Scotch Single Malt Whisky History

Whilst blended whiskies continue to be bestsellers, it is single malts that have become synonymous with luxury, class and deft power. To be classed as a single malt whisky, it must only have been strictly with just malted barley, and from only one distillery. Of course, it must also meet the necessary criteria for all Scotch whisky, it must be: made in Scotland, matured for at least three years, and in nothing other than oak barrels. No additions are allowed, other than water and some caramel colouring.

Each malt whisky starts its life with humble barley, which is malted through biological trickery, convincing it to germinate. This is sometimes done in the traditional style by hand. It is then dried, which can be a crucial moment for the flavour of the whisky, particularly in the case of peated malts. After this, it is ground and combined with water to make a sweet liquid known as "wort". Unfortunately named, perhaps, but this substance is integral to the final spirit. The wort is fermented in large tubs called washbacks, creating a strong beer.

This beer is then distilled a first time in the "wash still" to produce low wines- a relatively strong alcoholic substance at around 20-25%. The low wines are collected, and distilled a second time, and what is produced is known as "new make". A clear, almost vodka-like spirit, many whisky lovers would be shocked to learn that this liquid would later become the oft-thick, dark liquor they are familiar with.

This leads neatly on to the last part of single malt production, and possibly the most important for the whiskies overall flavour: maturation. Choice of cask can contribute a large part of a whisky’s taste, whether that be the vanilla and honey of ex-bourbon casks, the fresh berries of port casks or the Christmas cake of sherry casks. Of course, the other half of maturation is age- old whiskies, young whiskies, both have their merits, but only the most skilled distillers know the right time for each cask.

Single malt distilleries have been traditionally been grouped geographically into several regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Island (though not officially recognised by the SWA), Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Each have been said to have their own characteristics and history.

Campbeltown’s history is particularly fascinating. This peninsula jutting into the North Atlantic was once the populated with distilleries of all the regions, and could boast some 28 at the top of the 20th century. Sadly, a mere three remain, the others lost to economic hardship in the wake of prohibition and the Great Depression. The survivors are: Springbank, Glen Scotia and the relatively new Glengyle. Yet, what the region lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality, particularly Springbank, who make whisky of the very highest order, using their partial triple distillation techniques. The region has been known for imbuing the whisky with pungent smoke and briny qualities, though distilleries have made whiskies of all flavours and styles in this region.

The Highland region is by far the largest of all the regions, covering much of Scotland north of Glasgow. This is an extraordinarily large area, with a great range of styles contained. The more southern distilleries are known to produce lighter, floral drams, almost in keeping with the Lowland tradition. In the north, big, bold sweet whiskies. Whilst in the east, there are more sherried and fruity drams. In the west, one finds whisky influenced more by the North Atlantic air, and peat smoke. Of course, none of these are hard and fast rules, and a variety of great whisky is to be found right across the region.

Of all the regions, the Island grouping is perhaps the most controversial and certainly the most disparate. Here islands many hundreds of miles apart are grouped, from Orkney in the north, to Arran in the west. Yet there is a somewhat common flavour to these- a definite brine, and earthy funk is sometimes apparent. Controversy stems from its status as a region, widely acknowledged by whisky drinkers and salesman across the globe, but denied by Scotch’s governing body- the Scotch Whisky Association- who identify it with the Highland or Speyside regions.

Whilst the Highland region is the largest, perhaps the most famous and easily identified region is Islay. This small island is home to some of Scotch whiskies most iconic distilleries, the likes of Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Ardbeg are all found here. One of Scotland's oldest distilleries, Bowmore, has been on Islay for over 230 years. Despite this formidable history, innovation also flourishes here, with Bruichladdich’s creative rival and the new farm distillery Kilchoman both imposing in their own way. The region is known for a powerfully peated style of whisky, gained through drying the barley with the hot fumes of burnt peat, and a crisp salinity from the sea air that shrouds the island.

Like Campbeltown, the Lowland region is another that has suffered greatly in the past hundred years, with notable losses such as Rosebank and Ladyburn. The region is known for its lighter, floral malts, and its practice of triple distillation (which often means the whisky has a body similar to that of Irish whisky). The Lowland region lies between the border of England and Scotland, the start of the highlands, and is home to Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie and rejuvenated Bladnoch.

In the far north of the Highlands lies Speyside. Quite easily the most densely populated with distilleries, this region is home to more than half of the whisky-makers in Scotland. The region houses two of Scotland’s greatest whisky towns, Aberlour and Dufftown. Many of Scotch whiskies most notable distilleries are found here, such as the Balvenie, Glenlivet,Glen Grant and perhaps the most famous of all, Glenfiddich. The "Speyside Style" has undergone a marked evolution in the last few decades, having initially been much more similar to a north Highlander, with hints of salinity and peat. Now, the region is much more known for its sweetness and honey notes. However, Speyside also produces marvellous sherried whisky, nicknamed "sherry bombs", from the likes of Glenfarclas and Macallan. These whiskies excel with age too. It should also be noted that distilleries such as BenRiach have experimented to great success with heavily peated and interestingly finished whiskies.

As shown, single malt whisky dominates the Scottish nation, from the islands in the west, to the lowlands in the south there are distilleries to be found. Yet, it was not always the case that drinkers would be able to sample malts from many of these distilleries. It is only in the last 50 years or so that single malt bottlings have become common on our shelves. Prior to this, nearly all malt whisky produced in Scotland was sold to blenders to add flavour. In fact, some distillery managers in Islay considered the whisky to be "too intense" to be consumed by itself. It is Glenfiddich that we have to thank for "creating" the single malt market as we know it, their marketing campaign establishing it in the public mind.

Single Malt whisky is Scotland’s finest, most classy export after James Bond. Single malt whisky represents a bona fide gourmet spirit, made simply and delivered extraordinarily. More than just barley and water, the whisky seems to have distilled some of Scotland’s hospitality. It is a drink that brings people together, from Glasgow to Inverness, from glen to glen and island to island, the sound of glasses clinking is heard, alongside that old Gaelic toast: "Slainte!"