subject: The Production Of Single Malt Whisky In Scotland - A History [print this page] History of Whisky History of Whisky
Around 2000 BC in ancient Babylon is possible that the distillation process was started. This was really for whisky but for perfumes. Around the start of the 13th century the art of distilling spirits was developed around the 13th century in Italy, where wine was distilled to extract the alcohol. From there the practice spread to Ireland and Scotland.
The word 'whisky' literally means "water of life" in the Gaelic language (the language spoken by the Irish and Scots). The process of art of distilling grains then was probably passed from the Christian missionary monks who came from Ireland to Scotland. No one can be certain just when the drink from distilled grains was produced, although the Socts claim to have the earliest recorded accounts of distilling spirits,
In order for a whisky to be called 'Scotch Whisky' it has to have been produced in Scotland and have been matured in wooden casks, on Scottish ground, for at least 3 years. Whisky is produced in other countries and the spelling of it depends on where it is produced for example from Irish and US distilled spirits is spelled whiskey. Whiskey's from the US and Ireland has a different spelling. Whereas whiskies produced also in Canada and Japan do not have the 'e' at the end. Many countries produce their own whiskies, but nothing can is quite the same as a fine Scotch single malt.
What Are The Necessary Ingredients for High Quality Scotch Whisky?
The 3 main ingredients for good quality Scotch single malt are: pure water, barley and peat. Scotland has all three of these factors in abundance. Because of the wet The Scottish climate high quality barley crops are produced. Most Scottish whisky producers prefer to use Scottish barley produced locally, but this is not the most important factor. It's the sugar content that is necessary for high grade single malt whisky it should be high. The springs and water sources in Scotland have a high peat content and it is clean and pure. The water in Scotland is naturally 'soft', it is in abundance and is naturally filtered through peat. All of these three factors together means that Scotland produces single malt whisky with a very unique taste.
Single Malt Whisky or Blended Whisky?
The 2 main types of Scotch whisky are blended whiskies and single malt whiskies. In the past few years some whisky producers have been selling 'grain whisky'. Whisky that is sold as 'Scotch Whisky' must have been matured in oak casks for no less than 3 years. Whisky, unlike wine, doesn't mature while being kept in the bottles. The maturation takes place in the casks, where about 2% evaporates each year (called the angels share).
A blended whisky is a blend of different whiskies, from different distilleries combined with a grain whisky. On the bottle, the age of the blend will be the youngest malt whisky used. Very high quality blends contain much older whiskies than three years, some contain malts that have been matured in casks for 50 years!
A single malt Scotch whisky will come from just one distillery and not be blended whiskies from other distilleries or with grain whiskies. Good quality single malt whiskies are usually matured for between 8 and 10 years. The older single malts will have a smoother the flavour.
What is best a single malt whisky or blend? Opinion is divided. Certainly a high quality blend whisky cost a lot more than a single malt. This is because it has older malt whiskies in the blend and it results in a richer flavour and smoother taste. Generally, single malts are the best whiskies.
When it involves whisky there's nothing like scotch whisky (or, as we say in Scotland "a wee dram"). Whisky retains it's unique and original flavour which throughout the centuries hasn't changed.
To see a extensive range of quality Scotch whiskies visit a whisky exchange or whisky shop.
If you want to find out more about single malt whisky, then visit the Single Malt Whisky Shop. There you can find out more about a whisky exchange and single malt whisky. Visit the Whisky Shop
