Scotch Whisky Collection
Single malts and blends drawn from Speyside, the Highlands and the peat-soaked shores of Islay. Sherry cask richness, coastal smoke and everything in between.
Bottle comparison
Five of the collection’s most popular bottles, with the essential details gathered in one view.
Frequently asked
The questions shoppers search for most often about this category, answered plainly.
Scotch is whisky made in Scotland from water, yeast, and grain. To carry the name, it must be distilled and matured in Scotland, aged in oak barrels for at least three years, and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume. Single malt uses malted barley at one distillery, while grain and blended Scotch can incorporate other cereals. Many expressions are smoky from peat, though smoke is not universal.
Whiskey is the broad category, while Scotch and bourbon are specific types governed by regional production rules. Whiskey is distilled from fermented grain and aged in wooden barrels. Scotch must be made in Scotland, typically from barley, and aged in oak for at least three years. Bourbon is an American whiskey made from at least 51% corn and matured in brand-new, charred oak barrels. Every Scotch and bourbon is whiskey, but not every whiskey is either one.
Scotch is made from water, yeast, and cereals. Malted barley is the defining grain in single malt Scotch, while grain and blended styles may also use cereals such as wheat or corn. Yeast converts the grain’s sugars into alcohol before distillation. The spirit must then be matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years to qualify as Scotch whisky.
Scotch can taste malty, fruity, floral, oaky, earthy, or smoky, depending on the whisky. Common notes include cereal, nuts, vanilla, caramel, spice, honey, apples, pears, and dried fruit. Peated Scotch can bring campfire smoke and earthy flavors. Speyside styles are often sweet and fruity, Islay whiskies can be heavily smoky and briny, and Highland Scotch commonly balances honey, ripe fruit, oak, and smoke.
A good Scotch is one whose flavor and style suit how you plan to enjoy it. For little or no smoke, consider a smooth, fruity Speyside profile. For bold peat smoke, explore an Islay single malt. A balanced blended Scotch can offer dark fruit, vanilla, and gentler smoke, while a blended malt with vanilla and honey notes may work for sipping or mixing. Start by choosing your preferred level of smoke and sweetness.
