those will turn out to be what you really like about the blend. They've just diluted that special single malt with other scotch! For this and other reasons, I'm not a big fan of blends. In my opinion, once you've had good single malt scotch, no blend can measure up. The one undeniable advantage with blends is that they are usually much less expensive than single malts.

A shot of our liquor hutch - December 2020

 The word "single" implies that the whisky (no "e") came from a single distillery. The word "malt" means that the whisky was distilled from malted barley. Factors that can influence the flavor include what water used in the distillation process, the kind of peat used in kilning the barley, the variety of barley itself, the type(s) of cask(s) in which the whisky was matured, and the length of maturation. To qualify as a single malt, the whisky has to mature for at least 3 years. Most, however, mature for at least 8 years, and the average is actually 12. Most scotch is matured in oak casks that formerly held bourbon. Some is "finished" (the last 3-12 months of its maturation) in more unique casks such as those formerly used for sherry or port. Scotch ages only in the cask, not in the bottle. Once it's bottled, it's done aging.

Lowland whiskies are generally good places to get on board with single malts, although they may not be as readily available in some markets. These are often fairly mild and delicate; interesting without being overwhelming to the senses. My favorite Lowland single malt comes from the Auchentoshan distillery. Glenkinchie is another name that I can easily recommend. I had the pleasure of visiting the Glenkinchie distillery just outside of Edinburgh the last time we visited Scotland.

Yours truly at the Glenkinchie Distillery, East Lothian, Scotland

Whisky map of Scotland, courtesy Wikipedia (click to enlarge)

My usual recommendations for getting started with scotch, though, are the Highland and Speyside malts. This is the largest region of Scotland and include the majority of its distilleries. The Speyside region is in the northeast Highlands and all whiskies labeled as such derive their water from the River Spey. The two most popular names in single malt scotch - Glenlivit and Glenfiddich - are both from the Speyside region. They are the most popular for good reason, but that doesn't mean that they're the "best". It would be difficult to name only one or two of my personal favorites from this region, so I'll try to boil it down to a few. These would have to be Balvenie, Macallan, and Glenfarclas. As far as Highland malts go, I am very partial to almost anything in the Glenmorangie line.

An exquisite 18 year old Macallan, a gift from my mother-in-law

A sampler of 200 ml bottles from various scotch regions -- a great (and relatively inexpensive) way to narrow down what region of whisky might be to your liking.

 

The rather unique Talisker, from the Isle of Skye

Things get more adventurous as you head toward the coastal regions and islands of Scotland. Those whiskies can often be strong and peaty and/or smokey. (Flavors and aromas imparted in the grain kilning process.) In the far north, only two distilleries exist on the Orkney Islands, Scapa and Highland Park. Both are excellent, although I would recommend Highland Park more strongly. Further down the west coast is Talisker from the Isle of Skye, which is about as close to a perfect single malt scotch as you may be able to find! Finally, the Isle of Islay is known for some of the most smoky and peaty scotch in existence. Again, these aren't necessarily the kinds of scotch you want to start with, but they are likely to become all-time favorites once you develop the palette for them. Without a doubt, my top recommendation here would be Lagavulin, followed closely by Ardbeg.

A glance at the Islay malts from the Albanach Whisky Bar, Edinburgh

An honorable mention should go to the Springbank distillery in the Campbeltown region. In fact, some would argue that "honorable mention" does not do that whisky justice. It's a gorgeous single malt, and you could do far worse than to pick up a bottle.

A gorgeous Claret-casked Springbank expression

Feel free to comment below about anything scotch-related that comes to mind, regardless of your level of experience with the stuff. If you've come to this from a link I posted on social media, you're welcome to comment there instead. As weird as it might sound, I love to talk about this stuff.

The Glencairn - an ideal whisky tasting glass

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Somehow, I have developed a real wanderlust for this stuff. When I find myself in a well-stocked liquor store, I will invariably gravitate toward single malts I've never tried before. You know how bird watchers have a "life list" of birds that they have seen? Here is my "life list" of single malts that I've had so far:

Highland:

Aberfeldy - aged 12 years

Ardmore “Peated” - age unknown

Balblair (v1997) - aged 10 years (?)

Cardhu - aged 12 years

Clynelish "Coastal Highland" - aged 14 years

Dalmore - aged 12 years

Dalmore / Signatory (v1990) - aged 18 years - bottle 662 of 803

Dalwhinnie - aged 15 years

Dalwhinnie (v2002) Distillers Edition - aged 15 years

Dufftown-Glenlivet / Cadenhead's "Cask Strength" - aged 15 years

Edradour - aged 10 years

Edradour "Caledonia" - aged 12 years

Glen Deveron (v1985) - aged 12 years

Glen Garioch - aged 8 years

Glen Garioch - aged 10 years

Glen Garioch - aged 12 years

Glenglassaugh “Revival” (the first expression distilled after the revival of the distillery in 2008) - age unknown, but likely 8 years

Glenglassaugh “Torfa” - “Richly Peated” - age unknown, but likely 8 years

Glengoyne - aged 10 years

Glengoyne - aged 12 years

Glengoyne "Scottish Oak" - aged 16 years

Glengoyne - aged 17 years

Glenkeith - aged 10 years

Glenmorangie - aged 10 years

Glenmorangie "Sherry Wood Finish" - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie "Port Wood Finish" - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie "Madeira Wood Finish" - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie "Burgundy Wood Finish" - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie “Nectar D’Or” (Sauturnes finish)- age unknown, 12?

Glenmorangie “Quinta Ruban” (Port finish) - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie "The Lasanta" - aged 12 years

Glenmorangie “Tùsail” Maris Otter Barley - age unknown

Glenmorangie “Quinta Ruban” (Port finish) - aged 14 years

Glenmorangie "Rare Malt" - aged 15 years

Glenmorangie "Rare Malt" - aged 18 years

Glenmorangie "Extremely Rare" - aged 18 years

Glen Ord - aged 12 years (750ml, 200ml)

Glentromie - aged 12 years

Oban - aged 14 years

Oban Distillers Edition (v1995) - aged 14 years

Old Fettercairn - aged 10 years

Old Pulteney - aged 12 years

Old Pulteney - aged 15 years

Old Pulteney - aged 17 years

Royal Brackla / Cawdor Estate - aged 12 years

Royal Lochnagar - aged 12 years

Royal Lochnagar / Signatory (v1991) - aged 16 years - bottle 365 of 762

The Speyside - aged 10 years (claims to be a Highland malt, distillery in Glasgow)

Tomatin - aged 12 years

Tomatin “Bourbon & Sherry Casks” - aged 12 years

Tomatin Dualchas “Bourbon & Virgin Oak Casks” age unknown

Tullibardine (v1993)

Speyside:

Aberlour - aged 10 years

Aberlour "a'bunadh" (Oloroso finish) - aged 10-15 years

Aberlour “Sherry Wood Finish” - aged 15 years

Aberlour “Double Cask Matured” - aged 16 years

Aberlour - aged 18 years

Aberlour - aged 21 years

Aultmore of the Foggie Moss - aged 12 years

Balvenie "Founders Reserve" - aged 10 years

Balvenie "DoubleWood" (Sherry finish) - aged 12 years

Balvenie “American Oak” - aged 12 years

Balvenie “Caribbean Cask” (Rum finish) - aged 14 years

Balvenie “Peat Week” (v2002) - aged 14 years

Balvenie “Peat Week” (v2003) - aged 14 years

Balvenie "Single Barrel" - aged 15 years

Balvenie “DoubleWood” (Sherry finish) - aged 17 years

Balvenie "Port Wood" (Port finish) - aged 21 years

BenRiach - aged 10 years

BenRiach - aged 20 years

Benromach / Glenlivet - aged 12 years

Benromach - aged 15 years

Cragganmore - aged 12 years

Cragganmore “Distillers Edition” (v1992) - aged unknown

Craigellachie- aged 13 years

Deerstalker "Balmenach" - aged 12 years

Glendronach (Sherry finish) - aged 15 years

Glenfarclas - aged 10 years

Glenfarclas - aged 12 years

Glenfarclas - aged 17 years

Glenfiddich "Special Reserve" - aged 12 years

Glenfiddich “Solera Vat” - aged 15 years

Glenfiddich “Small Batch Reserve” - aged 18 years

Glen Grant - aged 10 years

Glen Grant - aged 12 years

Glenlivet - aged 12 years

Glenlivet - "French Oak Reserve" - aged 15 years

Glenlivet - "Nadurra" - aged 16 years

Glen Moray "Classic" - age unknown 

Glen Moray Sherry cask finish - age unknown 

Glen Moray Chardonnay cask finish - age unknown 

Glen Moray Port cask finish - age unknown 

Glen Moray "Peated Single Malt" - age unknown 

Glen Moray - aged 12 years

Glen Moray - aged 16 years

Glenrothes (v1982) - aged 15 years

Glenrothes (v1992) - aged 12 years

Glenrothes "Select Reserve" - aged ...

Glenrothes (v1998) - aged 12 years (100 mL)

Glenrothes (v2001) - aged 12 years (100 mL)

King’s Falcon “Bourbon Cask Finish” - age unknown

Knockando - aged 12 years

Lismore - age unknown

Longmorn - aged 16 years

Macallan "Cask Strength" - age unknown

Macallan - aged 12 years

Macallan "Fine Oak" - aged 15 years

Macallan - aged 18 years

Macallan - aged 25 years

Mortlach “Wee Witchie” - aged 12 years

Singleton of Glendullan - aged 12 years

Singleton of Glendullan - aged 15 years

Speyburn - aged 10 years

Strathisla - aged 12 years

Stronachie (Benrinnes) - aged 12 years

Tamdhu - age unknown

Lowland: 

Auchentoshan "Select" - aged 8 years?

Auchentoshan - aged 10 years

Auchentoshan "Three Wood" - aged 12 years

Glenkinchie - aged 10 years

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition (v2000) - aged 14 years

Rosebank / Signatory "Cask Strength" (v1990) - aged 15 years - bottle 196 of 285

Campbeltown: 

Hazelburn "Triple Distilled" - aged 8 years 

Longrow - aged 10 years 

Springbank - aged 10 years

Springbank / Blackadder (v1991) - aged 10 years - one of 382 bottles

Springbank - aged 12 years

Springbank "Claret Casked" (v1997) - aged 12 years

Islands:

Ardbeg - aged 10 years - Islay

Ardbeg “Airigh Nam Beist” (v1990) - aged 16 years - Islay

Ardbeg “Corryvreckan” cask strength - age unknown - Islay

Ardbeg "Uigaedail" - vatted - Islay

Ardbeg - aged 17 years - Islay

Ardbeg “Limited Distillery Pack” - aged 10 years

Arran - aged 10 years - Arran

Arran "Robert Burns Edition" - age unknown - Arran

Arran - “Cask Strength” - aged 12 years - Arran

Bowmore "Legend" - aged 8 years? - Islay

Bowmore - aged 12 years - Islay

Bowmore - "Cask Strength" - Islay

Bowmore "Dawn" (Ruby Port casked) - Islay

Bowmore "Darkest" (Sherry casked) - aged 15 years - Islay 

Bowmore "Dusk" (Claret/Bordeaux casked) - Islay

Bowmore "Mariner" - aged 15 years - Islay

Bowmore - aged 17 years - Islay

Bowmore - aged 21 years - Islay

Bruichladdich - aged 10 years - Islay

Bruichladdich “Rocks” - age unknown - Islay

Bruichladdich/Port Charlotte 'Scottish Barley' - age unknown - Islay

Bruichladdich/Port Charlotte ‘Islay Barley’ - age unknown - Islay

Bunnahabhain - aged 12 years - Islay

Bunnahabhain - aged 18 years - Islay

Caol Ila - aged 12 years - Islay

Caol Ila - aged 18 years - Islay

Highland Park “Magnus” - age unknown 

Highland Park - aged 12 years - Orkney

Highland Park - aged 15 years - Orkney

Highland Park - aged 18 years - Orkney

Jura "Superstition" - age unknown - Jura

Jura - aged 10 years - Jura

Jura 'Diurach's Own' - aged 16 years - Jura

Jura - aged 18 years - Jura

Kilchoman "Machir Bay" (vatted malt) - aged 3-5 years - Islay

Kilchoman v2007 - aged 6 years - Islay

Lagavulin - aged 8 years - Islay

Lagavulin - aged 16 years - Islay

Lagavulin Distillers Edition v2000 - aged 16 years - Islay

Laphroaig Quarter Cask (Sherry finish) - age unknown - Islay

Laphroaig - aged 10 years - Islay

Laphroaig - aged 15 years - Islay

Laphroaig 'Cairdeas' Amontillado finish - aged 8 years - Islay

Ledaig “Sherry Finish” - aged 10 years? - Mull

Ledaig - aged 15 years - Mull

Ledaig - aged 20 years - Mull

Scapa - aged 12 years - Orkney

Scapa - aged 14 years - Orkney

Scapa - aged 16 years - Orkney

Talisker - aged 10 years - Skye

Talisker “Storm” (vatted Malt?) - age unknown - Skye

Talisker Distillers Edition - age unknown - Skye

Talisker - aged 18 years - Skye

Tobermory - aged 10 years - Mull

Torabhaig 2017 “Legacy Series / Inaugural Release” - age unknown - Skye

Mini Bottles: 

Aberlour 10

Arran 10

Arran 12 Cask Strangth

Arran 14

Balvenie 12, Doublewood

Balvenie 15, Single Barrel

Balvenie 21, Port Wood

Bowmore Legend

Bowmore 12

Bowmore 15, Mariner

Bowmore 17

Bowmore 21

Caol Ila 12 (200mL)

Clynelish 14 (200mL)

Cragganmore 12

Cragganmore 12 (200mL)

Edradour 10

Edradour 12 'Caledonia'

Glen Deveron 12

Glenfiddich "Special Reserve"

Glengoyne 10

Glengoyne 15

Glengoyne 18

Glenmorangie 12, Sherry Wood

Glenmorangie 12, Madeira Wood

Glenmorangie 12, Port Wood

Glenrothes "Select Reserve"

Glenrothes 1998

Glenrothes 2001

Highland Park 12

Lagavulin 16

Lagavulin 16 (200mL)

Longrow peated

Oban 14

Springbank 10

Talisker 

Talisker 10 (200mL)

*200mL bottles from ‘Classic Malts Collection’ boxed sets

Miscellaneous: 

Armorik Whisky Breton Single Malt - France

Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey - aged 10 years

Clontarf Classic, Reserve, and Single Malt Irish Whiskeys

Door County Distillery Single Malt Whisky

Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey (v1994)

North of Scotland Single Grain Malt - Scott's Independent bottlers (v1963)

Port Dundas (Glasgow) Single Grain Malt - aged 12 years

Port Dundas (Glasgow) Single Grain Malt - aged 18 years

 

In December of 2012, I started the text above as a "Note" on Facebook. As time went on, I edited various things, added a chart, and updated the 'life list' at the bottom. Fast forward to December of 2020 and Facebook has all but eliminated their "Notes" section, so I decided to copy this over to this blog, where perhaps it should have been all along. Of course, I have updated this numerous times since 2012.