Difference Between Single Malt and Blended Scotch

Single Malt vs Blended Scotch

Many are confused about the difference between a single malt whiskey and the blended Scotch. Actually, there’s no reason to be confused because the difference is quite simple.

The blended Scotch is a mixture of several grains like wheat and rye and comes from varied producers (distillers). If the age of the whiskey is to be indicated on the label, the law is quite strict as it will require a certain aging. For example, a certain whiskey should not be lower than three years of age, and its actual age must correspond to the youngest whisky added to the blend. When you hear the term “whiskey,” chances are this is the blended type.

Single malt is named as such because this product comes from only one type of distillery. Only a single production process is needed to make this kind of product as there’s no need to mix in some other blends. It uses one type of pure malted grain – like rye or barley (traditionally). Experts say that the single malt tastes better as they age. But they must be kept in their original oak casks as bottling this beverage halts the maturation process (unlike your typical wine).

If you have an expert taste for alcohol, you might love to savor all the single malt preparations available which set a clear demarcation with each other. This uniqueness is attributed to the specific place or region where the beverage has been processed. Each product has its own unique taste. When you taste one type of malt, you actually taste the geography of the alcohol.

Most Scotch blends hail from Canada, Ireland, Scotland and even Japan. Perhaps the most well-known blended whisky in the world is Black Label (Johnny Walker). Often, blended Scotch is mass produced, but this does not mean that it always comes cheap. But because of its purity, most single-malt whiskies are more expensive than the generic blends. That’s why the true Scotch enthusiast regards blended whisky as an inferior spirit compared to single-malt Scotch. Still, many continue to argue that blending several whiskies creates a smoother preparation with more unique tastes.

Summary:

1.Blended Scotch uses several grains while single malt uses only one type of malted grain, usually barley.
2.Blended Scotch mixes several whiskies and undergoes many mixing processes compared to single malt that only undergoes a single continuous processing.
3.Blended Scotch comes from many types of distilleries compared to a single malt that is made from only one.
4.Most single-malt whiskies are pricier than the blended Scotch. Ironically, 90% of all single-malt preparations are now being used to make the blends since the latter has become more popular internationally.

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