Scotland is thought for a lot of culinary delights. You’ve acquired tattie scones, lorne sausage, haggis, Irn Bru, teacakes, pizza crunch, and lots extra apart from. Significantly, when you’ve by no means tried them, you’re lacking out. The principle factor that Scotland is thought for nonetheless, is one thing that we all know very nicely right here at GreatDrams.com and that’s whisky!
There’s simply one thing magical about Scotch that you just simply can’t recreate with different spirits, and different kinds of whisky/whiskey. One factor that Scotch drinkers will discover straight away is the truth that the Scotch can differ from area to area.
Although Scotland is a reasonably small nation, the Scotch produced right here can differ massively from area to area. Whether or not it’s the closely peated whiskies of Islay, or the comfortable, clean, and creamy malts of the lowlands, the totally different areas producing Scotch can have an enormous affect over the completed product.
In Scotland you’ll discover 6 whisky-producing areas, consisting of the Highlands, lowlands, Islay, Speyside, Campbeltown, and the Islands. Every one produces a unique type of Scotch, which is what we’re going to take a look at at the moment. Right here is your final information to the totally different whisky areas present in Scotland.
Speyside
Beginning off with probably the most distinguished instance, we’ve Speyside. Speyside is, by far, the most important whisky-producing area within the nation, as it’s house to greater than 60 whisky distilleries.
Speyside can also be house to the world’s best-selling single malt Glenfiddich, together with different favourites together with Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie, and Macallan whisky.
Because the title suggests, this specific area of Scotland is discovered alongside the aspect of the River Spey, on the Northeast of Scotland. It’s technically a sub-region of the Highlands, but it has its personal distinctive traits. It’s house to glens wealthy with peat, contemporary Speyside mineral water, rugged coastlines, and whisky which is usually matured in a sherry cask.
Located a stone’s throw from Aberdeen and Inverness, you’ll discover that Speyside whiskies usually present fruity notes from the sherry casks, an earthy and smoky end from the peat, apple, pear, vanilla, and winter spices with a contact of honey. Speyside Scotch is a good all-arounder, which might be why Glenfiddich is the world’s hottest Scotch whisky.
Islay
Islay, which is pronounced ‘eye-luh’ is a small Scottish island situated simply off to the west of Scotland’s mainland, on Scotland’s southern coast, and is the smallest whisky-producing area within the nation, as it’s house to lower than 10 distilleries, 8 in truth.
Don’t let that idiot you nonetheless, as 3 of the island’s 8 distilleries are world-famous manufacturers consisting of Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin.
What Islay lacks in dimension nonetheless, it greater than makes up for when it comes to flavour. In case you take pleasure in your Scotch peaty, you’re going to take pleasure in Islay Scotch, it’s that easy. The peat discovered on the island is usually used as gasoline for the fireplace within the malting means of single malt, which provides the whisky its smoky and earthy expression.
Identified affectionately as ‘Whisky Island’ the whisky produced right here is strongly peated and smoky, with salty coastal influences and a sprinkling of crisp apples.
Highlands
Maybe mostly related to the whisky distilling trade we’ve the rugged and majestic Highlands. With barren moorlands, rugged landscapes, scenic glens, coastlines, hills and mountains, the Highlands actually do have all of it when it comes to gorgeous vistas.
When it comes to space, the Highlands is Scotland’s largest whisky producing space by far. Due to this, Highland whisky can differ vastly on this area. Jap Highland whisky for instance, has extra of a peaty affect which evokes pictures of an Islay expression. Scotch produced within the Northern Highlands nonetheless, has extra of a sweeter attribute.
Usually, due to an absence of barley right here, whisky was distilled in smaller stills, leading to a fuller physique and a richer end.
Dwelling to greater than 25 distilleries, you’ll discover agency favourites equivalent to Glenmorangie and Dalmore whisky, being produced on this a part of the nation.
In case you like totally different expressions, flavours, aromas, and finishes in your whisky, Highlands whisky could possibly be perfect as a result of it varies a lot. You’ll be able to have wealthy and fruity whisky, peated whisky, natural whisky, oaked whisky, drier whiskies, and lots of extra apart from.
Lowlands
Dwelling to fewer than 5 distilleries as of this writing, although the Scottish lowlands take up a substantial amount of area, this area of Scotland isn’t well-known for its distilleries.
Located within the southern most a part of the nation, well-known lowlands whisky consists of Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.
If you’re not a fan of harsh Scotch whisky, or when you desire mellower flavours, Lowlands whisky is right as it’s far more subdued and is extra like an Irish whiskey. Actually, as a result of it’s so light, most lowland whisky is used to provide blended whisky, which by the way in which, is unimaginable!
Usually, lowlands whisky will offer you notes and aromas of vanilla, toffee, cream, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and floral finishes. In case you’re on the lookout for a gateway into the magical world of malt whisky, with out dashing in headfirst, lowland whisky is ideal.
Campbeltown
The city of Campbeltown is one other small area of Scotland well-known for its whisky manufacturing. As soon as upon a time it was a thriving whisky producing area that was house to greater than 30 distilleries. These days nonetheless, there are lower than 5 remaining, together with Springbank and Glengyle.
A part of mainland Scotland, situated totally on the Southwest coast, you’ll discover that the coastal location of Campbeltown distilleries can significantly affect the whisky produced right here. Sprinkbank whisky for instance, is closely peated and smoky, whereas different expressions have notes of brine and seaweed, with toffee, honey, and blended berries additionally shining by means of.
The Islands
Lastly, we’ve The Islands.
Though not technically a Scots area, the whisky produced right here is made in distilleries which encompass the Scottish mainland and is classed as a whisky-producing area.
Whiskies produced right here differ from island to island, with Jura, Orkney, Raasay, Mull, Skye, and Arran all being prime areas. Talisker and Jura for instance, are Island whiskies and are globally revered, and rightfully so.
You can see practically 800 islands off the shoreline of Scotland, with only a small handful being inhabited. Once more, the whiskies right here choose up that coastal affect of being salted, brined, and earthy, although additionally, you will discover candy and fruity notes because of the sherry casks through which the whisky is aged.
