Scotland’s Whisky Industry

(Above image is a capture of Strathisla Distillery, Keith.)

Introduction

There are over one hundred working distilleries in Scotland all of which produce a product known as a ‘single malt’, a term which means the product of a single distillery. Some of the output goes into blends such as Johnnie Walker or Dewars, whilst the rest is sold as a single malt under such labels as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Dalwhinnie and Auchentoshan. Single malt whisky is made from barley.  There are a small number of distilleries which  produce whisky from grain such as wheat or maize. Grain whisky tends to be produced on an industrial scale and is mainly used as a major constituent of blended whisky.

Fermentation at Glenfiddich Distillery, Speyside.

 Regions

The industry is split into four whisky regions:

→Speyside: About forty five distilleries in the central Highlands centred around Grantown-on-Spey  and Dufftown. The names here include Aberlour, Aultmore, Balmenach, Balvenie, Cardhu, Dufftown, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Knockando, Macallan, Mortlach, Strathisla and Tamdhu.

Mash Tun at Glenfarclas Distillery.

Still Room at Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown.

→Highlands: About twenty seven distilleries which include: Edradour,  Glemorangie, Old Pultney, Balblair, Clynelish, Dalmore, Glen Garioch, Glen Ord, Royal Lochnagar, Fettercairn, Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Glengoyne, Oban, Tullibardine and Ben Nevis.

Washbacks (fermentation vessels) at Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William

→Islands: About fifteen distilleries which include: Abhainn Dearg, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Arran, Highland Park, Jura, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Springbank, Talisker and Tobermory.

Stills at Laphroaig Distillery, Islay.

→Lowlands: Five distilleries which include Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie.

Maturing whisky at Auchentoshan Distillery, Glasgow.

 Manufacturing Process

The single malt manufacturing process is identical across the industry entailing malting, mashing. fermentation, distillation and maturation. Each distillery has established a unique product identity as a function of subtle variations influenced by shape of stills, water supply, constituent of the malted barley and the maturation process. Distilleries on Islay  (such as Ardbeg and Lagavulin) are renowned for producing a smokey or peated whisky whereas most other malts have low or zero peat content. The vast majority of Scotch whisky is produced using a double distillation process. Auchentoshan (near Glasgow), in common with Irish distilleries, uses triple distillation.

Old style maltings floor at Balvenie Distillery, Speyside.

Distillery Tours

About half of the producing distilleries provide tours and tastings for visitors. Standard tours last about one hour whilst more extensive and detailed nosing and tasting tours can last for about three hours or longer.

Whisky tasting at Glen Garrioch Distillery

Cooperage

On Speyside, near to Craigellachie, can be found Speyside Cooperage, which is dedicated to the manufacture and repair of whisky casks. There is a visitor centre where tourists can watch the energetic coopers working on the casks.

Coopers at work at Speyside Cooperage.

 
© Nigel P Cole/Catswhiskerstours Limited