Difference Between Single Malt and Blended

Single Malt vs Blended
 

If you love whisky and on top of that Scottish whisky, you must know the difference between single malt and blended whisky. Scotch is the whisky produced in Scotland, and there are two main categories of scotch, single malt and blended scotch. There is always this debate between the connoisseurs raging whether the taste of blended is superior to that of single malt. However, there can be no definitive answer to this debate. However, knowing the difference between blended and single malts can certainly take you closer to the answer to this question.

The word whisky in Scottish language means the water of life, and scotch is a whisky that comes from Scotland alone. Technically, it is possible to make whiskey in other parts of the world, but then they do not qualify to be called scotch just as Champagne comes from France and Tequila from some parts of Mexico.

What is Single Malt Whiskey?

Single malts or single malt whiskey come from distillations by the same producer at the same site. This means that single malt whiskey is the whiskey that is distilled at one distillery. This is also made of a single type of malted grain.

Scotch purists argue that the single malt is the best whiskey available as it carries the original taste of the drink with no mixing of different varieties. In fact, they consider blended whiskey as an inferior drink. Best single malt whiskey comes from Scotland, Japan, and Ireland, and it is very expensive.

What is Blended?

Blended, or blends, as the name implies, are the result of mixing of distillations from several producers of whisky. In other words, blended whiskey is whiskey that is the product of blending different types of whiskies. Also, blended whisky is typically made of several malts and grain whisky while single malt is obviously made up of malt whisky. This is another difference between blended and single malt whisky. Blended whisky is made to a particular consistency so that it can be marketed as a standard and can be reproduced too. Blended is also cheaper than malt whisky with the bulk of the blend made up of grain whiskeys.

At bars and such places, when whiskey is needed for making cocktails, people use blended whiskey as they are cheaper. Also, blended whiskey does not carry a deep flavored taste that can cover the taste of the cocktail.

People, who are for the taste of blended whiskey, argue that blending of whiskies help to create smoother and more preferable flavors. They also believe that top quality blends have the ability to compete against the flavor of single malts, and they even bring more enjoyment to the drinkers. It is believed that blended whisky originated from Scotland, Canada, and Ireland.

What is the difference between Single Malt and Blended Whisky?

When buying Scotch whisky, one often comes across labels saying it to be a single malt or a blended whisky. Though there may not be much difference in taste, single malt is distillations by the same producers at a single site whereas blends are a result of mixing of several distillations coming from different producers. Blends are made to achieve a consistency that is standardized and is marketed as such.

• Definitions of Single Malt and Blended:

• Single malt whiskey is a whiskey that is distilled at one distillery. This is also made of a single type of malted grain.

• Blended whiskey is a whiskey that is produced by blending different types of whiskies.

• Flavor:

• Single malt is considered to have a complex and deep flavor.

• Blended whiskies are considered to have smooth and favorable flavors.

• Price:

• Single malt whiskey is more expensive than blended whiskey.

• Use in Cocktails:

• Single malt whiskey is not used in cocktails as it can cover the taste of the cocktail and also because single malt is expensive.

• Blended whiskey is used in cocktails as it does not have an overshadowing taste and is less expensive.

As you can see single malt and blended are two types of scotch whiskies. They are both greatly favored by the people who are used to drinking them.

Images  Courtesy:

1. Bowmore 12 Jahre by Look Sharp! (CC BY-SA 3.0)
2. Bottles of Johnnie Walker blended malt whiskies by Iceman7840 (CC BY-SA 3.0)