Single malt whisky

Single malt is one of the most celebrated and sought-after styles of whisky worldwide. Unlike blended whisky which combines whiskies from multiple distilleries, single malt whisky made from 100% malted barley using a singular distillery's craftsmanship, expertise, and unique production methods. 

The process of making single malt whisky typically involves the following steps:

Malting: Barley grains are soaked in water to encourage germination, then dried in kilns to halt the process. This creates malted barley which is essential for whisky production.

Mashing: The malted barley is ground into a coarse powder called grist, then mixed with hot water in a mash tun. This process converts starches in the barley into fermentable sugars.

Fermentation: The sugary liquid, known as wort, is transferred to fermentation vessels where yeast is added. Yeast converts the sugars into alcohol, creating a liquid called wash, with low alcohol content.

Distillation: The wash is distilled, often in copper pot stills or sometimes in column stills, depending on the distillery's preference and the country’s regulations. This process concentrates the alcohol and separates undesirable components, producing a clear liquid known as ‘new make spirit’.

Maturation: The new make spirit is transferred to casks for aging and must mature for a minimum of three years (although some countries the minimum is two years) to become whisky. Many single malts are aged for much longer. During the time the whisky interacts with the cask’s wood, it will change in colour and texture, gaining complexity and a wide range of flavours. The treatment of wood (almost always Oak) and prior cask contents significantly impact the spectrum of flavours imparted on the whisky. 

The flavour profile of single malt whisky can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of barley, fermentation technique, the distillation process, the aging period, and the type of cask used for maturation. As a result, each single malt whisky carries a unique and distinct character that reflects the craftsmanship of the distillery and the natural influences of its location. At The Whisky Club we work closely with each distillery’s Master Blender to show off their unique and iconic traits in the form of our one-off, monthly whisky releases. Some are so rare or popular they sell out in minutes!

Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Single malt Scotch whisky is a specific type of whisky from Scotland, which follows strict government legislation known as Scotch Whisky Regulations. In summary, for whisky to be called ‘single malt Scotch’ it must be made in Scotland from malted barley, yeast, water, without the addition of any other cereals. It also must be distilled in pot stills and at a single distillery. The regulations were introduced to protect Scotch whisky from competition, as well as guarantee the quality of production for whisky lovers.

Five different types of whiskies defined by the Scotch Whisky Regulations include:

Single malt whisky — made at one distillery with malted barley in a pot still.

Single grain whisky — made at one distillery with any cereal grains in a continuous still.

Blended malt whisky — made by combining single malt whiskies from different distilleries.

Blended grain whisky — made by combining single grain whiskies from different distilleries.

Blended whisky — made by combining single grain whiskies and single malt whiskies from different distilleries.

The best single malt whisky brands (i.e. what to keep an eye out for!)

The most well-known single malt whisky brands worldwide are from Scotland. Many hail from the Scottish whisky region of Speyside, which is known for its unpeated, fruity and elegant style – think Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Balvenie and GlenDronach. Peated whiskies from other Scottish whisky regions such as Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Talisker have die-hard collectors around the world due to their signature, smoky whiskies.

High quality single malt whisky is also produced in other countries of course, including Ireland (Bushmills and Redbreast), Japan (Fuji Gotemba and Nikka Miyagikyo), as well as Australia (Lark, Starward, Overeem, and Sullivans Cove).

With such an array of quality single malts being produced around the world, many whisky lovers find themselves at loss for what bottle to grab next for their collection or to open up during Friday night drams with mates. Rather than focusing solely on brands, choosing a whisky by tasting notes and production quality can be the brilliant way to go.

Luckily, the Club works with distilleries all over the world to bring phenomenal single malt whiskies to Members in Australia. And once you’ve tried a few different whiskies, it’s easier to hone in on your own personal preference – because like all food and drink, the ‘best whisky’ is always going to be a personal choice.

There’s much to experience in the world of whisky, and the exploration, tasting new whiskies, trying a different finishes or perhaps your first peated whisky, and building a collection of favourite bottles is all part of the fun! After all, that’s what the Club is all about - the love of whisky. In being a part of the Club you’ll get tons of information about the whisky, tasting notes and the distillery with every monthly bottle you order, and there’s a great community of whisky lovers online and at Club events.

So what’ll it be – a fruit-forward Speyside Glenfiddich, maritime-inspired Glen Scotia, butter and berry Bushmills, or caramel goodness from Lark? Join the Club, and try them all!