Types of Scotch Whisky – The Big 5 Singles and Blends

Everyone has heard of Scotch whisky, although the differences in certain stages of production result in different categories within the term “Scotch”. There are five types of Scotch whisky by method of production, plus five types of Scotch whisky regarding the region in which they are made.

To begin with, there are two main categories: Single and Blended. And within these categories, 5 types come up to better classify the whisky you are buying or drinking: Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Scotch, Blended Malt and Blended Grain. All these are Scotch whisky, and all of them are worth tasting.

In this article, we’ll go through each one of them, we’ll show you the differences and recommend classic expressions and new players you should definitely taste.

What does it take to be Scotch Whisky? – The Regulations

When you think about whisky, one of the first countries that comes to mind is Scotland. The place of birth of this beverage is an unavoidable name in the global whisky production.

Scotch Whisky is the most popular and well-known spirit worldwide. And, if all Scotch whisky is whisky, not all whisky is Scotch. To be labelled Scotch whisky, a distillery must follow non-negotiable regulations, just like other famous beverages such as Champagne or Port.

To be authentic Scotch whisky, distilleries must:

• Distil, mature and bottle the spirit in Scotland, with a few exceptions for the maturation process, but it has to occur in “permitted places” controlled by the UK Revenue & Customs.
• Mature the spirit for at least three years in oak casks.
• Use only the following ingredients: water, cereal grains, and yeast; no additives except E150A (plain caramel colouring).
• Distil the spirit with a maximum alcohol strength of 94,8% by volume (ABV).
• Bottle the spirit with a minimum of 40% ABV.
• Be aware that the scent and taste of the spirit have to derive from its raw materials and production, and nothing else.
• Export Single Malt Scotch from Scotland for retail only, and not in bulk.

Of course, it is perfectly possible to make versions of this type of whisky elsewhere. However, the specific characteristics of Scotland’s territory help produce such a unique whisky that it becomes impossible to produce Scotch whisky in another part of the world.

These regulations are crucial for protecting both consumers and distilleries, as they protect the geographical indication of the whisky itself.

The Different Types of Scotch Whisky – The regions

As stated before, within the umbrella term “Scotch Whisky”, there are 10 more designations, each of which is regulated and has characteristics that make it unique. Before heading to the production-related designations – which is the main theme of this article -, we’ll quickly review the designations regarding Scotland’s whisky-producing regions.

What are the 5 regions of Scotch?

Scotch whisky is divided into five major whisky-producing regions: Highland, Lowland, Islay, Speyside and Campbeltown. Each of these regions produces whiskies that are different in flavor profiles and overall character.

• Highland – Mostly light-bodied whiskies, with smooth character and little influence of peat or smoke.
• Lowland – Smaller production of more complex whisky, with light body and citrus influence.
• Islay – Usually produces smoky or peated scotch whisky, with an earthy character.
• Speyside – Produces most of the whisky on the market, and most of the expressions are light-bodied, with a sweeter and spicier character.
• Campbeltown – Known for producing strong smoky Scotch, with hints of sea salt.

Get to know more about all these whisky-producing regions in our Article: The 5 corners of Scotch Whisky – A Tour Around Scotland

The Five Types of Scotch – Ingredients, Production and Other Materials

After reviewing the 5 regions of Scotch and how these terroirs influence the flavor of Scotch whisky, it’s time for the core of this article and the reason why you opened this page.

Scotch whisky is categorized into two main categories: Single and Blended. These terms indicate if the whisky in the bottle comes from one or more distilleries. That is:

• “Single” indicates that all the whisky in the bottle is from just one distillery.
• “Blended” means that the spirit comes from more than one distillery, to be mixed and “rested” in vats to become harmonized.

It’s within these main categories that 5 different designations come up: Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Scotch, Blended Malt, and Blended Grain Scotch whisky.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

In short, a Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a spirit produced entirely from malted barley, in a single distillery located in one of the 5 Scotch Regions, and matured in oak casks for at least three years.

However, there is quite a lot more to say about one of the most well-known types of Scotch whisky.
Considered the high pitch of the whisky world, a single malt, this type of Scotch is produced meticulously by centenary distilleries and master distillers who, most possibly, dedicated their life to Single Malt Scotch whisky.

You might have heard about Glenfiddich, Talisker, Auchentoshan, Ardbeg, and Dalmore, for instance. These are all Single Malt Scotch whisky brands and distilleries, and they have all been awarded for the flavourful spirits they produce.

Check out our article about What Is Single Malt Whisky for more information on this type of Scotch!

How single malt whisky is made

To make a Single Malt Scotch, you only need three ingredients: Malted barley, yeast, and water. But for a spirit to become a Single Malt, there are a lot more steps to follow and years of waiting.

The entire process is tightly regulated, and each distillery may add unique touches, since every step contributes a bit of flavour to the whisky. The core steps, however, remain the same throughout Scotland.

Here are the steps and their influence on the spirit that will be bottled:

1. Malting:
   • Barley is soaked with spring water and left to germinate.
   • It is then dried in a kiln. Some distilleries might use peat to dry the barley and impart smoky flavors.
2. Mashing:
   • Grinding the malted barley into grist and mixing it with hot water in a mash tun
   • The starches are then converted into sugars, producing a sweet liquid called wort.​
3. Fermentation:
   • The wort is cooled, and yeast is added in large washbacks
   • Sugars are converted into alcohol in this stage, resulting in a “wash” of 6–8% ABV.​
   • This part of the process is almost like brewing to produce beer. But since whisky is a spirit, distillation is a must.
4. Distillation:
   • The wash is distilled in copper pot stills.
   • The first distillation makes a lower-strength “low wine”, and it is the second that creates the spirit used for whisky.
5. Maturation:
   • The distilled spirit is aged in oak casks in a Scottish terroir for at least three years
   • The years in the casks are what make the spirit develop color, density and complex flavors​.
6. Bottling:
   • The whisky is bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV.​

The best single malt scotch expressions

• Craigellachie 13 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch – Combines the Speyside production tradition with a maturation phase in ex-Armagnac barrels, resulting in a Scotch whisky rich in dried fruits and spice, as well as toasted oak and pineapple.
• Clydeside Stobcross Single Malt Scotch – A Single Malt Scotch from the Lowlands that is becoming more popular. Regarding the flavour notes, it is fruity, floral and rich in vanilla
• Ardbeg 10 Years Old – A classic among the Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the Ardbeg Ten Years is produced in Islay, and it is rich in smoke aromas and peat flavours.
• Glen Scotia 15 Year Old – With an oily mouthfeel, this Campbeltown Single Malt is rich in spice and vanilla while having some hints of sea salt.
• Glenmorangie Nectar D’or – With a maturation finish in Saturnes Casks, this Highland Single Malt is a complex whisky full of tropical fruit and honey flavour notes.
• Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask GTR 25 Years Old – The winner of Best Single Malt Scotch at the 2025 International Whisky Competition, this Scotch finishes its maturation in sherry casks, providing its smoothness and depth.

Get to know more Single Malt Scotch Whisky Brands: https://www.whiskyflavour.com/blog/best-single-malt-scotch-whisky-brands/

Single Grain Scotch Whisky

Not as well-known as Single Malt Scotch whisky or even Blended Scotch, but equally an important player in the Scotch whisky world. The single grain is a Scotch that doesn’t need to be in the spotlight, and that may be the reason it is one of the types of whisky used in Blended Scotch. However, if there are reasons to blend Single Grain, there are many other reasons to let it shine on its own.

So, what is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky? It’s a spirit produced in a single distillery, made from malted barley mixed with another type of cereal (malted or unmalted), such as wheat, corn or rye. The distillation process is also different from most Scotch whiskies: the Single Grain is distilled in Coffey (column) stills.
Like all Scotch whisky, it has to be produced and bottled in Scotland and aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels.

The ingredients used and the distillation process make this spirit have a lighter body and a sweeter flavor profile. When it is well-matured, this is one of the most delicate and fruity types of Scotch whisky.

The differences between a Single Malt and a Single Grain

Single Malt whiskies, for instance, are made from malted barley, while single grain whiskies combine malted barley and other cereals in their mash. And, as single malt whiskies are distilled in copper pot stills, Single Grain whiskies are distilled in Coffey stills.

And, although an expression may be made of 100% malted barley, if it is distilled in column stills, it may be labelled “Single Grain” anyway. Spearhead is the perfect example of one of this expressions.

Single Grain Scotch Whisky Brands

If Single Grain is a type of Scotch whisky that doesn’t sound very familiar to you, maybe these brands and expressions will ring a bell.

• Loch Lomond – Possibly, the most versatile Scotch whisky brand when it comes to producing Single Grain Scotch whisky expressions. We highlight the Loch Lomond Peated Single Grain Whisky, from the “Grainstorm” range, that received Double Gold in the 2024 World Spirits Competition. This expression has a sweet and complex character, with notes of fruit, vanilla, and smoke.
• Haig Club – A highly popular Single Grain Scotch whisky produced in the Lowland Region of Scotland. This spirit is one of the smoothest Single Grains since 90% of the mash is wheat and only 10% is malted barley. This Scotch is rich in sweet flavours like vanilla, honey, and sweet cereals, as it has hints of cinnamon.
• Muckety Muck – Part of the Orphan Barrel company, this brand produces one of the most aged Single Grains in the market – the Muckety Muck 26 Years Single Grain Scotch Whisky. With a sweet and oaky character, this expression has fruity and butterscotch vanilla notes.
• Caledonian ‘The Cally’ 40 Years Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky – A big name that carries a big legacy. This expression is a limited release of a forgotten distillery and, since it is matured for so long, it is even rarer. With a medium body and sweet profile, this spirit has flavour notes that go from Coconut to Werther’s Originals, from caramel to oak spice and cinnamon.

Blended Scotch Whisky

A Blended Scotch is a spirit made with whisky expressions that come from more than one distillery. Usually, they are made from at least one Single Malt Scotch whisky and one Single Grain Scotch. These two types of scotch whisky are combined in precise proportions to create a spirit that is consistent in flavour and has a balanced, smooth character.

Although they are not matured after the blending, some brands use older Scotch whiskies in their blend. In that case, the age statement present on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the blend. Besides, some brands may still put the spirit in casks for a distinct finish or just to harmonize flavor.

Is it getting confusing? Luckily, we’ve written an entire guide on Blended Scotch Whisky. If you prefer to read a shorter version, stay on this article.

Single Malt vs Blended Scotch Whisky

There are a lot of differences between these two types of Scotch whisky, but there are a lot of similarities too.

To start with, Single Malt whisky is produced, matured and bottled in a single distillery, while Blended Scotch uses whisky expressions from two or more Scottish distilleries. Besides, Single Malt is produced from a malted barley mash, while Blended Malt uses both Single Malt and Single Grain expressions.

Besides these differences, they both have to be matured for 3 years in oak casks, produced and bottled in Scotland, and bottled at a minimum of 40º ABV.

Premium Blended Scotch Whisky

As one of the most commercialised types of Scotch whisky, finding Blended Scotch is quite easy. The hardest part may be finding premium Blended Scotch whisky brands and the expressions that will make anyone discover the complexity of this whisky and truly appreciate it.

So, these are our recommendations:

• Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old – Being double-aged (and given that the youngest expression blended is a 21 Years Old), it has a highly complex character, and it was awarded several times because of it. It is the flavor notes of honey, dried fruits, vanilla, and spices.
• Chivas Regal 18 Year Old – The youngest expression in the blend is an 18-year-old, which makes this expression truly unique. It is balanced, smooth and caramel and chocolate flavor that lasts for a long time in the mouth.
• Buchanan’s 15 Years Old – With a smooth, deep profile, this Buchanan’s expression is rich in dried fruits and vanilla, and has a long finish.
• The Dimple 15 Years Old – The Dimple is already a classic, but this expression brings something more to the table: with over 15 single malts and single grains in its blend, this expression couldn’t be more complex. Its character is creamy and fruity, with flavour notes of vanilla and spice.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Here’s where the types of Scotch whisky can get a little bit tricky. If there is a Single Malt and a Single Grain, it is just plausible that a Blended Malt and a Blended Grain exist. But what is the difference between those and a Blended Scotch? That’s what we’ll describe in these two sections.

In the past, they were known by other designations: vatted malt or pure malt. Nowadays, this type of Scotch whisky is regulated, and it should be labelled as Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. In terms of commerce, Blended Malt brands and expressions are close to Blended Scotch, especially in the commercialisation of the most premium Scotch whisky of this kind.

As the name suggests, a Blended Malt Scotch whisky is simply a mix of two or more Single Malt Scotch whiskies, produced in separate distilleries. And, as one of the types of Scotch whisky, all expressions used in the blend must be matured in Scotland for at least 3 years in oak casks.

Since Blended Malt scotch whiskies are created with only Single Malt scotch expressions, those usually have complex profiles, sweet and smooth characters, and may be rich in peaty flavours.

The Difference Between Blended Scotch and Blended Malt Whisky

In short, the difference between a Blended Scotch and a Blended Malt relies on the types of Scotch whisky used in the blend.

To produce a Blended Scotch, master blenders must choose more than two single malt expressions and more than two single grain expressions to blend. In the case of Blended Malt Scotch, they must only mix Single Malt Scotch expressions.

Regarding the character of both types of Scotch whisky, the blended Scotch is usually smoother and has more balanced flavours. In its turn, Blended Malt Scotch is usually more complex and robust, with richer flavour notes.

Blended malt scotch whisky brands

If you think you have never found the designation “Blended Malt Scotch”, we are sure you’ll recognize it as you go through the following recommendations:

• Compass Box Orchard House – The selection of Single Malt expressions rich in fruity flavours makes this a vibrant and fresh expression, with hints of honey.
• Macnair’s Lum Reek Peated Blended Malt 12 Year – Combining malts from Islay and Speyside, this small batch expression is as pungent as it is warm. Its character relies on balanced smoke, citrus, and spice flavour notes.​
• Usquaebach An Ard Ri’ Cask Strength – With more than 20 Single Malts in its recipe, this Scotch Whisky is produced in limited batches. Regarding its profile, it is sweet and warm, with notes of almonds, cherries, and dark chocolate.
• Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt – Modern and already well known (especially among bartenders), the original expression of this brand is rich in vanilla, honey, citrus and oak spices.

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

Possibly one of the rarest types of Scotch whisky, the Blended Grain is a blend made exclusively with Single Grain Scotch Whisky expressions from two or more distilleries.

To produce this type of whisky, master blenders choose Single Grain Scotch whisky, which is made with various grain types besides malted barley, such as maize, rye and/or wheat.

These expressions are usually lighter and smoother than Single Malts, and after blending them, the final product is even creamier and gentler than other blends. It is also frequent to find Blended Grain expressions with sweeter flavour profiles, rich in vanilla and soft spice flavour notes.

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky Brains

• Compass Box Hedonism Blended Grain Scotch Whisky – An award-winning Blended Grain that is the perfect introduction to this type of Scotch whisky. This expression has a creamy flavour with notes of toffee, coconut and vanilla.
• 808 Blended Grain Scotch Whisky – With a lighter profile, rich in honey, vanilla and chocolate notes, is a Blended Grain created by a music producer to be served neat or in cocktails.
• The Exceptional Grain by Sutcliffe & Son Blended Grain Scotch Whisky – Finished in 1st-fill Oloroso Sherry casks, this is a rare whisky among all types of Scotch whisky. This expression is complex, smooth and creamy, rich in vanilla, citrus, toasted oak and hints of spices.
• Grant’s Elementary Oxygen 8 Years Old – A sweet, soft, and warm whisky expression with spicy flavour notes, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. The blend features Scotch whisky expressions aged for more than 8 years and vacuum-distilled single grain whiskies to ensure all those flavours and aromas.

The Finish of this Article

• To become Scotch whisky, a spirit must be distilled, matured and bottled in Scotland for at least 3 years in oak barrels. It must be made exclusively with water, cereal grains and yeast. It must also be bottled at 40º ABV, minimum.
• Regarding labels, the word “Single” means that all whisky in that bottle comes from the same distillery, while “Blended” means that the spirit comes from distinct distilleries.
• Regarding production, these are the different types of Scotch whisky:
  • Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a type of Scotch produced entirely from malted barley, in a single distillery.
  • Single Grain Scotch Whisky is made in a single distillery, from a mix of malted barley and other types of cereals like wheat, corn or rye, and distilled in Coffey Stills.
  • Blended Scotch Whisky is made with at least one Single Malt and one Single Grain coming from different distilleries.
  • Blended Malt Scotch whisky is the mix of two or more Single Malt Scotch whiskies, produced in separate distilleries.
  • Blended Grain is the exclusive blend of Single Grain Scotch Whisky expressions from two or more distilleries.