Vatted malt
Encyclopedia
A blended malt, formerly called a vatted malt, or pure malt, is a blend of different single malt (barley
-based) whiskies
from different distilleries. These terms are most commonly used in reference to Scotch whisky
.
The term "vatted" is used to describe the blending process—and does not automatically equate to creation of a vatted malt. Likewise, the use of the term "blended" does not necessarily refer to the creation of what is typically referred to as a blended whisky. A blending of different casks or batches of single malt whisky produced from the same distillery is still considered a single malt whisky.
The "malt" part of the term refers to the use of a malted grain to make the whisky. In Scotch whisky
, this grain is required to be barley
. Outside of Scotland, some whisky is made from other types of malted grain, such as malted rye
, and the term rye malt whisky is specifically recognized along with (barley-based) malt whisky in the code of federal regulations for whisky in the United States
. Moreover, outside of Scotland, whisky is often made using grain that is not malted (for example, using a corn
mash
), and some types of “whisky” such as Indian whisky
are even made without using grain at all (instead using some other fermentable substance such as molasses
).
Unless a different grain is specifically mentioned, a malt whisky is assumed to be made from barley
.
In the case of Scotch whisky
, blended malts do not contain any whisky made from grains other than barley
or spirits distilled using continuous distillation, unlike products labelled as "blended whisky."
For the Scotch whisky
industry, the terms vatted malt or pure malt have been reclassified as blended malts under the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009
, and it has become unlawful to label Scotch Whisky using the prior terminology.
When an age statement appears on the label of a Scotch blended malt whisky (or any other Scotch whisky), it refers to the amount of time spent in wooden aging casks
for the youngest (i.e., the least aged) whisky used in the product.
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...
-based) whiskies
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...
from different distilleries. These terms are most commonly used in reference to Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch 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...
.
The term "vatted" is used to describe the blending process—and does not automatically equate to creation of a vatted malt. Likewise, the use of the term "blended" does not necessarily refer to the creation of what is typically referred to as a blended whisky. A blending of different casks or batches of single malt whisky produced from the same distillery is still considered a single malt whisky.
The "malt" part of the term refers to the use of a malted grain to make the whisky. In Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch 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...
, this grain is required to be 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...
. Outside of Scotland, some whisky is made from other types of malted grain, such as 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...
, and the term rye malt whisky is specifically recognized along with (barley-based) malt whisky in the code of federal regulations for whisky in the United States
American whiskey
American 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...
. Moreover, outside of Scotland, whisky is often made using grain that is not malted (for example, using a corn
Corn
Corn is the name used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the grain maize.In much of the English-speaking world, the term "corn" is a generic term for cereal crops, such as* Barley* Oats* Wheat* Rye- Places :...
mash
Mash ingredients
Mash ingredients, mash bill, or grain bill are those materials used in brewing from which a wort can be obtained for fermenting into alcohol...
), and some types of “whisky” such as Indian whisky
Indian whisky
Indian whisky is a distilled alcoholic beverage that is labelled as "whisky" in India. Much Indian whisky is based on spirits that are distilled from fermented molasses...
are even made without using grain at all (instead using some other fermentable substance such as molasses
Molasses
Molasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
).
Unless a different grain is specifically mentioned, a malt whisky is assumed to be made from 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...
.
In the case of Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch 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...
, blended malts do not contain any whisky made from grains other than barley
Grain whisky
Grain whisky ordinarily refers to any whisky made from at least some grains other than malted barley, such as whisky made using maize , wheat or rye....
or spirits distilled using continuous distillation, unlike products labelled as "blended whisky."
For the Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch 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...
industry, the terms vatted malt or pure malt have been reclassified as blended malts under the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009
Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 is a Statutory Instrument that regulates the production, labeling, advertising and packaging of Scotch whisky. The regulations were laid before the Parliament of the United Kingdom on October 30th, 2009 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II...
, and it has become unlawful to label Scotch Whisky using the prior terminology.
When an age statement appears on the label of a Scotch blended malt whisky (or any other Scotch whisky), it refers to the amount of time spent in wooden aging casks
Barrel
A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container, traditionally made of vertical wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. Traditionally, the barrel was a standard size of measure referring to a set capacity or weight of a given commodity. A small barrel is called a keg.For example, a...
for the youngest (i.e., the least aged) whisky used in the product.