Scotch Whisky FAQ — The Most-Asked Questions Answered | The Liquor Connoisseur®
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The most-asked Scotch whisky questions — answered by Crystal and Roger of The Liquor Connoisseur®.
What is the difference between single malt and blended Scotch?
Single malt Scotch is made from 100% malted barley at a single distillery. Blended Scotch combines malt whisky from multiple distilleries with grain whisky. Single malts showcase one distillery's character; blends are crafted for consistency and approachability. Monkey Shoulder (reviewed by TLC) is a blended malt — all malt whiskies, no grain.
What are the five Scotch whisky regions and how do they differ?
Speyside: fruity, floral, honeyed — home to Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenfarclas. Highland: diverse range from light and floral to rich and peaty. Islay: heavily peated and smoky — Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore. Lowland: light, grassy, triple-distilled. Campbeltown: maritime, briny, complex — only three distilleries remain.
What does 'peated' mean in Scotch whisky?
Peated Scotch is made with barley dried over burning peat — ancient compressed organic material from Scottish bogs. The smoke from burning peat infuses the barley with phenolic compounds that create the characteristic smoky, medicinal, earthy flavors associated with Islay whiskies. Measured in PPM (parts per million phenols). Laphroaig runs around 40-45 PPM; some Islay expressions exceed 100 PPM.
What is sherry cask Scotch?
Sherry cask Scotch is aged in barrels previously used to mature Spanish sherry — most commonly Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez. The residual sherry imparts rich fruit, chocolate, dried fruit, and spice notes. Crystal and Roger explored sherry cask finishing in a two-part series with a wine expert — covering Amontillado, Fino, and PX cask types and what each one does to whisky.
What is the difference between Scotch and bourbon?
Scotch must be made in Scotland, aged at least 3 years in oak casks, and uses malted barley as the primary grain. Bourbon must be made in the US from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak containers. Scotch is typically more complex and terroir-driven; bourbon is sweeter and more approachable for new spirits drinkers.
What is a good gateway Scotch for bourbon drinkers?
Crystal and Roger's top recommendations: Monkey Shoulder (~$35) is the most accessible entry — blended malt, no peat, familiar sweetness. Jura Seven Wood (reviewed by TLC) offers layered complexity from seven cask types. For single malt beginners, Glenfiddich 12 is the industry standard starting point.
What is a NAS Scotch?
NAS stands for No Age Statement — Scotch without a specific age on the label. Not necessarily lower quality; many NAS expressions are crafted from older whiskies that the distillery wants to blend flexibly. Examples include Macallan Colour Collection and Laphroaig Select.
🥃 Want to Taste and Learn With an Expert?
Crystal and Roger lead private spirits tasting experiences — the same depth of education you just read, live and in person. Corporate tastings from $1,500. In-home tastings from $500. Virtual tastings nationwide.
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