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Whiskey Categories

Scottish Whiskey

Whiskey Categories


Scotland is indisputably the nucleus of whisky-making. Here, a malt whisky can only be made from malted barley. If it comes from a single distillery the bottle is designated as single malt, but if any other grains are used it is termed grain alcohol. Scotch must also be aged in wood barrels for a minimum of three years. The vast majority of them, however, mature for much longer, lending them complexity. Today, many whisky producers are taking avant-garde steps by finishing their whiskies in unconventional rum casks to add an intriguing dimension.

Unlike single malts, which are always double distilled in pot stills, blended whiskies meld single malt and double distilled grain whisky in continuous stills. This accessible sphere of the Scotch category, including such iconic brands as Chivas Regal and Johnnie Walker, is even more popular for an everyday quaff.

The range of Scotches made throughout the country is immense. While one hailing from the Lowlands, like Auchentoshan, is light and bright, one from the island of Islay, like Laphroaig, puts peat-spawned smoky notes in the spotlight. The majority of Scotland’s whiskies are made in Speyside and the Highlands, yielding plenty of grass, raisin, and chocolate notes.


Quick Facts

  • Scotch anchors cocktails such as the Rob Roy (vermouth and Angostura bitters) and the Bobby Burns (sweet vermouth and Bénédictine)
  • The first written mention of Scotch can be found in Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, dating from June 1, 1494
  • Single malt Scotches didn’t come into style until the 1960s, when Glenfiddich’s pioneering marketing encouraged sales

Recommended Items at Auction

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Glenfiddich 50YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky - bottle no. 314, 43% ABV, 700ml in timber presentation box
Feb 20, 4:00 PM AEDT
Glenfiddich 50YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky - bottle no. 314, 43% ABV, 700ml in timber presentation box
by Lawsons
Est: AUD18,000- AUD24,000
AUD7,25016 Bids
LARK x Del Kathryn Barton Art Series Release
Feb 16, 8:00 PM AEDT
LARK x Del Kathryn Barton Art Series Release
by Lawsons
Est: AUD1,500- AUD2,500
AUD906 Bids
Chivas Brothers 'Lochan Ora' Scotch Whisky Liqueur - old bottling, 750ml
Feb 20, 4:00 PM AEDT
Chivas Brothers 'Lochan Ora' Scotch Whisky Liqueur - old bottling, 750ml
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD254 Bids
Johnnie Walker 'Gold Label Reserve' Blended Scotch Whisky - 40% ABV, 700ml in box
Feb 20, 4:00 PM AEDT
Johnnie Walker 'Gold Label Reserve' Blended Scotch Whisky - 40% ABV, 700ml in box
by Lawsons
Est: AUD70- AUD90
AUD253 Bids
Chivas Brothers 'Lochan Ora' Scotch Whisky Liqueur - old bottling, 750ml
Feb 20, 4:00 PM AEDT
Chivas Brothers 'Lochan Ora' Scotch Whisky Liqueur - old bottling, 750ml
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD353 Bids
Bells Whiskey Commerative Special 75cl Edition- Queen Elizabeth II
Feb 23, 8:00 PM GMT
Bells Whiskey Commerative Special 75cl Edition- Queen Elizabeth II
by James Auctioneers London
Est: £30- £40
£300 Bids
Bells Whiskey Commerative Special Edition- Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson 75cl
Feb 23, 8:00 PM GMT
Bells Whiskey Commerative Special Edition- Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson 75cl
by James Auctioneers London
Est: £25- £35
£250 Bids
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Novelty Mini Liquor Bottles
Feb 18, 10:00 AM EST
Novelty Mini Liquor Bottles
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $75- $100
$200 Bids
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park FREYA, 15 jaar oud, Valhalla Collectie
Feb 16, 11:00 AM CET
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park FREYA, 15 jaar oud, Valhalla Collectie
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €250- €350
€2400 Bids
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park Loki, 15 Year Old, Valhalla Collection
Feb 16, 11:00 AM CET
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park Loki, 15 Year Old, Valhalla Collection
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €200- €300
€2000 Bids
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park ODIN, 16 jaar oud, Valhalla Collectie
Feb 16, 11:00 AM CET
Whisky - Single Malt Highland Park ODIN, 16 jaar oud, Valhalla Collectie
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €350- €450
€3500 Bids
Boxed Six Shots, Old St Andrews Golf ball Scotch whiskey miniatures
Feb 15, 11:00 AM AEDT
Boxed Six Shots, Old St Andrews Golf ball Scotch whiskey miniatures
by Vickers & Hoad
Est: AUD30- AUD50
AUD200 Bids
6PC LOT OF WHISKEY. 3 CUTTY SARK, FLEISCHMANN'S, J&B, 100 PIPERS. VINTAGE.
Feb 12, 10:00 AM EST
6PC LOT OF WHISKEY. 3 CUTTY SARK, FLEISCHMANN'S, J&B, 100 PIPERS. VINTAGE.
by Uniques & Antiques
Est: $80- $120
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Scottish Whiskey


Lawsons

Lawsons

Maison Jules Veilinghuis

Maison Jules Veilinghuis

James Auctioneers London

James Auctioneers London

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Barry S. Slosberg Inc