Single malt and blended whiskey: what's the difference + reading labels
Single malt and blended - what is the difference??
Single malt whiskey is produced 100% from malt alcohol made from sprouted, or malted, barley. Spirits may differ in the year of distillation, the duration of aging, and the types of barrels in which they were aged. The main condition is that all alcohol is produced within one distillery.
Single malt whiskey has a deeper and richer flavor, it is suitable for long-term aging, and it is the drink of choice for true connoisseurs.
Blended whiskey is a mixture of grain and malt spirits from different sources. Sometimes it is a mixture of whiskeys from different producers. During blending, the master smooths out the shortcomings and emphasizes the advantages of alcohols to get a result that is better than these alcohols separately. This is not required for single malt whisky - it is created perfect from the beginning.
Blended whiskey is often sharper and more alcoholic, although there are decent samples in this form as well. Blended whiskey is suitable for beginners and those who like whiskey-based cocktails.
A common misconception is that blended whiskey is worse than single malt
And this is not true. In its pure form, of course, single malt whiskey will be softer, it has a richer aroma and taste, so this is the drink to spend evenings with a book or business meetings with. It is not so good in cocktails anymore.
Many people like whiskey, but do not like to drink strong alcohol in its pure form. In particular, there is a blended whiskey for them - which is boring on its own, but serves as an excellent base for a variety of cocktails.
Classification of whiskey by country
Scotland
Scotland is now the leader in terms of production, so a significant part of the whiskey in stores and boutiques is from there. The word scotch will always be present on the label of a bottle of Scotch whiskey.
One of the important features of scotch is its smokiness, the presence of smoked hues and salinity. All this is due to the peculiarities of production - very often the malt is dried with peat smoke, which gives these characteristics to the drink.
There are 4 main regions in Scotland:
-
Highlands
It has a huge territory, which makes it difficult to unambiguously define the style of this whiskey. Whiskey from here is suitable for lovers of bright fruit flavors.
-
Speyside
Carries two main styles. One is light and elegant, with floral and malt flavors. For example, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet. The second is rich and fruity. For example, Glenfarclas, Balvenie, Macallan.
-
Lowlands
Whiskeys from this region are characterized by lightness, floral and herbal orientation and a pronounced grain flavor. Here whiskeys have no smoked nuances.
-
Islands: Islay, Arran, Jura, Skye, Orkney Islands, Mull, and Islay
Most island whiskeys are characterized by salinity, smoked and smoky flavors.
Ireland
This country, along with Scotland, is the ancestor of whiskey production, and ranks second in terms of production.
Irish whiskey is characterized by a certain lightness due to the tradition of triple distillation. In addition, they do not use the method of smoking malt with smoke.
Most often, Irish whiskey has a delicate style, with a predominance of honey, raisins, dried fruits and vanilla in the taste and aroma. This drink is perfect for beginners.
USA
America ranks third in terms of whiskey production. In addition to a well-developed cocktail culture, the country is also famous for one of the most famous categories of whiskey - bourbon. Its distinctive feature is the raw material - corn, which is at least 51%.
In bourbon, shades of corn and popcorn, vanilla and spices are clearly felt. Due to the single distillation, the drink has a spicy and slightly burning taste.
In addition, due to the barrels used, which are heavily burnt from the inside before aging the drink, bourbon does not need to be colored.
Canada
Ranks fourth, combining many traditions of whiskey production.
Canadian whiskey has pronounced fruity and spicy hues, a medium-intense aroma and a dense taste.
A special feature of Canadian whiskey is the Spiced category, which is a blended whiskey produced by adding infusions of various spices and herbs to it. A striking representative of this category is Spicebox.
Japan
Japan ranks fifth in terms of volume, and the country completely copies the production technology from Scotland, often resorting to peat smoking.
The peculiarity of Japanese whiskey is aging in barrels made of local Mizunara oak, which gives the drink tropical fruit flavors in taste and aroma.
Reading whiskey labels
-
Malt
Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley.
-
Single Malt
Made from 100% malt spirits produced by one distillery.
-
Blended malt (Pure malt, vatted malt, blended malt)
Made from 100% malt spirits produced by different distilleries.
-
Grain whisky (Grain whisky, grain)
Made from corn or wheat by single distillation.
-
Blended whisky
Made from a mixture of malt and grain spirits.
-
Standard blend
Blended whiskey with a minimum of 10-15% of malt alcohol and aging of 3 years or more.
-
Premium blend
A blended whiskey with a malt alcohol content of at least 35% and aged for 12 years or more.
-
Single Pot Still
Produced like single malt (Single Malt) within the same distillery, but from a mixture of malted and regular barley.
-
Straight Bourbon
Standard bourbon with a corn content of 51% and aging from 2 years.
-
Tennessee Whiskey (Tennessee whiskey)
Bourbon from Tennessee with mandatory filtration through maple charcoal.
-
Straight Rye
Whiskey made from at least 51% rye.
-
Spiced
Spiced whiskey.
-
Single cask
Whiskey bottled from one specific cask, without being diluted with water or mixed with other spirits.
-
Cask strength, natural strength
Whiskey that has not been diluted with water after bottling from the barrel.
-
Non-Chill-Filtered
Whiskey has not been subjected to cold filtration, which gives it a more intense aroma and flavor.
-
Natural Color
No colorant was used.
-
Double Wood, DoubleTriple Cask
Combined aging of whiskey in two/three types of barrels was used.
-
Finish
After aging in the main barrel, the whiskey was sent for a short additional aging in another type of barrel.
-
Proof
A unit of strength measurement in the UK and the USA. To convert to %vol. American proof must be divided by 2. English - by 1.75.
What country or region is the best whiskey from
It is impossible to say that a certain country produces the best whiskey. Even within the same region, different styles can be observed, and drinks will differ dramatically. Vzboltai offers a small selection of interesting whiskeys from around the world.
Penderyn (Wales)
The whiskeys are rich in floral shades, apple and citrus tones, notes of dried fruit and spicy pastries.
Tomatin (Scotland)
The line includes whiskeys with different ages, up to 30 years. The whisky is soft and drinkable, and its producer is one of the few in Scotland who still makes its own casks for aging.
-
A wide range of different spiced whiskies. Whiskeys with cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla are produced. Pleasant both in its pure form and in flavored cocktails.
The Pogues (Ireland)
Blended and single malt options, as well as whiskey-based honey liqueur are presented. Great for beginners.
Kavalan (Taiwan)
Exotic, but at the same time - excellent whiskey, which was recognized as the best in the world. A wide range of single malt whiskeys aged in different types of casks. The manufacturer sets an export quota for each country.
Redemption (USA)
Premium bourbon, which should become the #1 choice for those who love Jack Daniels but want something more.
Slow Hand (USA)
Single malt organic whiskey, aged simultaneously with 7 types of wood, which gives the drink a rich flavor.
Eddu (France)
France produces not only cognac and wine, but also whiskey, and a special one - based on buckwheat, aged in cognac barrels.
Top 10 brands of single malt whiskey
-
Family brand that produces drinks with a minimum age of 12 years. The maximum reaches 50.
The distillery was founded in 1886. Company motto: "every year counts", the emblem is a deer's head.
The most appreciated is "Glenfiddich Malt Scotch Whisky 18 Y".O.". Good in its pure form.
-
The Scottish company that sold whisky abroad for the first time.
The most famous product with 12 years of aging is "Glenlivet 12".
The drink is characterized by a soft golden hue and a floral and berry aroma with tones of spices and citrus fruits.
The taste is sweet, with a slight bitterness and astringency. Drink chilled to 17-20 degrees.
-
An elite product from Scotland, winner of numerous awards, one of the most expensive whiskeys.
The drink is aged in sherry barrels, passed through 3 copper cubes during distillation, diluted with spring water.
One of the pearls of the collection is The Macallan M, produced in a limited batch. "Macallan 25 Year Old" received the award "Best Malt Whiskey 2017".
Glenmorangie
One of the smallest Scottish distilleries specializing in the production of single malt.
The brand is the most popular among locals, but it is also widely known outside the region.
The drinks are characterized by a mild taste and a rich palette of flavors.
Among the most famous products of the brand are the repeatedly awarded "Glenmorangie 18 Years Old" and the rare "Glenmorangie 25 Years Old".
Glen Grant
Scottish distillery owned by the Italian company Campari Group.
A special distillation system is used in the production, which provides the drinks with lightness and a delicate sweet aftertaste.
"Glen Grant" drinks are especially loved by Italians, which arose during the Scottish rule.
The brand is also popular in Russia. Scotch is drunk as an aperitif and as a digestif, usually undiluted.
-
A famous brand founded in 1824. The farm is located in the Spey Valley, surrounded by hills.
The most famous drink of the company is a fragrant single malt whiskey "Cardhu 12 Years Old" with a delicate honey flavor.
It is quite difficult to buy it in its pure form, but the product is included in all Black Label blends. The original product has received many international awards.
Aberlour
This Scottish brand gained popularity in Europe only in the second half of the XX century, when the Single Malt Aberlour scotch went on sale.
Before that, the distillery was engaged exclusively in the production of spirits for blends.
At the moment, the company is owned by a French company.
Single malt beverages are aged in oak sherry and bourbon barrels for 10 to 18 years.
-
A well-known brand that has earned the recognition of not only ordinary mortals, but also royalty. The company produces classic Scotch whisky with a pronounced aroma of peat and seaweed. "Laphroaig Malt 15 Years Old" is a favorite scotch of Prince Charles of Wales. Laphroaig 25 Years Old is also highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
-
The manufacturer has become famous for aged drinks of high quality with a mild recognizable taste.
The first single malt drink was released in 1971, before that the company specialized in the production of spirits for blends.
Bowmore
One of the oldest Scottish distilleries, founded on the Isle of Islay in 1779.
The company's drinks are characterized by a more delicate taste compared to other island products, but the distinctive aroma of peat smoke is also present.
Among the most famous Irish single malt brands:
How to drink single malt whiskey
It is recommended to drink classic whiskey/scotch neat, chilled to 16-20 °C.
A small amount of ice, water or soda may be added.
Instead of ice, it is recommended to use special cooling stones or balls.
Irish products are sometimes added to coffee, eaten with seafood, fried game or baked meat.
Update: 05.09.2021
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon