Malt whisky
Encyclopedia
Malt whisky is whisky
that is made from a fermented mash
produced primarily from a malt
ed grain. Unless otherwise specified, it is generally assumed that the primary grain is barley
, although whisky is also made using malted rye
. A whisky made from malted rye should therefore be called a "rye malt whisky" rather than simply a "malt whisky".
If the product is made exclusively from a single grain at a single distillery (and various other restrictions apply), it is called a single malt whisky
.
The exact definition of a "malt whisky" and a "single malt whisky" and the restrictions governing its production vary according to the regulations governing the marketing of whisky in the local jurisdiction.
In the United States
Code of Federal Regulations, the Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits define a "malt whisky" as a whisky produced at an alcohol by volume
(abv) level not exceeding 80% from a fermented mash of not less than 51% malted barley grain and stored for aging in charred new oak containers at not less than 62.5% abv. The regulations define a "rye malt whisky" in a corresponding manner using rye grain. If such a whisky has been aged for at least two years, contains no added coloring and flavoring, and has not been blended with neutral spirits or other types of whisky, the additional adjective "straight" can be applied, as in "straight malt whisky" and "straight rye malt whisky". If the whisky is not completely "straight" but at least 51% of its content is "straight malt whisky", the word "malt" can still be used, but the product must be described as a "blend", as in "blended malt whisky" or "malt whiskey – a blend".
In Scotch whisky regulations, malt whisky must be aged for at least three years, the use of new barrels is not required, the distillation and aging can use higher levels of alcohol by volume
(which can result in a "lighter" but less flavorful whisky), and (E150A) caramel coloring can be added (but no other additives are allowed).
Canadian whisky
regulations are generally more liberal, allowing the addition of flavoring agents as well as caramel. There is no maximum limit on the alcohol level of the distillation or aging for Canadian whisky, so the bulk of the distilled content (often more than 90 percent) may be neutral spirits or near-neutral spirits rather than "straight" whisky. Similar to the regulations for the aging of Scotch, the aging requirement for Canadian whisky is three years, and the use of new barrels is not required.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
that is made from a fermented mash
Mashing
In brewing and distilling, mashing is the process of combining a mix of milled grain , known as the "grain bill", and water, known as "liquor", and heating this mixture...
produced primarily from a malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ed grain. Unless otherwise specified, it is generally assumed that the primary grain is barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, although whisky is also made using malted rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
. A whisky made from malted rye should therefore be called a "rye malt whisky" rather than simply a "malt whisky".
If the product is made exclusively from a single grain at a single distillery (and various other restrictions apply), it is called a single malt whisky
Single malt whisky
Single malt whisky is a whisky made at one particular distillery from a mash that uses one particular malted grain, which is ordinarily barley.Single malts are typically associated with Scotland, though they are also produced in various other countries...
.
The exact definition of a "malt whisky" and a "single malt whisky" and the restrictions governing its production vary according to the regulations governing the marketing of whisky in the local jurisdiction.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Code of Federal Regulations, the Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits define a "malt whisky" as a whisky produced at an alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(abv) level not exceeding 80% from a fermented mash of not less than 51% malted barley grain and stored for aging in charred new oak containers at not less than 62.5% abv. The regulations define a "rye malt whisky" in a corresponding manner using rye grain. If such a whisky has been aged for at least two years, contains no added coloring and flavoring, and has not been blended with neutral spirits or other types of whisky, the additional adjective "straight" can be applied, as in "straight malt whisky" and "straight rye malt whisky". If the whisky is not completely "straight" but at least 51% of its content is "straight malt whisky", the word "malt" can still be used, but the product must be described as a "blend", as in "blended malt whisky" or "malt whiskey – a blend".
In Scotch whisky regulations, malt whisky must be aged for at least three years, the use of new barrels is not required, the distillation and aging can use higher levels of alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(which can result in a "lighter" but less flavorful whisky), and (E150A) caramel coloring can be added (but no other additives are allowed).
Canadian whisky
Canadian whisky
Canadian whisky is a type of whisky produced in Canada. Most Canadian whiskies are blended multi-grain liquors containing a large percentage of corn spirits, and are typically lighter and smoother than other whisky styles...
regulations are generally more liberal, allowing the addition of flavoring agents as well as caramel. There is no maximum limit on the alcohol level of the distillation or aging for Canadian whisky, so the bulk of the distilled content (often more than 90 percent) may be neutral spirits or near-neutral spirits rather than "straight" whisky. Similar to the regulations for the aging of Scotch, the aging requirement for Canadian whisky is three years, and the use of new barrels is not required.
See also
- WhiskyWhiskyWhisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
- American whiskeyAmerican whiskeyAmerican whiskey is a distilled beverage produced in the United States from a fermented mash of cereal grain.The production and labeling of American whiskey are governed by Title 27 of the U.S...
- Canadian whiskyCanadian whiskyCanadian whisky is a type of whisky produced in Canada. Most Canadian whiskies are blended multi-grain liquors containing a large percentage of corn spirits, and are typically lighter and smoother than other whisky styles...
- Scotch whiskyScotch whiskyScotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
- Single malt whiskySingle malt whiskySingle malt whisky is a whisky made at one particular distillery from a mash that uses one particular malted grain, which is ordinarily barley.Single malts are typically associated with Scotland, though they are also produced in various other countries...