I borrowed this online (CRF)
Scottish Whisky Regions Guide
·
- Scotland has six whisky
regions, Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands.
·
- Speyside is by far the most extensive
whisky-producing region in Scotland.
·
- Scottish Whisky 'Scotch' is renowned around
the World.
Scotch Whisky is produced all over Scotland and can be broken down
into six regions, Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands.
Scotch is like Wine in that the location of where it's produced makes a
big difference to how it tastes, looks and smells even though it's produced in
the same country. Scotland isn't the biggest country, but the differences in
location to Whisky taste are phenomenal.
Coastal distilleries will produce a whisky that tastes nothing like an
inland whisky. A single malt from one of the island's distilleries will differ
from the heavily condensed area of Speyside. Even within regions, a whisky can
have completely different notes and aromas.
Scottish whisky is world-renowned, so it's important to distinguish the
difference; every region has a whisky powerhouse found in most bars around the
World. Below we've listed details about each Scottish Whisky region, covering
some famous names, notably aromas and flavours and how to differentiate from
region to region.
Highlands Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous Highlands Whisky: Dalmore
and Glenmorangie
·
- Number of distilleries: Over 25
· - Typical Highland flavours: Fruit Cake,
Malt, Oak, Heather, Dried Fruit and Smoke
The Highlands is Scotland's largest whisky-producing area, covering
anywhere from the north of Glasgow (the Clyde estuary to the River Tay) to
Thurso in the north, not to mention the east and west regions excluding
Speyside. Due to the large area, whisky in the Highlands is diverse and offers
vastly different flavours, so it's hard to put a specific style on Whisky from
this region. It's easier to split the Highlands into four subregions, north,
east, south and west. Each of these subregions has its own style.
You’ll find full-bodied single malts in the north, sweet & rich in
character, Glenmorangie & Dalmore being
two of the more recognisable whiskies. Lighter, fruity whiskies are more
commonly found in the east, such as Glendronach. Similar drams are located in
the South, these would typically have a touch less body, such as Aberfeldy. The
Western Highlands offers the full body with a peaty punch, and the coast has a
significant influence on those whiskies; Oban is one of the more prominent
names.
Due to the size of the Highland area, these distilleries make up 25% of
all Whisky produced in Scotland. However, if you add the neighbouring region of
Speyside into this, then the figure rises up to 85%.
Speyside Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous
Speyside Whisky: Macallan, Dalwhinnie, Glenlivet and Glenfiddich
·
- Speyside's Glenfiddich is the World's
Best-Selling single malt whisky.
·
- Number of distilleries: Over 60
·
- Typical Speyside flavours: Apple, Vanilla,
Oak, Malt, Nutmeg and Dried Fruit
The region of Speyside is located in the northeast of Scotland
surrounding the River Spey; it's a sub-region to the neighbouring Highlands
because of the high density of distilleries in the area. It's home to the
highest number of distilleries in Scotland, with well over 60 at present.
Speyside is known for its wide range of whiskies displaying
different characters, famously for sweet single malts with either very little
peat or no peat present at all. Because of this style, Speyside tends to
be an excellent entry-level for those beginning their Whisky adventure. They
allow the user to discover their favourite tastes when it comes to drinking
single malts.
Some of the World's most famous whiskies are produced in Speyside, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and The
Macallan are World-renowned scotch whiskies; these three
distilleries alone make up one-third of the entire single malt market. More
than 60% of Scotland's whole single malt production is from the active
distilleries of Speyside; this shows how important this region is in terms of
exports of Scotch and Scottish produce around the World.
Lowlands Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous Lowlands
Whisky: Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie
·
- Number of distilleries: Under 5
·
- Typical Lowland flavours: Grass,
Honeysuckle, Cream, Toffee, Toast and Cinnamon
Lowlands is the second biggest whisky region in terms of its area, but
it's currently only home to fewer than five distilleries. The Lowlands region
covers the south of Scotland up to the north of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It meets
the border of the Highlands; the line follows the old county borders running
from the Clyde estuary in the west to the River Tay in the east. Anything south
of this is to the border with England is classified as the 'Lowlands' in whisky
terms.
Lowlands whiskies tend to be light and gentle with no peatiness; unlike
any other region, they were once all triple distilled. Only Auchentoshan uses
this technique now for all of its production. Due to the inland location of
the distilleries, there is slight salinity within the Whisky; because of
this, Lowland Whiskies are a great entry into malt whisky.
Campbeltown Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous Campbeltown Whisky:
Glengyle and Springbank
·
- Number of distilleries: Under 5
·
- Typical Campbeltown flavours: Brine, Smoke,
Dried Fruit, Vanilla and Toffee
Campbeltown is part of mainland Scotland, but it's found at the Mull of
Kintyre's foot and was once a thriving whisky hotspot with over 34
distilleries. However, it's now home to just 3. Once at a high of 34,
a 50% slump in the 1850s meant what followed was a catastrophic fall from
grace. A mixture of improved transport links to the rival distilleries in the
north and a decline in quality as distillers cut corners for mass-production
resulting in an inferior product.
Today, Campbeltown Whisky is known for its dryness and sometimes
pungency taste because of its location; the region sticks out of the mainland
and is closer to neighbouring islands Arran and Islay than any other mainland
producer.
The region is relatively small, yet the distilleries produce very
different whiskies from one another; Springbank is robust and heavily
smoky, whereas Glen Scotia now produces typically light and
grassy whiskies.
Islay Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous Islay Whisky:
Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Bruichladdich
·
- Number of distilleries: Under 10
·
- Typical Islay flavours: Seaweed, Brine,
Carbolic Soap, Apple, Smoke and Kippers
The Scottish island of Islay (pronounced eye-luh) is located to the west
of the mainland and is the smallest Whisky region in terms of area coverage
in Scotland. Even though it's a relatively small island, Islay is
currently home to 8 distilleries, 3 of which are World famous, Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin.
The region is known for its peaty single malts, and it's believed
that whisky distillation reached Scotland from Ireland via Islay in the 13th
century, hence the high number of past and present distilleries the island.
Islands Scotch Whisky
·
- Most famous Islands Whisky: Highland
Park, Talisker and Jura
·
- Number of distilleries: Under 10
·
- Typical Island flavours: Smoke, Brine, Oil,
Black Pepper and Honey
Scotch
produced on the islands surrounding the mainland of Scotland offers a very
diverse and different taste; they're not, however, recognised by the Scotch
Whisky Association but are easily grouped for geographic reasons as one as
they're all islands.
There are
nearly 800 islands off of Scotland’s coastline, with only a few are
inhabited; it's easy to see why the varying style differentiates from North to
South. Of the inhabited islands, Orkney has two whisky distilleries, Scapa and Highland
Park. Lewis & Harris is home to Abhainn Dearg. Talisker is
located on Skye, Tobermory on Mull with Jura and Arran located
on their namesake islands. Although diverse in flavours, peat and salinity are
found in all Islands whiskies; the latter is because of the sea's vicinity.
Talisker is
currently the largest Island distillery in Scotland, with a capacity of 2.6
litres; you'll be sure to find a bottle of this in most bars around the World.
Thanks to Wineware a UK outfit which specialises in Scotch glasses etc!
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