Scottish Whisky Definitions

Scotch can only be produced in Scotland. Whisky made anywhere else in the world cannot be called Scotch. The different categories of Scotch are explained on the diagram above. For more whisky terms, see the glossary at the end of this blog post.

Distillers in Scotland must produce whisky that adheres to both the EU definitions of whisky and the rather onerous Scotch Whisky Regulations (SWR). If they don't, then it can't be called whisky or Scotch. This extra set of controls regulates how Scotch is made, named and labelled. Whilst this helps maintain its fine reputation, it does restrict the ability to experiment. For example, they can't mature spirit in anything other than oak casks - so no maple or chestnut cask expressions allowed - and they could never make a 100% rye whisky, as all Scotch must contain malted barley.

SCOTCH CATEGORY EXAMPLES

Here are some examples of well known and readily available whiskies from each of the Scotch whisky categories: