Scotch Whisky

Regulation 3 of the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 sets every condition. The whisky must be distilled at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley, to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added; mashed, converted into a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems, and fermented only by adding yeast, all at that distillery; distilled at less than 94.8% alcohol by volume so that it keeps an aroma and taste from its raw materials and method; matured only in Scotland, only in oak casks of not more than 700 litres, for not less than three years, in an excise warehouse or permitted place; and bottled at not less than 40%. Nothing may be added except water and plain caramel colouring.

Age statements must be in years and refer to the youngest whisky in the bottle.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky is distilled at a single distillery from water and malted barley only, in pot stills (see Single Malt). Single Grain Scotch Whisky is distilled at a single distillery but does not meet the single malt definition; it is usually made in continuous stills. Blended Malt is a blend of single malts from more than one distillery, Blended Grain a blend of single grains from more than one distillery, and Blended Scotch Whisky a blend of one or more single malts with one or more single grains (see Blended Scotch).

Since 23 November 2012 Single Malt Scotch Whisky may leave Scotland only in bottles labelled for retail sale.