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Single Malt vs Blended – What’s the difference?
Single malt whiskey is made from 100% malt alcohol made from germinated, or malted, barley. Alcohols can differ in the year of distillation, the duration of exposure, the types of barrels in which they were aged. The main condition is that all alcohol is obtained within the framework of one distillery.
Single malt whiskey has a deeper and richer taste, it is suitable for long aging and this 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 whiskey from different manufacturers. When blending, the master smooths out imperfections and emphasizes the merits of alcohols in order to end up with a result better than these alcohols separately. This is not required for single malt whiskey – it is created ideal from the outset.
Blended whiskey is often sharper and more alcoholic, although decent samples come across in this form. Blended whiskey is suitable for beginners, as well as those who love whiskey-based cocktails.
A common misconception is that blended whiskey is worse than single malt.
And it’s not. In its pure form, of course, single malt whiskey will be softer, it has a richer aroma and taste, which is why evenings with a book or business meetings are spent with such a drink. It’s not as good in cocktails.
Many people love 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 in itself, but serves as an excellent base for a variety of cocktails.
whiskey cocktails
Classification of whiskey by country
Scotland
Scotland is currently the leader in terms of production, so a significant part of the whiskey in stores and boutiques is from there. Scotch whiskey will always have the word scotch on the label.
One of the important features of scotch tape is its smokiness, the presence of smoked shades and saltiness. 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.
Scotland has 4 main regions:
Highlands
It has a huge territory, which is why it is problematic to unambiguously determine the style of this whiskey. Whiskey from here is suitable for lovers of a bright fruity orientation.
Speyside (Спе́йсайд)
Carries two main styles. One is light and elegant, with floral and malty undertones. For example, Glenfiddich (Glenfiddich), Glenlivet (Glenlivet). The second is rich and fruity. For example, Glenfarclas (Glenfarklas), Balvenie (Balveni), Macallan (Macallan).
Lowlands, Lowland
Whiskey from this region is distinguished by lightness, floral-herbal focus and pronounced aroma of grain. Here whiskey does not have smoked nuances.
Islands: Islay (Isla), Arran (Arran), Jura (Jura), Skye (Skye), Orkney islands (Orkney Islands), Mull (Mull)
Most island whiskeys are salty, smoky and smoky.
Ireland
This country, along with Scotland, is the ancestor of whiskey production, and in terms of production it ranks second.
Irish whiskey is somewhat light due to the triple distillation tradition. In addition, the technique of smoking malt with smoke is not used here.
Most often, Irish whiskey has a delicate style, with a predominance of honey, raisins, dried fruits and vanilla in taste and aroma. This drink is great for beginners.
USA
America ranks third in terms of whiskey production. In addition to a developed cocktail culture, the country is also famous for one of the most famous categories of whiskey – bourbon. Its distinguishing feature is the raw material – corn, which contains at least 51%.
In bourbon, shades of corn and popcorn, vanilla and spices are clearly felt. Due to a single distillation, the drink has a piquant and slightly pungent taste.
In addition, thanks to the barrels used, which are heavily burned from the inside before aging the drink, bourbon does not need to be tinted.
Canada
Takes fourth place, combining many traditions of whiskey production.
Canadian whiskey has pronounced fruity and spicy nuances, has an aroma of medium intensity and a dense taste.
A feature of Canadian whiskey is the Spiced category (spicy) – this is a blended whiskey, which is made by adding infusions of various spices and spices to it. Spicebox is a prominent representative of this category.
Japan
Japan has the fifth place in terms of volume, and the country completely copies the production technology from Scotland, while often resorting to smoking malt with peat.
The peculiarity of Japanese whiskey is aging in local Mizunara oak barrels, which gives the drink hints of tropical fruits in taste and aroma.
Reading whiskey labels
Malt (Malt, malt)
Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley.
Single Malt (Single malt, single malt)
Produced from 100% malt spirits obtained within the same distillery.
Blended malt (Pure malt, vatted malt, blended malt)
Produced from 100% malt spirits produced by different distilleries.
Grain whiskey (Grain whiskey, grain)
Produced from corn or wheat by single rectification.
Blended whiskey (Blended whiskey, blended)
Produced from a mixture of malt and grain alcohols.
Standard aperture
Blended whiskey with malt content of at least 10-15% and aging for 3 years.
Premium blend
A blended whiskey with at least 35% malt spirits and aged for at least 12 years.
Single Pot Still
Produced as single malt (Single Malt) within the same distillery, but from a mixture of malted and regular barley.
Straight Bourbon
Standard bourbon with corn content from 51% and aging from 2 years.
Tennessee Whiskey (Tennessee whiskey)
Bourbon from Tennessee with mandatory maple charcoal filtration.
Straight Rye (Straight Paradise, rye)
Whiskey made from at least 51% rye.
Spiced (Спайсд, пряный)
Spicy whiskey.
Single cask (Single Cask)
Whiskey bottled from one particular cask, not diluted with water or mixed with other spirits.
Cask strength, natural strength (Cask stretch, natural stretch, barrel strength)
Whiskey that has not been diluted with water after bottling from the cask.
Non-Chill-Filtered (Non-chill-filtered, without cold filtration)
Whiskey was not subjected to cold filtration, which gives it a more intense aroma and taste.
Natural Colour (Нэ́йчрал ка́лар)
Color has not been used.
Double Wood, DoubleTriple Cask (Double Wood, Doubletriple Cask)
Combined whiskey aging in two/three types of barrels was used.
Finish (Finish, finish exposure)
After aging in the main cask, the whiskey was sent for a short additional aging in another type of cask.
Proof
A unit of strength in the United Kingdom and the United States. To convert to %vol. American proof should 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 makes the best whiskey. Even within the same region, different styles can be observed, drinks will differ dramatically. Whisk offers a small selection of interesting whiskeys from around the world.
Penderyn (Wales)
Whiskey rich floral hints, apple and citrus tones, notes of dried fruits and spicy pastries.
Tomatin (Scotland)
The line contains whiskey with different years of exposure, up to 30 years. Whiskey is distinguished by softness and drinkability, and its producer is one of the few in Scotland who still makes their own barrels for aging.
Spicebox (Canada)
A wide range of different spiced whiskeys. Whiskeys are produced with cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla. It is pleasant both in its pure form and as part of fragrant cocktails.
The Pogues (Ireland)
Blended and single malt variants are introduced, as well as whiskey-based honey liqueur. Perfect for beginners.
Kavalan (Taiwan)
Exotic, but at the same time – an excellent whiskey, which has been recognized as the best in the world. Represented by a wide range of single malts aged in different types of casks. The manufacturer sets an export quota for each country.
Redemption (USA)
A premium bourbon that should be the #1 choice for those who love Jack Daniels but want something more.
Slow Hand (США)
Single malt organic whiskey aged simultaneously with 7 types of wood, which gives the drink a rich taste.
Eddu (France)
France produces not only cognac and wine, but also whiskey, and at the same time it is special – based on buckwheat, aged in cognac barrels.
Top 10 Single Malt Whiskeys
Glenfiddich
A family brand that produces drinks with a minimum exposure of 12 years. The maximum reaches 50.
The distillery was founded in 1886. The motto of the company: “every year matters”, the emblem is a deer’s head.
The highest valued is Glenfiddich Malt Scotch Whiskey 18 YO. Good in its purest form.
The Glenlivet
Scottish company that first sold whiskey overseas.
The most famous product with a 12-year exposure is Glenlivet 12.
The drink is characterized by a soft golden hue and a floral and berry aroma with hints of spices and citrus fruits.
The taste is sweetish, with a slight bitterness and astringency. Drink chilled to 17-20 degrees.
The macallan
An elite product from Scotland, winner of numerous awards, one of the most expensive whiskey options.
The drink is aged in sherry casks, during distillation it is passed through 3 copper cubes, diluted with spring water.
One of the gems of the collection is “The Macallan M”, released in a limited edition. Macallan 25 Year Old won the Best Malt Whiskey 2017 award.
Glenmorangie
One of the smallest Scottish distilleries specializing in single malt production.
The brand is the most popular among locals, but is widely known outside the region.
The drinks are characterized by a mild taste and a rich palette of aromas.
Among the brand’s most famous products 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.
The production uses a special distillation system that provides drinks with lightness and a delicate sweet aftertaste.
Drinks “Glen Grant” enjoy a special love among Italians, which arose during the time of Scottish possession.
The brand is also popular in Russia. They drink scotch as an aperitif and as a digestif, usually not diluted.
Cardhu
Famous brand founded in 1824. The farm is located in the Spey Valley, surrounded by hills.
The most famous drink of the company is the aromatic Cardhu 12 Years Old single malt whiskey with a delicate honey taste.
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 many international awards.
Aberlour
This Scottish brand became famous in Europe only in the second half of the XNUMXth century, when Single Malt Aberlour scotch went on sale.
Prior to this, the distillery was engaged exclusively in the production of spirits for blends.
The company is currently owned by a French company.
Single malts are aged in oak sherry and bourbon casks from 10 to 18 years.
Laphroaig
A well-known brand that has earned recognition not only of mere mortals, but also of royalty. The company produces a classic Scotch whiskey with a pronounced aroma of peat and seaweed. Laphroaig Malt 15 Years Old is Prince Charles of Wales’ favorite scotch. “Laphroaig 25 Years Old” is also highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
Balvenie
The manufacturer became famous for high quality aged drinks 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 in Islay in 1779.
The company’s drinks are characterized by a more delicate taste compared to other island products, but the expressive aroma of peat smoke is also present in it.
Among the Irish single malt brands, the most famous are:
Bushmills
Locke’s
Connemara
Teeling
How to drink single malt whiskey
Drinking classic whiskey / scotch is recommended in its pure form, chilled to 16-20 ° C.
You can add a small amount of ice, water or soda.
Instead of ice, it is recommended to use special cooling stones or bullets.
Irish products are sometimes added to coffee, eaten with seafood, fried game or baked meat.
Relevance: 05.09.2021
Metki: Whiskey and bourbon