Single/Double Malt, Scotch, Whiskey, Scotch Wiskey, Highland/Lowland - What gives?

[Belrix]

Something is going on with this liquor that seems unique among different types of liquors (rum, vodka, etc). There’s all sorts of varieties of Whiskey (or is it Scotch? Scotch Whiskey?).

I know many distilled liquors, rum, vodka, etc. I’ve had many different kinds both mixed and straight. But the only thing I know about whiskey is Canadian Mist and Coke from my college days.

So, educate me, what’s all the hubub about this beverage?

What’s the difference between Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, Glenlivet and Ole’ Turkey Foot from the discount rack? What’s the difference between Highland, Lowland, Single, Double, Blended, and Red-neck Tennessee?

[Ferris]

Let me be the first to say that in Scotland, whisky doesn’t have an ‘e’.

The various descriptions you mention in the subject title are simply referring to the different areas within Scotland where whisky is produced, and the different methods of production employed.

A search on “Scottish Malt Whisky” should give you a few sites to peruse which will contain plenty of information about the differences you mentioned.

[Gary_T]

Whiskey (American spelling) is a general category that includes Scotch, bourbon, rye, and other types.

Most Scotch is a blend of products from various stills. The blending tends to even out batch-to-batch variations from a given still, and give a “middle of the road” flavor.

A single malt Scotch comes from one particular distiller. Each single malt has a distinct flavor, and many find certain ones particularly pleasing. To get a realistic answer to “what’s the difference” (in terms of how they taste), you’ll probably have to sample some and see what you think.

[Hail_Ants]

Also to clarify, “Scotch” is always whiskey which comes from Scotland, the same way all true champagne is from the Champagne province in France (else it’s just sparkling wine).

[everton]

A quick search will turn up several threads discussing whisky and whiskey, Belrix. Here’s one for instance.

One of the many prized whisky flavours happens to be “smoke”, by the way, of which you may have had more than enough recently. Comiserations - I bet you could do with a drink.

[Belrix]

*Originally posted by everton *
**One of the many prized whisky flavours happens to be “smoke”, by the way, of which you may have had more than enough recently. Comiserations - I bet you could do with a drink. **

Wow - our fires are making news overseas? My coworker is a volunteer fireman with his home in the mountains. The evacuation line ends at his property line. He’s, not surprisingly, highly motivated and unfortunately, if you pardon the expression, burning the candle at both ends. He’s one ragged puppy. Down in the city where I live the direct risk is minimal but it’s a true shame to see all this wonderful land go up in smoke.

[AHunter3]

My commiserations too. Not too long ago my home town of Los Alamos NM burned. Of course I hadn’t lived there for many years, but it was sad to think that the entire neighborhood I’d grown up in as a kid was just plain gone.

[waterj2]

Scotch = whisky from Scotland

Single Malt Scotch = Scotch where the entire content is made from the same batch

Blended Scotch = Scotch made from the combination of different batches

There are four regions where scotch comes from, Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown, and Islay. Speyside is an area within the Highlands region where many distillers are located, and is thus sometimes considered its own region.

A blended scotch, such as Johnnie Walker or Dewars, is likely to be blended to appeal to the masses, and will likely be quite drinkable (if you pay enough), but maybe a bit bland in comparison to a single malt. A single malt will have its own character, which may not appeal to drinkers of a different single malt. For example, my bottle of Laphroaig (an Islay) didn’t go over terribly well with some friends who were more interested in Highlands scotches, such as Glenlivet.

Canadian Whisky = whisky from Canada, e.g. Crown Royal. Canadian laws allow certain flavorings that aren’t allowed anywhere else.

Bourbon = Whiskey made in the US, which is made from a mash of at least 51% corn. An example would be Wild Turkey. A Kentucky bourbon is a bourbon made in Kentucky, which most are.

Tennessee Whiskey = Whiskey made in Tennessee, which is charcoal filtered. There are two brands, Jack Daniels and George Dickel

Single Barrell = a designation given to a bottling where all the contents are from the same barrell. I know Jack Daniels makes a Single Barrell version, which is quite pricey.

Irish Whiskey = Whiskey from Ireland, such as Jameson or Bushmills.

Japanese Whisky = Whisky from Japan, such as Suntory.

[China_Guy]

*Originally posted by waterj2 *
**Japanese Whisky = Whisky from Japan, such as Suntory. **

just curious, IIRC all the Japanese whiskies are imported to japan and bottled in Japan. There is nothing especially Japanese about them other than the bottling in Japan. Do you know about this?

[Futile_Gesture]

*Originally posted by waterj2 *
**Scotch = whisky from Scotland **

To further clarify: this definition is particularly American. It rarely used in Scotland, or Britain.

It’s just called whisky or, more precisely, by the distillery that produced it.

[Balor]

Go to the discussion cited by Everton - http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=109535 for a full discussion of Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky.

The highest quality whiskies are actually made in Ireland, and you will find some recommendations there.

[Aeschines]

@China Guy

just curious, IIRC all the Japanese whiskies are imported to japan and bottled in Japan. There is nothing especially Japanese about them other than the bottling in Japan. Do you know about this?

Not so, Suntory (Yamazaki, Hakushu), Nikka (Yoichi), and Mercian (Karuizawa) all have their own malt distilleries (listed in parentheses) and grain distilleries. Their malts and blends are made in Japan.

In Scotland, however, Nikka owns Ben Nevis and Suntory owns Bowmore and three other distilleries, I think. I have never seen anything to indicate that they import malt from Scotland to add to their blends, although I could be wrong.

Cheers!

[TheLoadedDog]

@Belrix

Wow - our fires are making news overseas? My coworker is a volunteer fireman with his home in the mountains. The evacuation line ends at his property line. He’s, not surprisingly, highly motivated and unfortunately, if you pardon the expression, burning the candle at both ends. He’s one ragged puppy. Down in the city where I live the direct risk is minimal but it’s a true shame to see all this wonderful land go up in smoke.

The annual US fires always make the news here in Sydney. I think it’s because we are fire-prone too, so there is an understanding of what you’re going through. In bad years, we sent fire fighters to assist in each others’ respective nations.

Back to the topic at hand, and you may be interested to know that used American whiskey barrels are exported to Scotland where they are much prized by distillers for ageing scotch whisky.

Also, I believe whiskey must come from Bourbon County to be called Bourbon, otherwise it is just Kentucky Whiskey.

[butler1850]

Minor nitpick… Burbon can only come from Kentucky. Any part. Anything else is whiskey, even if made from a mash of 51%+ corn.

I only know this due to a small burbon addiction.

[TheLoadedDog]

Well tie me to a tree and call me Shirley, butler1850 you are indeed right (being a cynical sod, I went and checked ). I consider some ignorance fought. Thanks.

From here:

As with French-appellation wines, there are strict laws governing just what a Bourbon must be to be labeled as such. For example, at least 51 percent of the grain used in making the whiskey must be corn (most distillers use 65 to 75 percent corn). Bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, white oak barrels that have been charred. Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor, add sweetness or alter color. Though technically Bourbon can be made anywhere, Kentucky is the only state allowed to put its name on the bottle. And as Kentucky distillers are quick to point out, Bourbon is not Bourbon unless the label says so.

[bughunter]

@waterj2

Single Malt Scotch = Scotch where the entire content is made from the same batch.

A friend of mine returned from studying at the University of Edinburgh bearing gifts, bottles of Single Cask Whisky.

Now I’d been becoming a fan of single malts, especially the smokier ones, starting with Oban and moving upland.

But this stuff was amazing. It was better than any bottled Scotch I’d ever had.

It’s bottled from a single batch, in a single cask, not blended at all. The bottlers and tasters get together and name each batch according to the nuances of its flavors, from “Wet Chimney Sweep” to “Almond Syrup and Rose Petals”.

I can’t drink blended Scotch any more. It’s just gross. It’s like drinking Budweiser after learning to enjoy Sierra Nevada.

[silenus]

The same goes for single-barrel bourbons. Wonderful stuff! Evan Williams has a wonderful little single-barrel on the market now. More and more of the distilleries are exploring this option. There are also ways of buying a barrel from the distillery and having a custom bottling run done for you and your friends.

Try the cask-strength McCallan’s…truly sublime.

[Peter_Morris]

@waterj2

Scotch = whisky from Scotland

Single Malt Scotch = Scotch where the entire content is made from the same batch

Blended Scotch = Scotch made from the combination of different batches

A blended scotch, such as Johnnie Walker or Dewars, is likely to be blended to appeal to the masses, and will likely be quite drinkable

Irish Whiskey = Whiskey from Ireland, such as Jameson or Bushmills.

A couple of remarks:

Irish whiskey is triple distilled, Scotch whisky is double-distilled.

Blended whiskey is made from proper whiskey (made from malted barley and properly matured), blended with cheap generic spirit made from wheat or maize.