Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve "Whisky to be called Scotch!"

@craigmcgill Craig your Utubes live on and really help to spread the word. The World of Scotch Whisky!

— Richard Paterson (@the_nose) May 21, 2014

What is Scotch Whisky?

Scotch Whisky is a distilled spirit made in Scotland from cereals, water and yeast.The current UK legislation relating specifically to Scotch Whisky is The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. The Regulations govern the production, labelling, and presentation of Scotch Whisky.

Courtesy:http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/understanding-scotch/faqs/

The origins of malt whisky distilling in Scotland are lost in the mists of antiquity. They date back at least to the monks of the 15'" century and probably long before. 

Although the distillers' art has been understood since earliest times, the subtle aromas and flavours of whisky have never been fully explained, even today. The ancient term uisge beatha, which is Gaelic for the Latin aqua vitae or 'water of life', was corrupted in the 18'" century to usky, and then to whisky. The following description is a generalisation of the process. 

THE ART OF BLENDING 

While the distinctive single malts produced by individual distilleries are becoming increasingly popular, blending creates over 90% of the Scotch whisky enjoyed throughout the world. 

By nosing samples in tulip-shaped glasses the blender selects from a wide palate - from the numerous Highland and Speyside malts to the strongly flavoured and peaty Island malts, and the softer and lighter Lowland malts. These malts are combined with grain whiskies - usually 60-80% grain whiskies to 20-40% malt whiskies, and are then left to 'marry' in casks before being bottled as one of the world-renowned blended whiskies. 

A blend of a range of malt whiskies, with no grain whisky included, is known as a blended malt. 

The way we make Scotch whisky has evolved over several centuries, but the history of Scotch whisky embraces a much wider heritage; that of Scotland and its people. 

What are the main kinds of Scotch Whisky?

There are two kinds of Scotch Whisky - Malt Whisky and Grain Whisky. The Malt Whiskies are divided into four groups according to the geographical location of the distilleries in which they are made, as follows: 

(1) Lowland Malt Whiskies, made south of an imaginary line drawn from Dundee in the east to Greenock in the west. 

(2) Highland Malt Whiskies, made north of that line. 

(3) Speyside Malt Whiskies, from the valley of the River Spey. Although these whiskies come from within the area designated as Highland Malt Whiskies, the concentration of distilleries and the specific climatic conditions produce a whisky of an identifiable character and require a separate classification. 

(4) Islay Malt Whiskies, from the island of Islay. 

Each group has its own clearly defined characteristics, ranging from the lighter Lowland Malt Whiskies to those distilled on Islay which are generally regarded as the heaviest Malt Whiskies. 

Malt Whiskies, which differ considerably in flavour according to the distillery from which they come, have a more pronounced bouquet and flavour than the Grain Whiskies. The production of Grain Whisky is not so influenced by geographical factors and it may be distilled anywhere in Scotland. 

Courtesy: http://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/scotch-whisky/whisky-making.php

Part of a series prepared for Ginger Claps Black Dog Triple Gold Reserve Scotch Blogging experience!!!  

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