Single Malt Scotch vs. American Single Malt Whiskey: The Variations and Similarities

To most whiskey fanatics, the phrase “single malt” is synonymous with scotch, and with good set off—Scotland is the birthplace of single malt whisky. However inside the US, a rising group of distillers have turned to malted barley to create a mannequin new form of single malt whiskey.

Although it might look like a mannequin new pattern, American whiskey producers have distilled whiskey from barley for a while.

“Enterprise manufacturing of single malt whiskeys all through the U.S. started all through the Eighties,” says Tyler Pederson, distillery supervisor at Seattle’s Westland Distillery.

When the model bought its begin in 2010, Westland helped to popularize the time interval “American Single Malt Whiskey” to make clear the sprouting crop of latest distillers specializing in barley instead of the corn, wheat, and rye utilized in bourbon manufacturing.

One would possibly assume that American single malts have tons in frequent with Scottish single malt whiskies. The title implies that American producers look to Scotland’s impact all through the distilling world, and to a stage, that’s correct.

Although the 2 classes share the same most important ingredient, there are quite a few variations in manufacturing between the areas that account for an infinite spectrum of flavors all by way of the malt whiskey world.

What’s a Single Malt Scotch?

The idea of a single malt whisky originated in Scotland. However even all by way of the realm, single malts are a selected variety. The overwhelming majority of whisky produced in Scotland in the intervening time is mixed, which implies whisky makers mix a mix of flavorful, pot-distilled whisky made out of malted barley and a lighter, column-distilled grain whisky which can be made out of any grain. Single malt whisky is especially a mix of pot-distilled parts with out the addition of grain whisky.

Single malt scotch is prized for its wealthy, tough model profile and mouthfeel. Nonetheless, single malts can differ dramatically in model due to regional variations in manufacturing—a smoky and briny peated scotch from Islay is form of utterly completely totally different from a fruity, floral Speyside whisky.

To be thought of a single malt scotch, producers ought to stick to a strict set of manufacturing requirements set in place by the Scottish authorities. A single malt whisky ought to be made solely from malted barley and no completely totally different grain, and to be referred to as a Scotch whisky, the mash, distillation, and maturation must happen in Scotland. Single malt scotch must even be distilled in a copper pot and produced and aged totally at a single distillery, ageing for no less than three years in oak barrels.

What Is an American Single Malt Whiskey?

All through the U.S., most whiskey is primarily made out of a mash of fermented corn, rye, usually wheat, and a small portion of malted barley. American single malt is a selected variety due to, just like single malt scotch, it’s produced utilizing solely malted barley as the first ingredient.

“This shift in grain various permits for a particular model profile and opens up new potentialities for whiskey makers to search out,” says Pederson.

In some strategies, this class stays to be in its infancy, nonetheless rising at a severe tempo. In 2016, the American Single Malt Worth was fashioned by whiskey producers with the goal of defining, defending, and selling the class. From 13 real members, the group has grown to incorporate 125 utterly completely totally different distilleries.

“This progress has attracted the eye of huge whiskey producers, who’ve began incorporating American single malts into their portfolios,” says Pederson. James B. Beam Distilling merely launched its first single malt, Clermont Steep, which portends far more visibility and progress for the class.

Not like bourbon and scotch, which could be each strictly regulated, there presently isn’t any official licensed definition for “single malt whiskey” inside the US. The American Single Malt Worth has been working with the Alcohol and Tobacco Commerce and Tax Bureau (TTB) to ascertain an accurate designation for the class.

“This recognition would income producers, because of it ensures consistency and high quality in ASMW manufacturing, offering confidence to craft distinctive whiskeys that meet the outlined necessities,” says Pederson.

The proposed authorized pointers are presently being thought of by the TTB, nonetheless they embrace plenty of the same pointers that dictate what shall be referred to as a single malt in Scotland. Significantly, they state that the whiskey ought to be mashed, distilled, and matured inside the US by a single particular specific particular person distillery. In accordance with the proposed pointers, American single malts must even be made totally from malted barley, aged in oak barrels, and bottled at a minimal of 80 proof.

How are American Single Malts and Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Utterly completely totally different?

On paper, American and Scottish single malts may appear nearly an comparable. They’re each distilled completely from malted barley, each are required to be aged in oak barrels, and each can’t be bottled at decrease than 80 proof. Nonetheless, essential variations in customized and manufacturing separate the distilling areas.

A vital defining attribute of single malt scotch is the required use of copper pot stills for distillation. Beneath the proposed definition of American single malt whiskey, producers can use every a pot nonetheless or a column nonetheless to supply their whiskey, and there may be already differ on this regard. Each Westland and Balcones, two of mainly primarily probably the most established single malt producers all through the U.S., use copper pot stills, and Jim Beam’s Clermont Steep is distilled utilizing a column nonetheless.

Geographical variations between areas furthermore influence the manufacturing and magnificence of each kinds. Barley grown in Europe might have a particular model than barley cultivated inside the US.

“Different parts like soil circumstances and native local weather create regional variations all through the high quality and availability of constructive uncooked offers like barley, peat, and oak,” says Pederson.

Variations in warmth and humidity between Scotland and the U.S. even have a vital affect on the barrel maturation course of—whiskey picks up flavors from wooden far more shortly in Texas than all through the Orkney Islands. Even all by way of the U.S., regional kinds and variations are beginning to take root.

“[Producers] with shut by bogs are creating whiskeys made with peat-smoked barley,” says Pederson. “Whereas others all through the Southwest with entry to scrub oak and mesquite are placing their very private spin on the basic variety.”

As they outline the class, single malt producers inside the US are ensuring to supply themselves room for exploration.

“Beneath our proposed definitions, American distillers can develop partnerships with shut by breweries for wash manufacturing, use progressive distillation strategies, and fill into a variety of cask varieties whereas nonetheless providing a product that meets and exceeds the expectations of shoppers all by way of the globe,” says Pederson.

The historic earlier and cultural significance of Scotch whisky is wealthy, centuries earlier, and deservedly celebrated. Nonetheless, an adherence to personalized might stifle innovation inside a class. Unburdened by centuries of custom-made, American single malt producers are forging their very private path. Producers have the distinctive numerous to create a conference and group that prioritizes new and thrilling concepts whereas nonetheless treating the whisky-making traditions of Scotland with reverence. Fortunately, for fanatics, custom-made and innovation can comfortably coexist on the planet of whiskey.