Single Malt

Scottish Single Malt

During the past five decades, single malt Scotch whisky has become a leading whisky category on the global stage. It has carved out an identity for the category as one of excellence, diversity and craftsmanship.

The number of distilleries producing Scottish single malt is very high with lots of competition between whisky makers in the country’s five official whisky regions. This creates a lot of competition which ensures that whisky makers strive to make the very best liquid they can. 

Fans are also devoted to the category with Scottish whisky clubs and individual buyers all over the world. This increases the demand for excellence and ensures that the Scottish tradition is recognised as being world-leading. The majority of other countries that have whisky distilleries making single malt – such as India, China, Sweden, India or France – attempt to emulate the Scottish tradition of single malt Scotch whisky making.

There are many examples of excellent single malt Scotch. It includes global brands such as Dalmore. The Dalmore 18, for example, is a superbly crafted single malt matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in 30-year-old Matusalem oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 43%, the Highland whisky maker behind this bottle is rightly proud of the niche it has carved in the world’s whisky industry. Dalmore Port Wood Reserve is an entry-level bottle to the range that includes whisky of vintages up to 30-plus years of maturation.

Joining Dalmore on the world stage is Glenmorangie, world-famous for many of its fine single malts. The Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1986 is a superb example of the Grand Vintage series, which sets out to celebrate the pinnacle of Scottish single malt whisky making. This 23-year-old single malt is bottled at 43%. Much closer to the typical buyer is a bottle such as the Glenmorangie Cognac Cask, which offers a stunning whisky experience at a much lower price point. 

Laphroaig Distillery on Islay is a permanent anchor in the world of peated whisky. This famously smoky island has earned an international reputation for its adherence to creating peated single malt whisky of the highest quality. Laphroaig 25, for example, is an award-winning 49% single malt that is a meaty combination of smoke, honey and sherry notes. An eternal classic. The distillery has also collaborated with independent whisky makers such as Douglas Laing.  A great example is Laphroaig Kinship 31. This bottle captures all the seaweed, brine, orange oils, and cloves that Laphroaig is known for, but it also has an independent character that elevates and celebrates this fine single malt producer. 

Newer entrants are making waves in the world of Scottish single malts also. Glenallachie in Speyside, for example, was relaunched in recent years but has managed to capture the world’s attention already. Led by master whisky maker Billy Walker, it produces a series of flavour-packed single malts that set out to redefine Speyside’s character. Glenallachie 12 is the flagship bottle. Matured for 12 years in virgin oak, oloroso sherry and PX sherry, it has become a signature release not just for its makers but also for the taste of Speyside. The distillery produces many differently aged and finished single malts, such as Glenallachie 18 and the Glenallachie 9 Amontillado. It’s an engine in the Scottish whisky industry.

Highland Park is the most northerly Scottish single malt distillery located in the Orkney Islands. Its 18-year-old core bottling is hugely popular, but its single cask releases, such as the exclusive Highland Park 18-year-old, are born collector’s items. 

From Islay to Speyside to the Highlands, the islands and everywhere in between, the single malt Scotch category is in good hands. Despite intense global competition, the future of single malt Scotch distilling looks very promising indeed.