Scotch which is best

For whiskey to be scotch, it must be made in Scotland. Like all whiskey, scotch is distilled from grain. In order to access its starch which the yeast will convert into sugar during fermentation , the grain is malted, or soaked, so that it sprouts. The sprouted grain, or malt, is then dried in wood- or a peat-fired kiln. Next, it is milled, mixed with hot water, and fermented.

The distillate that comes off the still is then aged in barrels, often for many years, to produce the deep, intense spirit we call scotch.

Scotch made from malted barley at a single distillery is called single malt scotch. Blended scotches are produced by blending single malt with whisky made from other grains. Highland scotches tend to be sweeter than smoky island scotches made from peated malt.

Finally, there are the barrels. Used sherry casks impart different flavors than bourbon barrels, and the number of years a scotch spends in the barrel distinguishes it too. Betsy Andrews has been writing about wine and spirits for two decades.

It was a true taste of history. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.

Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The 13 Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink in The finest bottles of Scotland's premier spirit from blended to singles malts. By Betsy Andrews. Betsy Andrews. Betsy Andrews is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food, travel, and the environment. Despite being the second-largest area in terms of scale, there are fewer than five Lowland distilleries in operation today.

While many Lowland distilleries have been producing whisky exclusively for blends, Auchentoshan has ignited something of a regional revival. This American Oak, expression, for instance, is a traditional, triple-distilled single malt that was aged exclusively in first-fill bourbon casks.

As such, it makes for an ideal warm-weather dram, balancing its Scotch smokiness with a bit of light whiskey-like vanilla flavor. Between the lemony-oak flavors and the easy-drinking mouthfeel, some even see it as a potential replacement for a glass of white wine. HiConsumption is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Learn more. Posted By Johnny Brayson. Posted By Adam Santa Maria. The world-famous luxury menswear retailer forays into the fine spirits space with the Scotch Whisky icon. Skip to content. Photo: Glenlivet Year. Gray Van Dyke Sep 20, Peated And Smoke-Forward Islay. Sweet And Sherried Speyside. McCoy is a big fan of Lagavulin, an Islay distillery that produces some nicely peated scotch. Finishing whisky in a rum cask might not be as popular as sherry or wine casks within the single malt scotch category, but there are some benefits.

A rum barrel brings new flavors to the mix, like banana, brown sugar and cocoa. Region: Highlands ABV: Many scotch distilleries finish their whiskies in port pipes—huge wooden vessels that previously held port, and named for the Portuguese word "pipa," or cask—which provides a different way to enhance the flavor of a whisky. Glenmorangie offers a wide selection of whiskies, from the year-old core expression to some incredibly expensive vintages.

Although the Signet single malt does not bear an age statement, it does not need one and as expert whiskey drinkers know, age is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

This year-old expression from Glenfiddich, one of the biggest names in scotch whisky, is both affordable and readily accessible. Distinctive notes of pear and green apple define this classic whisky, which has been matured in bourbon and sherry casks before being married together in a large tun. This approachable whisky is perfect for any novice to the category, as it also works well in cocktails.

The best overall single malt scotch, in a very competitive field, is Aberlour This whisky combines the best flavors of bourbon and sherry cask maturation and provides the best complexity of flavor and palate for its price range. Single malt scotch is defined as whisky that is made in Scotland at one distillery from a mash bill of percent malted barley. It must be aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.

Barley grains are malted germinated and then dried to stop the process—sometimes using peat as a heat source to infuse the grain with a smoky flavor. The barley is then milled and combined with water and cooked to release the sugars. Yeast is then added to the liquid, now called wash, and it is put into large vessels to ferment. Next, the wash is distilled in pot stills at least twice, which heats the alcohol and turns it into vapor.

This vapor is captured and cooled so it returns to a liquid form with an increasingly higher ABV. Finally, the new make spirit is put into oak barrels and stored in warehouses for a minimum of three years, but usually much longer than that.

Sometimes caramel color is added to maintain consistency. After that, go ahead and add ice if you like, or even use it in a cocktail if you prefer. This roundup was edited by Jesse Porter , who finds that keeping a bottle of scotch on his desk next to his computer helps improve his overall workflow and thus writes it off monthly as a business expense.

Jonah Flicker is an experienced writer who has been covering spirits and traveling the world visiting distilleries to taste and discover for years. His work has appeared in many different national outlets covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits. His first love remains whiskey, but he is partial to tequila, rum, gin, cognac, and all things distilled.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.