what-is-a-fine-malt-whisky
What is a Fine Malt Whisky?
I am not pretending to be an authority with 40 years
knowledge of the whisky business but I do remember in my
younger days enjoying from time to time a malt whisky. I
also new by choice I?d ask for a malt, though never quite
sure why.
I?ll try and provide a simplistic view of what and why a
malt whisky is a fine whisky and with Scotland having in the
order of 140 distilleries producing one or more whiskies
then I must confess I tend to think of a malt as fine Scotch
whisky.
Generally speaking people mean a single malt whisky when
they refer to a malt whisky and this is because the malt
whiskies are distilled in distilleries which usually only
produce one whisky. It is possible to have more than one
brand of whisky from a distillery and this can be
attributable to a number of factors. For example a
distillery may have a single malt whisky which is a mere 10
years old and then another brand name which is matured for a
full 20 years. Similarly the unique flavour of a fine
whisky is as much about how the whisky is matured and stored
and specifically the history of the casks that are used.
The Benriach distillery, for example, produces several
brands and they are a mix of age and the casks that have
been used. Benriach specifically refer to whisky being
matured in originally American oak casks and then finished
either in casks having been used for storing sherry, port or
dark rum. In all these cases the actual distillation
process may have been the same but how the fine whisky is
stored and for how long are the key factors to the product
which is eventually consumed and enjoyed.
The ingredients of a fine malt whisky.
Almost all malt whiskies and made by malting barley gain
(though rye grain can be used). The barley, yeast and water
are the only ingredients used in the production of single
malt whisky.
In the first instance the barley used is malted, which
means, it is soaked in water for a few days. This malting or
soaking process is the start of the germination process
which leads to the natural starch being converted to a
fermentable sugar. This process is then stopped and the
malted barley is dried. Eventually the dried and germinated
malted barley can now be ground or milled to produce
something which the industry calls a grist. From here the
grist is combined with hot water to remove the sugary liquid
which is called a wort. This wort will now have the yeast
added. This where the first alcohol is produced and anyone
familiar with brewing beer will recognise this process as
both are very similar until this stage.
The next stage is where beer making (brewing) and whisky
making (distilling) differ because the wort liquid is then
distilled which means it is heated to boiling point such
that the alcohol boils away but is captured on the cooler
condensing surfaces and the alcohol is collected. This
distillation initial process produces a relatively low
alcohol strength liquid so the process is repeated (and
sometimes a third time) until such time as a liquid is
produced which is typically two thirds alcohol by volume.
These are the initial processes of making a scotch single
malt whisky. Note it is not a scotch whisky for another
year or two yet!
Fine Scotch Whisky or from the original translations the
"Water of Life" has been enjoyed and consumed by
millions over many years. Take a little time to learn
to appreciate your single malts or fine blends that have
taken years to create.
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For many consuming a fine malt whisky is pleasure in itself,
but understanding how it is made and what provides the
distictive taste and aroma brings immense enjoyment to many.