Common conditions for becoming a Scotch
Scotch whisky is a legally protected name. It must be saccharified, fermented and distilled in Scotland using grain, water and yeast and aged in Scotland. It is distilled to less than 94.8% ABV to retain the aroma and taste derived from the raw materials and manufacturing method, and aged at least 3 years in oak casks of 700 liters or less. Bottling strength must be 40% ABV or higher.
No substances other than water and plain, flavorless caramel coloring can be added to the finished Scotch whisky.
Five types prescribed by law
| Sales name | Key Terms |
|---|---|
| Single Malt Scotch whisky | One distillery batch distills in a pot still using only water and malted barley |
| Single Grain Scotch whisky | Produced by one distillery, may use other grains along with malted barley |
| Blended Malt Scotch whisky | Blending single malts from two or more distilleries |
| Blended Grain Scotch whisky | Blending single grains from two or more distilleries |
| Blended Scotch whisky | Blending one or more single malts with one or more single grains |
single means one distillery, not one cask. A blend of multiple casks from the same distillery can result in a single malt or single grain. Pure Malt is not a legal selling name.
How are regional names used?
The areas protected by law are Highland, Lowland, Speyside and the protected localities are Campbeltown, Islay. Only Scotch whisky distilled in that region may use its name as a regional designation. The collective term 'Islands' is a useful geographical description, but is not a separate protected area under the 2009 regulations.
Region tells you where it's produced, but it doesn't guarantee taste. Even within the same region, flavors vary greatly depending on the malt, fermentation, still, cut, cask and warehouse environment.
Number of years and vintage notation
- If the number of years is indicated, it refers to the age of the youngest juice mixed in the bottle.
- Ages only include time spent in oak casks and no further maturation in bottle.
- When whiskies of different ages are combined, the label cannot state an age higher than that of the youngest whisky.
- When indicating the year of distillation, only the concentrate distilled in the indicated year must be used and the information required by regulations must also be indicated.
- NAS products must also meet the common condition of Scotch whisky, which is aging for at least 3 years.
Check the label first
First check the legal sales name, alcohol content, capacity, country of origin, and age. Single Cask, Cask Strength, Natural Color and Non-Chill Filtered are not the five statutory types, but rather additional information describing the production/bottling method. Single malt Scotch whisky must be bottled in Scotland.
This document is a guide to reading the regulations and is not legal advice. For actual product launch and label review, you must check the latest legal text and guidelines from the responsible agency.