What are the five types of Scotch whisky?
The five types of Scotch whisky are single malt, single grain, blended, blended malt, and blended grain whisky.
What does it all mean? Navigating the world of Scotch can be a bit daunting but don’t worry – we’ve got the essentials here to help you distinguish one from the other.
Every style has a strict definition. That means they’re easy to learn and you know what you’re getting when you buy. There’s also a style for everybody, whether you’re drawn to the intensity of a single malt or the versatility of a blended Scotch, there’s a profile to match every whisky lover’s palate. You could even be like us, and love them all for various reasons.
Today, rigorous regulations ensure that any whisky labelled Scotch adheres to strict guidelines, such as being aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years and maintaining an ABV of 40% or more. The Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009 further set out the rules on Scotch production in terms of the following styles and the recognised regions: Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown, and Islay.
The five types of Scotch whisky
Ardbeg is a fine example of single malt whisky
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Definition: Single malt Scotch whisky is made exclusively from malted barley, produced at a single distillery, and distilled in pot stills.
Purpose: This type of Scotch showcases the character of a single distillery and so represents that producer’s process and heritage.
Characteristics: Single malt whisky is known for its rich, layered profiles that can vary widely depending on factors like the region, distillation process, and cask ageing. Flavours often range from fruity and floral to peaty and smoky.
Examples:
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old (Speyside)
Ardbeg 10 Year Old (Islay)
Glenmorangie 12 Year Old – The Original Whisky (Highland).
Single grain whisky is often underappreciated, get to know it
Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Definition: Made at a single distillery, single grain Scotch whisky is made from grains other than malted barley such as wheat or corn and is distilled in continuous stills.
Purpose: Single grain whiskies are often used as the base for blended Scotch, though some are bottled as standalone expressions showcasing the sweet, creamy characteristics of grain whisky.
Characteristics: Typically lighter in body and flavour, single grain whiskies often have delicate, sweeter notes with hints of vanilla and caramel, making them approachable and versatile.
Examples:
The Leith Export Co. Table Whisky – Single Grain
Clydebuilt Riveter Single Grain (Ardgowan)
North British 12 Year Old 2011 (Master of Malt)
The famous whisky in the world is a blend: Johnnie Walker
Blended Scotch Whisky
Definition: Blended Scotch whisky is a mix of single malt and single grain whiskies from different distilleries, carefully married to achieve a consistent, balanced flavour.
Purpose: Blended Scotch is crafted to offer an approachable, well-rounded taste, often serving as an entry point into the world of Scotch. Bartenders also love them for their mixability.
Characteristics: Known for their smoothness and balance, blended Scotch whiskies often feature lighter, easy-drinking profiles with a combination of sweet, spicy, and subtly smoky notes.
Examples:
Monkey Shoulder whisky is a blended malt Scotch whisky
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Definition: Blended malt Scotch whisky is a blend of single malt whiskies from two or more distilleries, without any grain whisky in the mix.
Purpose: Blended malts aim to harmonise the complex flavours of different single malts, creating a richer and more complex whisky that highlights the artistry of blending.
Characteristics: These whiskies tend to be bold and flavourful, combining distinct malty notes from each distillery. Flavour profiles may vary greatly, offering layered complexity and often a fuller body.
Examples:
Seaweed & Aeons & Christmas Cake & Cinnamon Whisky
Blended grain is a treasure trove of value
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
Definition: Blended grain Scotch whisky is a blend of single grain whiskies from multiple distilleries.
Purpose: This less common type of Scotch whisky offers a smooth, lighter flavour profile that highlights the nuances of grain whisky while maintaining a degree of complexity. This category offers incredible value, with higher age statements available at a more affordable price than malts.
Characteristics: Typically light and approachable, blended grain Scotch whiskies can have creamy, sweet flavours with hints of vanilla, toffee, and gentle spice.
Examples:
Compass Box Experimental Grain Whisky
Blended Grain Whisky 30 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Butterscotch & Vanilla & Toast & A Generation 30 Year Old
Campbeltown, once the epicentre of Scotch whisky production
What are the five Scotch whisky regions?
As well as the five production styles, Scotland also has five distinct whisky regions. You can learn more about the Scotch whisky regions on our guide page, but here’s a quick intro.
Highlands: Covering the largest geographic area, Highland whiskies are diverse, ranging from light and floral to rich and peaty. Notable distilleries include Glenmorangie and Dalmore as well as the Island distilleries, including Talisker and Highland Park.
Lowlands: Lowland whiskies are typically mass-produced grain whiskies or gentle, light, and floral single malts, ideal Scotch for beginners. A new wave of distilleries is broadening the category, however, making the Lowlands an exciting hub of creativity. Popular distilleries include Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.
Speyside: Known for its abundance of distilleries, Speyside has the biggest single concentration of whisky distilleries in the world. Its whiskies are typically grouped into the light and fruity, like The Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, or the rich and sherried like The Macallan or Aberlour.
Campbeltown: Once a whisky powerhouse, Campbeltown now has only a few active distilleries, including Springbank and Glen Scotia, known for their robust, often maritime-influenced flavours.
Islay: Renowned for its bold, heavily peated whiskies, Islay produces some of the most distinct and smoky whiskies, with distilleries like Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin. Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich both make unpeated whisky, however, and do a brilliant job of it.
What is Single Cask Scotch Whisky?
Single cask Scotch whisky isn’t actually a protected term under the regulations but refers to a whisky from a single barrel. That means it wasn’t blended with whisky from any other casks, making each bottle uniquely distinct.
As a result, no two single cask expressions are exactly alike, with each one capturing the specific nuances of its barrel, from wood type to ageing conditions. Single cask releases are typically limited-edition and highly prized for their rarity and individuality.
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