THE GREAT SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE
Hello folks!!
Let’s ride along on this incredible journey into understanding the art and science behind the making
of a good Scotch Malt Whisky.
We begin this journey by exploring the different whisky producing regions in Scotland.
Lowlands – Where whisky making meets romance.
Soft, smooth malts that offer a gentle palate reminiscent of sweet, toasty taste;
sometimes cinnamon or ginger.
A perfect pre-dinner drink.
Distilleries: 5 in operation
Most famous: Auchentoshan
Highlands - Area-wise, the largest whisky producing region in Scotland.
This makes for very diverse flavours and characteristics of Highland whiskies.
Typically, rich and full-bodied, they can range from being sweet or fruity to having a
slight peaty and even salty punch.
Highland whiskies offer something for all palates.
Distilleries: 25 in operation
Most famous: Dalmore, Glenmorangie
Speyside - The most densely populated whisky region in the world, it accounts for 50% of the
total production of Scotch whiskies.
Frugal with peat but full of fruit; flavours of apple, pear, nutmeg and vanilla are
typical. Any Speyside whisky is a good entry level drink to venture into the vast
world of Scotch malts.
Distilleries: More than 60 in operation
Most famous: Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet
The Islands - The outer islands surrounding mainland Scotland, it is also considered a sub-set of
the Highlands.
A group of over 800 islands form a part of this geographic region.
Distilleries are few and far in between; while flavours are diverse, saltiness and
a peaty flavour is found in all.
Distilleries: 8 in operation
Most famous: Talisker, Jura
Islay - The Scottish island of Islay (pr. eye-lah) where most of the population is involved in
the production of whiskies.
Known for whiskies with a strong identity and heavily peaty flavours; it is believed
that whisky making reached main-land Scotland from Ireland, through Islay.
Distilleries: 8 in operation
Most famous: Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin
Cambeltown - Part of mainland Scotland, it was once the whisky capital and a thriving centre for
Whisky production., with 34 distilleries in this small area.
Improvements in logistics and the emergence of rivals meant whisky production
dwindled in the 1900’s.
The handful of distilleries in operation produce whiskies with opposing palates.
Springbank is robust and smoky while Glen Scotia has light and grassy whiskies.
Distilleries: 5 in operation
Famous: Springbank