Beginners Guide to Scotch Whisky

For many Scotch is an acquired taste but if you’ve already warmed up to bourbon, getting to know and appreciate Scotch is a worthy endeavor. Some whisky drinkers may argue that Scotch has more flavor diversity than American whiskey. If you’re a bourbon fan, you may be ready to meet me in an alley with rolled-up sleeves. But with the birth of the new American Single Malt Whiskey official category, single malt whisky is about to have its moment in the U.S. So if for no other reason, getting accustomed to the flavor profiles of this historic whisky category can offer you a reference to better understand the profiles of single malt and blended malt whiskies.

The water of life

The word whisky comes from the Gaelic ‘uisge beatha’ or ‘usquebaugh’ which means water of life. Most American whiskey is spelled with the (e) while most whisky produced in other parts of the world are spelled without the (e).

Scotland has five main whisky-making regions:

 Speyside
 Lowland
 Highland
 Campbeltown
 Islay

The basic rules of Scotch whisky are that it must be made from cereal grains, water, and yeast in the country of Scotland. This means it is mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured in Scotland, and it must be matured in oak casks for at least three years. Producers can add coloring to Scotch whisky but not flavor or sweeten it.

Single Malt Scotch whisky goes a few steps further: it must be made from 100% malted barley and distilled in pot stills at a single distillery. Blended Scotch whisky can be a blend of single malt or single grain whiskies from different distilleries. This is where the art comes into play. Blending is a complicated process that requires a masterful approach to balance flavors and profiles. If anyone tries to tell you that all blended Scotch whisky is subpar, they can meet me in the alley for a fist-to-cuff session.

But the Smoke!

If you’re wary of the smoky profile of Scotch whisky, I am here to ease your mind. Not all Scotch whisky is smoky. Not all American whiskey tastes like Jack Daniels; the same goes for Scotch whisky. The smoky flavors in some Scotch whiskey come from peat. Historically, peat was a fuel source, especially on islands with sparse trees and timber. Peat can be used as a fuel source to dry out and malt barley during the whisky-making process. So, some Scotch whisky retains its smoky flavor from this process. That might typically be whisky from places like Campbelltown and Islay. If you’re not into smoky peated whisky, never fear; there are oodles of whiskies on the market that are not peated. For example, whiskies from the Lowlands are known for having soft profiles and being lighter in character, full of sweet and creamy flavors with gentle baking spices and florals. The Highlands produce diverse characters with salted malt or notes or baked goods flavors. Speyside, the world’s most densely populated whisky region, is known for its glens. Expect tree fruit flavors like apples and pears with many whiskies from Speyside matured in ex-Sherry casks, adding sweet jam-like flavors.

If you’re still concerned about the smoke level in Scotch whisky, there is a way to know how peated a whisky might be. It’s called the ppm scale. Similar to the International Bitterness Units (IBU) measurement for beer, which indicates how bitter a beer might be due to the use of hops in the beer-making process. Scotch whisky has the parts per million or ppm scale. PPM is a measurement of phenol content in malted barley after kilning. The phenolic compound in peat smoke is what gives whisky its smoky flavor. PPM is not exactly a science related to how you might taste the peaty flavors, but it’s a helpful tool.

Six whiskies to get you started

It’s easier than ever to acquaint yourself with this whisky category without breaking the bank. Check out this selection of six Scotch whiskies to get you started.

The Glenlivet 12 Single Malt

MSRP $49.99 | 80 Proof

The Glenlivet is an excellent example of a Speyside whisky, a region that hosts over half of the distilleries in Scotland. Known for its light, sweet, and honeyed profiles, you typically don’t find heavily peated whiskies in this region. The Glenlivet distillery is over 200 years old, gaining its legal distilling license in 1824. So it’s safe to say the folks at Glenlivet know a thing or two about whisky. Known for its smooth and approachable profile, this double oaked whisky it’s a perfect choice for new Scotch whisky drinkers. Expect tropical fruits on the nose and fresh peaches and pears with vanilla and hazelnuts on the palate, ending with a fruity and warm finish. Highly approachable without skimping on flavor. Perfect for sipping neat or in a highball.

The smoke meter says 0.

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

MSRP $39.99 | 80 Proof

John Dewar & Sons founded the Aberfeldy Distillery in the Scottish Highlands in 1896. Dewar was born a stone’s throw from the distillery. The Dewar brand would become a global powerhouse in the whisky world. Dewar’s introduced the Aberfeldy whisky range in 2014 as a new permanent addition to their profile, known for its approachability and handcrafted qualities. This whisky delivers on aroma with baking spices and honey on the nose. Expect a viscous mouthfeel with flavors of vanilla, warm honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg on the palate. The finish is smooth with a light smoky flavor, not peated smoke, more similar to barrel char like you might experience in some bourbons.

This whisky makes a great Old Fashioned, try it with a honey syrup and orange bitters to complement the profile and take advantage of all the flavors this whisky offers.

Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year Single Malt

MSRP $48.99 | 80 Proof

This whisky is approved by Hans Solo. Need I say more? Not a Star Wars fan? Indiana Jones?

You may have seen the recent commercials and social media ads featuring Harrison Ford; should that be a deciding factor? Of course not, but I like the idea of sipping on the same whisky that Hans Solo sips on.

Glenmorangie is another historic Scotch whiskey brand that has been cranking out great whiskey since the late 1800s in Tain, which is in the Highlands of Scotland. This single malt whisky is the brand’s signature, aged in ex-bourbon casks for twelve years. You can expect honey and creme brulee with ripe peaches, citrus, and a sweet and creamy finish.

This whisky is an excellent choice for neat sipping, and it doesn’t take much to turn a cocktail into gold with this whisky. Its approachability is a win for new whisky drinkers and those still learning about the Scotch whisky category.

The smoke meter says 0.

Oban Little Bay Single Malt

MSRP $41.99 | 86 Proof

The Oban distillery is one of the smallest Scotch distilleries, located in the Scottish west coast port of Oban. The distillery was built in 1794 on the edge of the sea before the town of Oban even had a name. Oban whisky is described as a West Highland flavor that is highly drinkable, with rich fruity flavors and a slightly smoky profile with hints of salinity from the salty air. Even though this whisky has bold flavors and complex profile, it’s an excellent whisky for exploring more regional styles of Scotch whisky. The nose has big fruit flavors with a hint of baking spices. Expect flavors of oranges and fruit cake with crisp citrus and salted dark chocolate in the finish. Many whisky lovers consider this Oban expression underrated.

The smoke meter says 2.

The smoky stuff.

One cannot leave out some of the famous peated Scotch whiskies. Just because you may be new to the category, that doesn’t mean you won’t like smoky whisky. If you’re a fan of smoky BBQ, or a lover of cigars, peated whisky might be right up your alley. Or, it may just take a bit of time to work your way into the smoky profiles. Give these two expressions a try to see for yourself. Perhaps try them in a cocktail first or with a splash of ginger ale.

Lagavulin 8 Year Single Malt Scotch

MSRP $49.99 | 96 Proof

This Nick Offerman-approved whisky hails from Islay (pronounced 'eye-lah'), the Southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Its rough and rugged coast, with gusty wind year-round, is home to some of the world's most celebrated Scotch whisky brands. Lagavulin, whose origins trace back to the mid-1700s, is known for its unique pear-shaped pot stills, slow distillation, and peaty profile. This whisky comes in at 35 ppm.

This whisky delivers the smoke in a way that still allows the whisky flavor to come through. If you like smoky flavors in food and other spirits, then Lagavulin might be right up your alley. Expect bold notes of chocolate with a dry profile and sweet undertones. BBQ flavors meet minty and sea salt dark chocolate with a finish of sweet smoke. If you're a fan of sweet pipe smoke versus cigar smoke, Lagavulin 8 Year delivers a similar experience. If the smoky profile is too much to sip neat, peaty whisky makes excellent cocktails. Try a whisky sour with Lagavulin 8 Year or a fruity whisky smash. Adding sweet and citrus flavors to peaty whisky makes for a winning combination. Take your whisky and coke to the next level with the combo of sweet, effervescence and BBQ smoke.

The smoke meter says 6.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt Whisky

MSRP $47.99 | 94.8 Proof

Neighboring the famous Lagavulin, located on the small remote island of Islay, lives another historic Scottish distillery, Ardbeg. A brand known for its bold coastal peated whisky, this bottle is for those with an adventurous spirit. Ardbeg has three lines of whisky expressions: Core Range, Limited Editions, and Committee Exclusives. The Wee Beastie is Ardbeg’s latest permanent expression in their Core Range.

I can’t imagine putting together a selection of Scotch whiskies without including a bottle of Ardbeg. This whisky is aged five years in ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. Make no mistake, Ardbeg is the smokiest and boldest whisky in this list and has created whiskies that some call the smokiest in the world. You can expect chocolate, pine resin, and black pepper aromas in the Wee Beastie. The flavors are raw, smokey, and savory with dark chocolate, eucalyptus, iodine-like flavor, and a long finish full of salt smoke and hints of cocoa powder once the smoke retreats.

The Wee Beastie comes in between 50 and 55 PPM. If these flavors seem intimidating, they are. Usually, super smoky whiskies like Ardbeg fit into the camp where you either love or hate it. To make the decision for yourself, you have to give this whisky a try. And although I am not a big fan of heavily peated whisky, I appreciate cocktails with whiskies like Ardbeg. For the Wee Beastie, I recommend a Blood and Sand cocktail. The bold and briny smoke, sweet cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and orange juice are phenomenal.

The smoke meter says 9.

Scotch Cocktails

Don’t let anyone tell you that good whisky doesn’t belong in cocktails; that’s just madness. When cooking a steak, do you use a subpar cut of meat but ensure the side dishes are good quality? Of course not. Your base spirit in a cocktail should always be something you enjoy that tastes good to you no matter the price point.

Blood and Sand Cocktail

¾ oz Ardbeg Wee Beastie

¾ oz Cherry Heering

¾ oz sweet vermouth

¾ oz fresh orange juice.

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and shake well. Fine strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with an orange peel.

When sipping on Scotch whisky, instead of saying “cheers”, try the Gaelic - Sláinte, pronounced “slawn-cha”!