Scotch is the right whiskey. Single malt whiskey: rating

A little about tape in general

As you know from the previous post, Scotland is considered the birthplace of whiskey, which there (that is, not only there, but everywhere) is called scotch, and every bottle of the drink produced in this country of the Kingdom is labeled Whiskey Scotch.

There are several significant ones produced elsewhere that are only entitled to be called Whiskey or.

There are several types of Scotch whiskey:

• Malt is a scotch made from 100% barley malt.
• Single Malt is a single malt whiskey made at one distillery and bottled there.
• Single Cask Malt is a blend of multi-malt varieties matured in one cask.
• Pure Malt is a composition of several brands of single malt whiskey produced at different distilleries, aged in the same barrel.
• Blend is a blended whiskey, a combination of different types of malt and grain alcohols in different proportions.
• Grain - whiskey made from pure wheat alcohol is very High Quality. This is the most expensive brand of non-malt scotch.
• Single Grain – also pure grain whiskey, lower in category.
• Grain Single Barrel is a scotch made only from a mixture of grain alcohols, aged in one barrel for at least 6 months.
• Pure Grain is a combination of several grain drinks from different distilleries.

It's rare to find pure grain whiskey here. Most often - or varieties. In total, there are currently 148 brands of Scotch tape on the market.

The most famous brands of scotch tape

If you ask someone who knows a little about whiskey which brand is the most famous, he will no doubt name Johnnie Walker. In Russian the name sounds like Johnny Walker - this is the name of the founder of the distillery. The event happened back in 1820. It is now the world's best-selling brand. There are 5 Johnnie Walker labels:

• The cheapest - Red Label. Its manufacturer positions it as adhesive tape “for every day.” Consists of 35 barley varieties, based on the Cardu brand, aged in sherry barrels for 3 to 5 years.
  The cost of a bottle here ranges from 1.8-2.0 thousand rubles per 0.7 liter bottle. Further I will indicate just such a spill - for convenience. The first price is in online stores and wholesalers, the second is in retail. This is No. 1 whiskey in the world. 7.5 million 9-liter boxes are sold annually worldwide!

• Black Label is an excellent blend, aged for more than 12 years. It contains almost 40 single malt spirits. Has the softest honey taste and a light smoky note in the aroma. Cost 3.0-4.2 thousand rubles.

• Gold Label, or also called "Golden Label", is aged for at least 18 years and is composed of 15 of the most valuable barley and grain spirits. The recipe was developed for the centenary of Johnny Walker and Sons. It is considered the most “honey and smoky” brand. Price – within 5-5.5 thousand rubles.

• Platinum Label is the company's newest product. Year of birth: 2011, blended by Jim Beveridge. The alcohols are infused for at least 18 years, the composition is kept secret. Experts say that the blend was created under the influence of the blend master’s trip to India. And therefore the scotch is very strong, spicy and at the same time, sweet taste with a traditional smoky aroma. Price – about 8 thousand rubles.

Among luxury whiskeys, the brand has held the championship for decades Chivas Regal– products of the Chivas Brothers distillery (founded 1801).

The blend consists of 39-41% malt whiskey. Three types are available: Chivas Regal 12 Y.O. with 12 years of aging (price about 3 thousand rubles for 0.7 l), with 18 years - Chivas Regal Gold Signature 18 Y.O. (6.5 thousand rubles) and Chivas Regal Royal Salute 50 Y.O., created for the half-century anniversary of the Queen’s coronation in 2003.

A special feature is the colored bottles, imitating the shimmer of precious stones on the royal crown. The price of an exclusive bottle is from 15 thousand rubles.

Whiskey Scotch Glenlivet, read as Glenlivet, is one of the best brands of Single Malt whiskey. Date of birth: 1824. Aged from 12 to 25 years. Malt is dried using peat smoke, which is almost fresh in composition and extracted in only one place.

It has a rather light golden color, a honey flavor and a delicate smoky floral flair. It is aged in bourbon barrels (one type is sherry), and the water has been taken from only one source for almost 200 years. Cost – from 4 thousand rubles. for a 12-year-old bottle up to 30-35 thousand - for 25 years of age.

Famous Grouse – national pride Scotland. Only there is the wild grouse partridge, which is depicted on the label. The strength of the drink is 43% alc. Consists of malt spirits from two distilleries. The best selling brand in Scotland itself.

And at the same time, many houses have their own recipes for how to make Famous Grouse. Connoisseurs note spices and orange in the taste, caramel in the aftertaste, and fruit (orange and cherry) and peat smoke in the aroma. The price is around 2-2.5 thousand rubles.

Among the very famous and valuable brands we should definitely mention:

• Ballantine's– third place in sales in the world. Possesses the title “Impeccable Taste”. Price from 1000 rub. for 3 years of age and up to 35 thousand for aging for 30 years.
• Cutty Sark– the lightest and most original variety in taste. And the cheapest original adhesive tape - from 800 rubles. per bottle
• Dewar's White Labe l is the most complex blend in composition. Has a Royal Patent and more than 400 international awards. Aging from 3 to 25 years, price 4-25 thousand rubles.
• Glenfiddich or tape with deer antlers. Every 4th bottle sold in the world has them on the label. This is an elite class single malt whiskey. A bottle of a 40-year-old drink costs 210 thousand rubles. The cheapest is about 4 thousand.

The most popular whiskey in Russia

Well, I would like to complete my review with the most popular brand among my compatriots. Naturally, this is the White Horse - White Horse. Also, this whiskey is the first in Japan, second in Brazil and third in the USA in popularity.

Interestingly, in its homeland this drink is not even in the top 20. But the manufacturer, White Horse Distillers Limited, is the only one to receive the Queen’s Award for Achievement in the Development of International Trade.

The distillery was recently acquired by Diageo, which now owns almost half of the listed brands. The White Horse blend contains more than 20 types of malt and grain alcohols, the taste is sweet, fruity, smoky aroma, with notes of vanilla.

This is where I say goodbye, although I could tell you a lot more interesting things about adhesive tape. I’ll switch to other drinks for now - well, so that they don’t get offended. Subscribe and you will receive an email with a new, exciting investigation on the topic of alcohol. And remember - everything is good in moderation!

Best regards, Pavel Dorofeev.

It is difficult to say exactly when the first brands of Scotch whiskey appeared. The only one reliable fact is that the ancient Celts were engaged in the distillation of “fiery” liquid or mash. Their heirs gradually improved the distillation of mash and turned it into whiskey - a truly Scottish drink, the taste of which is enjoyed by the whole world.

In the article:

Production details of Scotch whiskey

Whiskey production in Scotland is based on the use of malted barley, which is given “spring” conditions to promote germination. In order not to spoil the raw material and prevent the formation of roots, you need to start drying it in time with smoke, burning swamp peat or special ovens. The finished malt is combined with water (usually taken from natural sources), and the resulting wort is fermented and sent for distillation.

The resulting alcohol is distilled and placed in an oak container that previously contained another alcoholic drink. Given the fact that the barrels are not sealed hermetically, the scotch absorbs the natural aromas that surround the distillery. The final taste of the drink depends on many factors, namely:

• composition of peat used for drying;
• water;
• type of drink previously contained in barrels;
• the wood from which these same barrels are made, and so on.

The vast majority of Scotch whiskeys are blended drinks made by mixing grain and malt scotch. Depending on the policy of each individual TM, several different types of whiskey may be present in alcohol at once, and their different proportions are used. The ideal ratio of malt whiskey to grain whiskey is 2:1.

Contrary to public opinion, scotch tape does not age after bottling. It acquires its age by being enclosed in an oak container. Moreover, if the blend includes several types of whiskey of different age categories, the aging of the final product will be equal to the age of the youngest ingredient.

Scotch whiskey categories

Depending on how they do it scotch whiskey, there are five categories of it, namely:

Single Malt or Single Malt, produced and bottled at the same distillery. Alcohol is made from water and malt, double distillation occurs in copper stills, and all this must be carried out strictly within the country.

Grain or Single Grain. Production and bottling take place at the same distillery. The product is made from barley grains and water, the presence of other unmalted or malted grains is allowed. Grain Scotch whiskeys cannot have the same technology as single malts.

Blended or Blended, which is a mixture of several or one type of grain whiskey and one/several types of single malt whiskey. All ingredients must be produced in different distilleries;

Blended malt (Malt Blended). It contains different types of single malt whiskey made at different distilleries.

Blended grain, that is, Blended Grain. In its production there are different types of grain whiskey made at different distilleries.

Main production regions

The majority of Scotland's whiskey is produced in the following regions:

1. The island of Islay, which specializes more in “smoky” varieties like Bowmore and Laphroaig.
2. Plain and South Region called Lowland. This alcohol is drunk easily and naturally, delighting the consumer with a floral-fruity aroma and taste without any trace of smoke.
3. Campbeltown is the southern lands of the peninsula, where only a few of the many distilleries were able to survive the Great Depression. The region's products have the perfect balance of earthy-bitter, honey-floral and salty flavors.
4. The center of the northern part of Scotland is Spacegard. The local Scotch whiskeys, the names of which are familiar to all lovers of quality alcohol, attract with a rich, full-bodied taste with notes of toffee and honey, although there are also “smoky” examples.
5. Southwestern Highland region, specializing in full-bodied whiskeys, predominantly with sweet, smoky notes, more akin to a barbecue or pipe. Some brands of whiskey from Scotland, or more precisely from the Highlands, are characterized by a pleasant nutty and slightly bitter flavor, reminiscent of chocolate or espresso. Highland Scotch can have different levels of sweetness, bitterness or smokiness, which is entirely explained by some differences in the climatic conditions of its maturation and water quality.
6. Islands located north of the already mentioned island of Islay. For example, the smoky Talisker is considered the heritage of the Isle of Skye, the sweetish and barely smoky Highland whiskey of Orkney, and the slightly “smoked” scotch of the same name, Jura.

The best whiskey in Scotland

It is difficult to name the best Scotch whiskey, since each person has his own requirements for this legendary drink. Based on sales statistics, we can say that the most popular items are:

• Products of the brand, which since the second half of the 19th century has been producing both budget and luxury alcohol.
• A surprisingly smooth-tasting Scotch from a distillery. Its owners worked for a long time on the recipe for their own standard drink, and they did it for good reason.
• - an alcohol that has earned its popularity thanks to the unusual ratio of malt and grain whiskey, amounting to 30% and 70%, respectively. Released on Christmas Eve 1887, the drink quickly became a favorite of the Scots, and within a couple of years it won worldwide respect.
• Cardhu. This product is famous for its soft and refined taste, more typical of women's alcohol. Such taste qualities are considered the merit of Elizabeth Cumming, the wife of the distillery owner. It was she who came up with the idea to endow the famous single malt scotch with a special mild taste, which quickly made it the favorite of the female connoisseurs of elite alcohol. Considering that scotch was initially positioned as a truly masculine drink, this fact can be considered at least surprising.

• Single Cask is a single malt whiskey that was bottled from one barrel of one year. These types of whiskey are also called Single Year.
• Single Cask Strenght is a single malt whiskey that was bottled from a single cask and not diluted with water. These types of whiskey have a strength above 45, and sometimes even 50 degrees.

By country of production

• – these whiskey brands are distinguished by following traditional technologies, in particular, double distillation, peat smoking, and aging for at least 6 years. The raw material can be smoked malt or a mixture of malt and grain crops. , .
• are produced using a modified technology: for this, triple technology is used, not a, and both malted and unmalted barley are used as raw materials (that is, sprouted and non-sprouted barley grains are mixed). Irish whiskey brands include Connemara, Dunvilles, Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast and Green Spot.
• Almost entirely made from corn, and this raw material was chosen solely for economic reasons. called , the drink got its name thanks to the county of the same name, in which at first the vast majority of distilleries were located. Brands of American whiskey or bourbon: , Wild Turkey.
• won a large market share during Prohibition in the United States: at this time, whiskey production on the continent moved almost entirely north to Canada. The lack of clear competition and the desire to save money led to the fact that it was (and is) always characterized by low quality. In addition, it may contain not only whiskey alcohols themselves (that is, aged grain distillate), but also other alcoholic beverages, for example, rum or tequila. can be considered Canadian Club.

So how about huge variety whiskey to choose a truly high-quality drink?

In fact, the choice is not as difficult as it seems. First of all, let's talk about choosing whiskey when you're on a budget.

How to choose inexpensive, high-quality whiskey?

Good blended whiskey

Good blends are all old ones aged at least 15 years, as well as collection varieties. Premium whiskeys also include deluxe whiskey, 18-year-old.

How to drink whiskey correctly? What to drink and snack with whiskey?

Please don't do bullshit. If you want whiskey, buy ready-made whiskey. Even the ingredients for cooking will cost more than 0.5 liters of Grant's - and that's without taking into account your time and equipment. It is impossible to obtain purely technologically, just like building a rocket to the moon, laying a bridge to Crimea, or assembling a racing car. Making whiskey at home is a stupid, stupid, and economically unprofitable activity.

However, people are still interested. Well.

To prepare, you will need 8 kilograms of barley malt, 32 liters of water, and about 300 grams of pressed yeast. It is better to purchase malt from barley. In some cases, they sell already sprouted malt, and occasionally they sell sprouted and ground malt. The more ready-made malt you buy for making whiskey, the better for the final cost of the drink. If you bought unsprouted malt, then you need to germinate it (by soaking it and placing it on a large area for germination), and then grind it into a coarse grind: just break the grains, no need to make flour.

Then you need to make the wort. For this they take hot water and pour the ground malt into it. As a result, they are kept in this way for about 90-120 hours (evaluate the simplification of the process of making whiskey at home - in production, just preparing the wort takes at least a day). After this, yeast is added to the wort, and the mash goes into fermentation for two weeks. During the process, it is necessary to constantly stir the mash to achieve the most uniform fermentation and avoid the appearance of lumps.

Moreover, in some cases the separation of the “head” and “tail” does not occur.

Comes in glass containers. The original recipes recommend going to cut down an oak tree; but it is obvious that the problem can be solved differently by simply buying oak chips at the pharmacy. The wood chips are simply placed in whiskey and stored for a year. Obviously, the better for the drink; however, it is unlikely to be able to somehow spoil the already controversial taste of the finished moonshine.

Whiskey history

Homeland name. The first mention of the drink dates back to 1494. The distillation apparatus used was a device that was a cross between a samovar and a teapot turned upside down on it.

The first still of the modern type was created by Anness Coffey in 1830, an Irishman, however, the first use of this still was made by the Scotsman Robert Stein. Initially, whiskey was used exclusively as a medicine - like half of the world's alcoholic drinks. They drank whiskey immediately after distillation, that is, no one waited for the aging and blending process.

Moreover, since 1579, only nobles could produce whiskey, however, this did not stop local moonshiners. They continued to produce whiskey and sell it by sea. This is why the north of Scotland is so a large number of distilleries had their own piers and moorings. Despite the fact that there were gradual relaxations (for example, in 1644, an excise tax was introduced, and by law already 8 large distilleries could produce whiskey), the highest quality whiskey was produced underground. In 1822, all distilleries were legalized, which led to an explosive growth in the popularity of the drink and to an explosive increase in production volumes.

In the 17th century, whiskey began to be produced in the New World, and the first whiskey was made in the county of Kentucky. As a result, the county gave its name to a whole type of alcoholic beverage. American whiskey was made from corn, the cheapest grain that could be obtained in the New World.

Full list of whiskeys that are or will be presented on this site:

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Long John whiskey is a medium-bodied blended Scotch whiskey with a fairly light and very pleasant peat flavor. Produced at the distillery of the same name, owned by Allied Distillers. Long John whiskey is not very popular in Russia, it is mainly known in France...

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Linkwood Whiskey is an excellent Scotch single malt scotch. Linkwood whiskey is rightfully considered one of the best malt whiskeys on Speyside. Manufacturers manage to combine fruity sweetness in the drink, as well as a peat, smoky tone. Whiskey aged...

Ledaig whiskey is a young but already quite famous Scotch scotch produced at the Tobermory distillery. Ledaig whiskey is a full-bodied whiskey with an intense, distinctive peat flavor as well as a smoky aroma. Ledaig whiskey is sold aged for at least 7 years. 12 and 1...

Laphroaig whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey produced on the island of Islay, two kilometers from the town of Port Ellen. Produced by Allied Distillers. Laphroaig whiskey is the company's flagship drink, as well as an integral part...

Lagavulin whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey produced in the distillery of the same name on the shores of the bay of the same name. The whiskey has a fairly powerful peat flavor, a distinct aroma of iodine and seaweed, as well as a juicy sweetness. Mo...

Knockando whiskey is a traditional single malt scotch from Scotland, from an area called Speyside. It has a light, intoxicating aroma with a strongly pronounced malt undertone, accompanied by an accompaniment of nuts in the aftertaste. The peculiarity of Knockando whiskey is that...

Kilbeggan whiskey is an Irish blended whiskey that dates back to 1775. The owner of the Kilbeggan whiskey brand is Cooley. Some websites claim that Kilbeggan is a family company and is not owned by anyone...

Johnnie Walker is the most famous brand of blended Scotch whiskey. Every year, the brand owner, Diageo, sells more than 226.6 million bottles of this Scotch whiskey (data for 2015). Johnnie Walker Whiskey was Whiskey's favorite brand...

Jim Beam whiskey is the most common and best-selling American whiskey (bourbon). A classic of the world genre: it consists of 51% corn, aged in oak barrels for at least 2 years. The strength of the drink varies from 40 to 43 degrees above the horizon. One of the...

Jameson whiskey is the most famous Irish whiskey. Produced in Ireland, in Dublin, at the Sadr Ogri distillery. More than 56.4 million bottles are sold each year (about 110 bottles of Jameson whiskey are sold around the world every minute). In Russia, this brand is...

Isle of Skye whiskey is a De Luxe blended Scotch whiskey. Isle of Skye whiskey is made at the family distillery Ian Macleod Distillers. Isle of Skye whiskey is a high-quality peat blend with a long aftertaste...

Isle Of Jura Whiskey is a single malt Scotch island whiskey with a light and pure aroma, as well as a taste characteristic of the highlands. Excellent as an aperitif. Produced in the distillery of the same name on the island of Jura. Whiskey Isle Of Jura...

Islay Mist whiskey is produced by the distillery of the same name, which is owned by McDuff International - one of the few independent companies in Scotland. Islay Mist was recognized at the World Whiskies Awards in 2008 for its amber colour. Whiskey...

Irishman whiskey is an Irish whiskey brand produced by Hot Irishman in Waterford. The brand is quite young, the manufacturer was born only in 1999. Despite the fact that the drink is quite young, it has received a large number of awards, including...

Highland Park whiskey is a famous single malt Scotch produced at the distillery of the same name in Kirkwall, Orkney. Highland Park whiskey has a heathery and peaty aroma that is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the finish. The special feature...

Hankey Bannister whiskey is a blended Scotch scotch produced by Inver House Distillers. Hankey Bannister whiskey consists of 30% malt whiskey and 70% grain whiskey. Malt alcohols include Balblair, Balmenach, K...

Haig whiskey is produced by the distillery of the same name, which is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Now on the market you can find Hiag Club whiskey (the face of which is David Beckham), The Haig Gold Label Rang - the flagship of the distillery, as well as Haig D...

Grant's whiskey is a blended Scotch scotch, the third most popular whiskey in the world. Today, Grant's whiskey is sold in more than two hundred countries around the world. A characteristic feature of Grant's whiskey is the bottle in which it is...

Grand Macnish is a classic blended Scotch whiskey. Today it is one of the oldest brands of Scotch tape. It has a light soft taste, in the aftertaste you can clearly hear the sweetness that is typical of Highland whiskey, as well as...

Glenrothes whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey produced at the distillery of the same name since 1878. Glenrothes whiskey is used as one of the main ingredients to create Cutty Sark whiskey. The whiskey has an ABV of 43% and is aged in bourbon oak barrels of varying...

Glenmorangie whiskey is a soft and medium-bodied Scotch whiskey with a delicate and sweet aroma. Glenmorangie whiskey is the most popular single malt whiskey in Scotland. The aroma of Glenmorangie single malt whiskey is extremely diverse: once...

Glenkinchie Whiskey, also known as Edinburgh Malt Whiskey, is a classic single malt Scotch from the Lowlands. Edinburgh Malt Whiskey received its name due to the proximity of the distillery to the capital of Scotland. The whiskey has a bright golden color, sweet...

Glengoyne whiskey is a classic Scottish single malt whiskey that is light and pleasant. sweetish taste and an intense round aroma. The whiskey is produced with aging for 10, 17 and 21 years, whiskey strength is 43%. This drink is produced by the Glengoyne distillery...

Glenfiddich whiskey is an excellent single malt Scotch whiskey produced in the Fiddich Valley, near Dufftown (Speyside). Glenfiddich whiskey has a fresh, fruity aroma with heather and peat flavors, ideal as an aperitif. For today...

Glenfarclas whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey from Speyside, produced by the independent distillery of the same name. The distillery is owned by the Grant family, but this is not the famous family that produces Grant's whiskey and owns Glenfiddich. Glenfarclas whiskey is quite different...

Glendronach whiskey is a classic single malt Scotch whiskey produced in the Highland distillery of the same name, on the banks of the River Dronon, Aberdeenshire. Glendronach whiskey can range from rich gold to mahogany (depending on...

Glencadam whiskey is a nice creamy scotch from Scotland. Glencadam whiskey is bottled at the distillery of the same name in Brechin, Angus. Has an excellent round taste fruit salad and caramel pudding. It is one of the main ingredients of the blender...

Glen Moray whiskey is a Scottish malt whiskey with a golden color, soft aroma and fresh taste. Produced at the distillery of the same name in Elgin, Moray. Bourbon barrels imported from North America are used to age the whiskey. I have...

Glen Grant whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey made from Speyside, typically aged five years. Glen Grant whiskey is quite light and moderately dry, often used as an aperitif. Part of the portfolio of the Campari Group. The product line...

Glen Garioch whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey. Glen Garioch whiskey is medium-bodied with lavender, oak and syrupy sweetness. Ideal as a digestif. Glen Garioch whiskey has a strength of 4...

Glen Deveron whiskey is produced at the Macduff distillery in Banffshire, on the banks of the River Deveron. Glen Deveron whiskey is a rare case where a drink gets its name because of the river from which water is taken to cool the vapors. Glen Deveron whiskey is the key...

Famous Grouse whiskey is a blended Scotch whiskey, the most popular blend in Scotland itself, one of the most popular and famous blends in the whole world. The whiskey is based on spirits from The Macallan and Highland Park distilleries. Fa...

Edradour whiskey is a famous Scottish single malt scotch. Produced in the Highlands, in a small distillery of the same name. Edradour whiskey is now produced in several lines: Edradour Classic Range (single malt whiskey aged in...

Dubliner whiskey is one of the most... famous brands Irish blended whiskey. The brand belongs to Quintessential Brands, which also includes G&J Greennall, Alize, and Essential Drinks. Manufactured by First Ireland Sp...

Dewar's whiskey is one of the most famous Scotch whiskeys, the most popular whiskey in the USA, and ranks sixth in the ranking of the most popular whiskeys in the world. Dewar's whiskey is a blended whiskey produced by John Dewar & Son, which is... .

Deanston Whiskey is a classic Scotch whiskey produced at the Deanston Distillery, Doune, Stirlingshire. The strength of the drink is 40-43 degrees, Deanston whiskey has a medium-bodied, very soft malt taste with a distinct fruity aftertaste of sweet...

Dalwhinnie whiskey is a classic Scottish single malt scotch. for a long time which was not sold as a pure malt, and was used exclusively for blending. Dalwhinnie whiskey is an excellent aperitif or digestif, it has a light aroma with a soft aftertaste,...

Among the elite and expensive alcoholic products that are known and in demand all over the world, Dalmore single malt whiskey is one of the most expensive drinks. The mere fact that in 2012 a bottle of Dalmore aged 60 years sold for 10...

Cutty Sark whiskey is a fairly popular blended Scotch whiskey. The drink is produced by the old London company Berry Brothers & Rudd, which has been working in the field of alcohol since the 17th century. Cutty Sark whiskey is the most popular...

Craigellachie Whiskey is a Scotch whiskey from Speyside with a smoky aroma and flavour. Medium-bodied Craigellachie whiskey is ideal as a digestif. A typical Speyside scotch with a light straw color. Even an inexperienced taster can easily find...

Cragganmore whiskey is a classic Scottish single malt whiskey. It has pronounced floral tones, the taste of vanilla and honey. The whiskey strength reaches 43%. "Cragganmore - one silt the best varieties Speyside. It combines rigor with elegance...

Connemara whiskey is an Irish single malt whiskey owned by Cooley Distillery. Connemara whiskey was first released in 1987, the company's founder was John Tilling, who named the company after the island on which it is located. Produc...

Clynelish Whiskey is a single malt Scotch whiskey from the Northern Highlands, however, unlike other whiskeys in the region, Clynelish is unusually smooth. Medium-bodied Clynelish whiskey has a rich aroma and a slight dryness in taste, a distinct...

Clan MacGregor whiskey is a blended Scotch whiskey that is one of the TOP 20 best-selling whiskeys in the world. Clan MacGregor whiskey is well known not only in Russia, but throughout the world, and not least because the cost of this whiskey is low. Whiskey...

Chivas Regal whiskey is one of the most famous Scottish blended whiskeys and is the flagship of the Pernod Richard company. The blend is based on about four dozen alcohols from all over Scotland, the main alcohol being Strathisla whiskey. Whiskey Chi...

This type of whiskey is one of the ten most popular and most sought-after brands. It is this that is the basis for the popular Johnnie Walker. Cardu whiskey is produced by the Scottish Distillery. There are two types of Cardu whiskey on the market:...

Caol Ila Whiskey is a malt Scotch Scotch from the island of Islay, perfectly balanced and least peaty. To produce Caol Ila whiskey, barley malt is used, which is dried using the smoke of burning peat. True, it is dried like this only for the first six months - in the long term...

Bushmills Whiskey is a blended Irish whiskey, one of the most famous whiskeys in the world. Produced at the distillery of the same name, which is the oldest distillery in the world. The whiskey got its name from the nearby village of Bushmills. ...

Scotch whiskey is a traditional Scottish drink, which is not only a national alcoholic product, but also has a special status protected by the state law of the WTO, as well as the entire European Union and the UK itself.

The name "whiskey" is a modernized Gaelic word that literally means "water of life." Previously, the Scots considered whiskey a healing elixir that could prolong life, maintain the health of the body, and even treat some ailments, such as smallpox or paralysis.

History of Scotch Whiskey

It is not known exactly when exactly the Scots’ ability to distill liquid originated; there is no mention of the first production of an alcoholic drink in the country. However, there is accurate evidence that the possibility and properties of distillation were known to the ancient Celts, who inhabited the territory of modern Scotland.

The distillation process has changed, improved and reached the level that is used today in the production of Scotch whiskey, famous throughout the world. Today this drink has become a symbol of Scotland and one of the most popular strong drinks all over the world.

The history of Scotch whiskey goes back a long way. The first mention of the preparation of this type of alcohol is found in the tax records of the Scottish Treasury in 1494. The report contains an entry that a certain monk named John Cor was to be given about 200 kg. malted barley so that he could produce whiskey.

According to approximate calculations, it turns out that out of 200 kg. of barley malt you can get about 24,000 bottles of distillate. This great amount The monastic production of distillate shows that in those days the monasteries had already practically put malt distillation on stream to produce whiskey.

Types of Scotch Whiskey

By law in the UK, there are five different types of Scotch whisky:

(Single Malt Scotch Whiskey) is a drink that is necessarily produced within a single distillery and contains only malt and water. It is distilled twice according to a strict and time-honored procedure. The occasional single malt whiskey that has been distilled three times is found, but this is generally rare. No other grains are added to this whiskey. This whiskey is produced only in Scotland.

Grain whiskey (Single Grain Scotch Whiskey) - produced within the same production and bottled there. This drink is prepared from malt, water, and various grains. The nuances and technological principles of grain whiskey production differ from the production features of single malt whiskey.

(Blended Scotch Whiskey) is a drink produced by mixing different single malt whiskeys, or single malt with grain. They mix different whiskeys to obtain a unique, special taste.

Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey - this whiskey is produced by mixing several single malt whiskeys that were made in different production facilities.

Blended Grain Scotch Whiskey - this type of whiskey is obtained after mixing several grain whiskeys that were produced at different distilleries.

The rating of which is the highest of all types of “water of life”, since this type of drink is considered the highest quality, it is prepared only on the basis of barley malt and water. There cannot be any other grains in a true “single malt”. Depending on the manufacturer, the drink can be double or triple distilled, and can be aged in barrels for 3 or 20 years. In some places it is allowed to add dyes (for example, in the USA this is actually mandatory), in others it is not.

Specificity of “single malt”

There are several dozen, if not hundreds, of brands and brands of single malt whiskey in the world. The traditional regions of the “water of life”, Ireland and Scotland, boast long-standing traditions and established production.

For example, Connemara Single Cask single malt Irish whiskey received 20 gold medals at international competitions, including the title of “best in the world” in 2008 and 2009. However, other countries are not far behind them - a drink in this category is produced in the USA, Japan, Taiwan and some other countries.

Why "single malt whiskey"? Varietal names contain the name of the distillery that produced the product, and in the case of "single malt" there are several meanings. And one of them is that it is a product of one distillery, where it is usually bottled. Sometimes a blend of several varieties of different years of aging is allowed.

The main components for it are water. There is a widespread belief among experts that “single malt,” as this category of drink is called in English, is the highest quality of all types.

IN classic recipe distillation is carried out in special copper stills only twice. Only a few Scottish distilleries have the official right to triple distill. Another rule for preparing a true “single malt” is aging for at least three years, but many producers, if not most, allow the drink to mature in barrels for much longer.

Single malt whiskey: WWA (World Whiskies Award) rating

The World Whiskey Award was created by Whiskey Magazine. The WWA is made up of journalists, whiskey producers and retailers from around the world. It has been held since 2007 and annually ranks the best drinks available on the market.

In 2014, the jury offered more than 300 varieties of the drink, and the title of the best was awarded in 10 categories. The winner in the category "Best Single Malt Whiskey in the World - 2014" was Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask, produced in Tasmania. It’s hard to imagine a greater shock, especially since in all previous years, starting from 2007, the jury alternated between Scottish and Japanese products.

Australia

Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask.

First stills appeared here in the 19th century, but the whiskey industry began to actively develop only in the 90s of the 20th century. However, already in 2008 one of famous experts In his field, Whiskey Bible publisher Jim Murray has rated several Australian products very highly, scoring over 90 out of 100 points.

USA

Winner: Balcones Texas Single Malt.

In the United States of America, most of the product produced there is bourbon, which is considered the country's national drink. However, there are other types, for example, single malt whiskey, the rating and quality of which is no worse than Scottish and Irish varieties. It's no surprise that Balcones Texas Single Malt was recognized by the WWA as the best American whiskey.

Asia

The best is Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak, a Taiwanese single malt whiskey. The names of the product, and before that the plant, were given in honor of the Kavalan people of the same name, who once lived in the territory where the distillery is now located.

Europe

Ireland

This country is one of traditional regions whiskey production Most of the varieties produced in Ireland are triple distilled. There are only three main producers here, including Old Bushmills Distillery, which is the oldest among licensed companies in the country. The WWA announced the following winners among Irish drinks:

Connemara Peated Single Malt is the best single malt Irish whiskey in the unspecified age category;
. aged 12 years or less - Bushmills 10 Years Old;
. aging time 13-20 years - Bushmills 16 Years Old;
. 21 years of aging or more - Teeling 21 Years Old.

Japan

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the first plant for the production of “water of life” appeared only in 1923, and to this day the definition rightfully deserved by many other Japanese products - “high quality” - is quite applicable. The products of distilleries in this country are completely self-sufficient and have their own unique brand. The following varieties took the top positions in the WWA ranking:

Hakushu (in the category of drinks with unspecified aging time);
. Miyagiko 12 Years Old Sherry & Sweet (aged a dozen years or less);
. in the last two categories, Yamazaki won, aged 18 and 25 years, respectively.

South Africa - Three Ships 10 Years Old

Whiskey is very popular in South Africa, where they produce various varieties and types, including single malt, blended and others. The production of this drink on the continent began in the 19th century. The winner in 2014 is Three Ships 10 Years Old whiskey.

Scotland

Scotch single malt whiskey appeared at the end of the 18th century. Producers in this country find it useful to age whiskey in barrels for 8 to 15 years. There is an opinion that this is the period that this drink needs to acquire its special taste and aroma.

There are now six main scotch production areas in Scotland: the Highlands, the Lowlands, Isle of Isley, Campbeltown, the Islands, and Speyside.

Highlands

Geographically, this is the largest scotch production area. It starts from the town of Vic (in the northern part of the country) and ends with the Glengoyne distillery in the southern part. Nowadays, there are more than 30 distilleries operating in this region. Grlenturret, considered Scotland's oldest distillery, is also located here. The region's distilleries are Royal Lochnagar (once honored with a visit from Queen Victoria), Tomatin (considered the largest in the country), Royal Brackla, Lochside and others.

Plain

Once upon a time it was a fairly large region for the production of scotch tape. At the moment, only three distilleries are operating: Auchentoshan (practices triple distillation), Bladnoch (the southernmost distillery in the country), Glenkinchie.

Isley Island

Whiskeys from the island's distilleries are often described as "smoky" and "medicinal". The proximity of the sea gives them their own unique aroma, completely different from the aromas of scotches in the highlands or valleys. The distilleries of Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig and others are located here.

Speyside

The area near the River Spey. region are known as malty scotches with a sweet taste. This is one of the production centers in the country, it is located here greatest number distillery. Previously considered part of the highlands. The distilleries Cardhu, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and others are located here.

Islands

The region unites all the islands of the country where scotch is produced, with the exception of Islay - Arran, Mal, Jura, Orkney and Skye. The Scotch Whiskey Association considers these areas part of the Highlands. The distilleries Arran, Jura, Highland Park, Scapa and others are located here.

The following Scotch single malt whiskeys won the 2014 WWA competition (champions were determined in four categories separately for each of the five regions):

• highlands - Glenmorangie Signet, Aberfeldy 12 Years Old, Tomatin 18 Years Old, and Aberfeldy 21 Years Old;
• islands - Jura Turas Mara, The Arran Malt 10 Years Old, Tobermory 15 Years Old;
• Isle - Ardbeg Ardbog, Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old, Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old, another Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old, and Glenkinchie 12 Years Old scotch;
• Speyside - Glenfiddich Rick Oak, Benromach 10 Years Old, Glenfiddich 15 Years Old Distillery Edition, The Glenlivet XXV;
• and finally Campbeltown - Longrow, Springbank 10 Years Old, Springbank 18 Years Old.

Gold Outstanding of IWSC competitions

IWSC is an international spirits competition that has been held every year since 1969. This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of alcohol, and it has one unique feature - every drink participating in the competition undergoes mandatory technical analysis for compliance with EU standards. The IWSC uses “blind tasting” - drinks are served to the jury in identical containers without any identifying features in order to achieve maximum objectivity in the assessment.

The IWSC awards several awards at various levels. The most honorable is Gold Outstanding, awarded to alcohol of exceptional quality and taste. Exactly like that unique properties The whiskeys listed below are available.

The best single malt Scotch whiskey (the rating of this drink in the world is still high, despite the competition) was determined in several categories, which ultimately yielded 18 items. The "Gold Outstanding" award was given to scotch tapes selected separately for each region. Among the winners are products from Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Deanston and others.

Taiwan

There is only one in Taiwan - Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey.

The plant was built by the King Car industrial group. The corporation itself was founded in 1965 and operates in many areas - biotechnology, food, beverages. Among its most famous brands are Mr.Brown and RTD Coffee, and now Kavalan. The Kavalan distillery released its first bottle of whiskey in 2008.

In addition, the Taiwanese product has one serious advantage - thanks to the warm climate of the country, whiskey matures faster, and a drink aged three years can compete in its taste and aroma with products aged 8-15 years from Scotland and Ireland.

In 2011, the IWSC already awarded Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey - then it received a gold medal. Jim Murray in his “Whisky Bible” also did not ignore it - the high assessment of such a connoisseur is worth a lot and contributes to the well-deserved popularity of the drink.

How much do elite spirits cost?

How much will you have to pay for elite whiskey, the winner of world competitions, in the average online store? For example, Connemara Peated Single Malt is a single malt whiskey, its price fluctuates around 2,000 rubles. It is unique in that it was the first product in modern history, in the production of which peat-dried malt was used.

Taiwanese Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey sells for about 5,000 rubles. Scotch Laphroaig An Cuan Mor Single Malt Scotch Whiskey will cost connoisseurs from 5.5 thousand rubles. up to 7.5 thousand rubles. And the price of Japanese single malt whiskey only makes it more attractive - after all, the winner of many competitions and award winners costs “only” about 60 thousand rubles.