Categories of Scotch Whisky

While 'Scotch Whisky' has a legal definition, terms such as 'Single Malt' have been, until now, governed only by industry conventions. The industry is codifying these terms to ensure consumers always receive clear and accurate information about what they are buying. 

Right blend for Scotch

After industry-wide consultation in 2004 and 2005, it was proposed to formally define the following five categories of Scotch Whisky:

Single Malt Scotch Whisky: a Scotch Whisky distilled at a single distillery (i) from water and malted barley without the addition of any other cereals, and (ii) by batch distillation in pot stills. It is also proposed that Single Malt Scotch Whisky should only be bottled in Scotland.

Single Grain Scotch Whisky: a Scotch Whisky distilled at a single distillery (i) from water and malted barley with or without whole grains of other malted or unmalted cereals, and (ii) which does not comply with the definition of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Blended Scotch Whisky: a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, which have been distilled at more than one distillery.

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky: a blend of Single Grain Scotch Whiskies, which have been distilled at more than one distillery.

One of these terms would appear as the sales description on every bottle of Scotch Whisky sold. 

Better protection

At the same time, to help protect consumers and the Scotch Whisky industry, the SWA is seeking added legal protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch Whisky production, i.e. 'Highland', 'Lowland', 'Speyside', 'Campbeltown' and 'Islay', so that these names would only appear on whiskies wholly distilled in those regions. 

Also, the proposals would ensure that a distillery name is not used as a brand name on any Scotch Whisky which has not been wholly distilled in the named distillery, as well as prevent the misleading labelling of Single Malts. 

The SWA is working with government to bring forward these proposals in a new Scotch Whisky Law.