63-574: The Distillers Company plc was a leading Scotch whisky company and, at one time, a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index . It was taken over in 1986 by Guinness & Co. and is now part of Diageo . The Distillers Company origins lie in a trade association known as the Scotch Distillers' Association formed by Menzies, Barnard & Craig, John Bald & Co., John Haig & Co ., MacNab Bros, Robert Mowbray and Macfarlane & Co. in 1865. It
126-433: A cornerstone of the country's economy exported to nearly 180 markets. The Scotch Whisky Association estimated that Scotland's whisky industry supported 40,000 jobs and accounted for £4.37 billion in exports in 2017. Of that total, single malt Scotch accounted for £1.17 billion in exports, a 14% increase over 2016. The drink is exported to nearly 180 markets and, in 2022, its exports were valued at over £6 billion for
189-501: A distillation date or a bottling date. Whisky does not mature once bottled, so if no age statement is provided, one may calculate the age of the whisky if both the distillation date and bottling date are given. Labels may also carry various declarations of filtration techniques or final maturation processes. A Scotch whisky labelled as "natural" or "non-chill-filtered" has not been through a filtration process during bottling that removes compounds that some consumers see as desirable. Whisky
252-698: A distinctive product. The SWR regulation also states that no additives may be used except for plain (E150A) caramel colouring. To qualify for this category the Scotch whisky must be made in one distillery, in a pot still by batch distillation, using only water and malted barley. As with any other Scotch whisky, the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009 also require single malt Scotch to be made completely and bottled in Scotland and aged for at least three years. Most are aged longer. Another term
315-511: A drink, Scotch whisky was a favourite of King James IV of Scotland . Spirit production was first taxed by the Scottish parliament of January 1644, with an excise duty of 2s 8d imposed per Scots pint ; instigating the illicit distilling of spirits within the country. Between the 1760s and the 1830s a substantial unlicensed trade originated from the Highlands , forming a significant part of
378-421: A number, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed age whisky. Scotch whisky without an age statement may, by law, be as young as three years old. In the early 21st century, such "No age statement" whiskies have become more common, as distilleries respond to the depletion of aged stocks caused by improved sales. A label may carry
441-578: A single distillery and is often used in making blended Scotch. Single grain whiskies are usually not distilled in pot stills but with column stills . Blended malt whisky , formerly called vatted malt or pure malt (terms that are now prohibited in the SWR 2009), is one of the least common types of Scotch: a blend of single malts from more than one distillery (possibly with differing ages). Blended malts contain only single malt whiskies from two or more distilleries. This type must contain no grain whiskies and
504-429: A single malt; the addition of any whisky from a second distillery is by regulation a blended malt (which will also allow it to be exported in bulk form, unlike single malts which may only be exported bottled ready for sale). Instead the bottler may identify only the general geographical area of the source, or simply market the product using their own brand name without identifying their source. This may, in some cases, give
567-468: A sixteen-year contract to market the drug. DCBL ordered 6,000 tablets for clinical trial and 500 grammes of pure substance for animal experiments and formulation . Thalidomide was marketed in the United Kingdom under the name Distaval, beginning on 14 April 1958. Advertisements emphasised the drug's complete safety, using phrases such as non-toxic and no known toxicity. Later, Thalidomide
630-519: A surge in demand for whisky. By the 1890s, almost forty new distilleries had opened in Scotland. The boom years continued until the industry was significantly affected by World War I and later, by the Great Depression ; many of the companies closed and never re-opened. During the 1970s there was a new boom in Scotch whisky production that led to an overproduction in the early 1980s. Starting in 1981 whisky distilleries slashed production by
693-658: A sustainable future for the Scotch Whisky industry by promoting sustainable production, global trade, and responsible consumption. A Scotch whisky label comprises several elements that indicate aspects of production, age, bottling, and ownership. Some of these elements are regulated by the SWR, and some reflect tradition and marketing. The spelling of the term whisky is often debated by journalists and consumers. Scottish , English , Welsh , Australian and Canadian whiskies use whisky , Irish whiskies use whiskey , while American and other styles vary in their spelling of
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#1732791532373756-572: A third and kept it low for a decade. During that time many distilleries closed. Banff , Brora , Coleburn , Convalmore , Dallas Dhu , Glen Albyn , Glenesk , Glen Flagler , Glenlochy , Glen Mhor , Glenugie , Glenury , Millburn , North Port , Port Ellen and St Magdalene were mothballed, shut down or demolished. Since the 2010s, Scotch whisky has entered a new phase of growth with new distilleries like Ardnahoe and Borders opening and older distilleries like Brora , Port Ellen and Rosebank reopening. As of 23 November 2009 ,
819-611: A unit for drinking as a dram . The word whisky comes from the Gaelic uisge beatha or usquebaugh ' water of life' (a calque of Medieval Latin aqua vitae ; compare aquavit ). The earliest record of distillation in Scotland is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland for 1494. To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae, VIII bolls of malt. The Exchequer Rolls' record crown income and expenditure and
882-439: A vatted malt or pure malt, the SWR requiring them to be labelled blended malt instead. The term blended grain Scotch refers to whisky that contains at least two single grain Scotch whiskies from at least two distilleries, combined to create one batch of the product. Blended Scotch whisky constitutes about 90% of the whisky produced in Scotland. Blended Scotch whiskies contain both malt whisky and grain whisky. Producers combine
945-477: A way that reflected traditional and current practice: before the 2009 SWR, any combination of Scotch whiskies qualified as a blended Scotch whisky, including for example a blend of single malt Scotch whiskies. As was the case under the Scotch Whisky Act 1988, regulation 5 of the SWR 2009 stipulates that the only whisky that may be manufactured in Scotland is Scotch whisky. The definition of manufacture
1008-569: Is malt whisky or grain whisky (or a blend of the two) made in Scotland . The first known written mention of Scotch whisky is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland of 1494. All Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley . Commercial distilleries began introducing whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century. As of May 2024, there were 151 whisky distilleries operating in Scotland, making Scotch whisky one of
1071-587: Is "keeping for the purpose of maturation; and keeping, or using, for the purpose of blending, except for domestic blending for domestic consumption". This provision prevents the existence of two "grades" of whisky originating from Scotland, one "Scotch whisky" and the other, a "whisky product of Scotland" that complies with the generic EU standard for whisky. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, allowing non-Scotch whisky production in Scotland would make it difficult to protect Scotch whisky as
1134-438: Is aged in various types of casks—and often in used port or sherry casks—during distinct portions of the maturation process, and will take on characteristics, flavour, and aromas from such casks. Special casks are sometimes used at the end of the maturation process, and such whiskies may be labelled as "wood finished", "sherry/port finished", and so on. Scotland's identity and heritage are deeply intertwined with Scotch Whisky,
1197-407: Is between 40% and 46% ABV. Whisky is considerably stronger when first emerging from the cask—normally 60–63% ABV. Water is then added to create the desired bottling strength. If the whisky is not diluted before bottling, it can be labelled as cask strength . A whisky's age may be listed on the bottle providing a guarantee of the youngest whisky used. An age statement on the bottle, in the form of
1260-422: Is distinguished by the absence of the word "single" on the bottle. The age of the vat is that of the youngest of the original ingredients. For example, a blended malt marked "8 years old" may include older whiskies, with the youngest constituent being eight years old. Johnnie Walker Green Label and Monkey Shoulder are examples of blended malt whisky. Starting from November 2011, no Scotch whisky could be labelled as
1323-575: Is known as a no age statement (NAS) whisky, the only guarantee being that all whisky contained in that bottle is at least three years old. The minimum bottling strength according to existing regulations is 40% alcohol by volume. Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: single malt Scotch whisky, single grain Scotch whisky, blended malt Scotch whisky (formerly called "vatted malt" or "pure malt"), blended grain Scotch whisky, and blended Scotch whisky. Many Scotch whisky drinkers refer to
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#17327915323731386-459: Is sometimes seen, called "double wood" or "triple wood", sometimes incorrectly referred to as "double malt" or "triple malt". These indicate that the whisky was aged in two or three types of casks. Hence, if the whisky otherwise meets the criteria of single malt, it still falls into the single malt category even if more than one type of cask was used for ageing. Examples include The Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood and Laphroaig Triple Wood. Another nuance
1449-512: Is still debated, as some bottlers maintain that consumers confuse the term with "blended Scotch whisky", which contains some proportion of grain whisky. The brand name featured on the label is usually the same as the distillery name (for example, the Talisker distillery labels its whiskies with the Talisker name). Indeed, the SWR prohibits bottlers from using a distillery name when the whisky
1512-403: Is that Lowland Scotch malts use a triple distillation just like Irish whiskey , breaking away from the general rule that all Scotch is double distilled. Single grain whisky is made with water and malted barley but the distillery then adds other grains or cereals, wheat , corn , or rye , for example. From that moment on, it can no longer be called single malt. This type of product must be from
1575-602: Is the Brown–Forman Corporation based in Kentucky , United States . Nonetheless, Scotch whisky is produced according to the current regulations, as to ageing, production, and so on, ensuring that it remains Scottish. Independents owned by Scots companies make a substantial amount of Scotch whisky, with the largest, William Grant & Sons , producing 8%, or about 7.6 million cases per year. Its brands include Balvenie , Glenfiddich , and Grant's . Glenfiddich
1638-564: Is the best-selling single malt Scotch in the world. Roughly 14 million bottles of Glenfiddich are sold annually. Most malt distilleries sell a significant amount of whisky by the cask for blending, and sometimes to private buyers as well. Whisky from such casks is sometimes bottled as a single malt by independent bottling firms such as Duncan Taylor , Master of Malt, Gordon & MacPhail , Cadenhead's, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society , Murray McDavid , Berry Bros. & Rudd , Douglas Laing , Adelphi and others. These are usually labelled with
1701-533: The Aberdeen council registers, in a case heard in 1505 by the town's bailies concerning the inheritance of goods belonging to a chaplain called Sir Andrew Gray, who died in 1504. Among his goods was recorded (in Middle Scots ) "ane stellatour for aquavite and ros wattir'". Aqua vitae (in the form of wine or spirits) was used when making gunpowder to moisten the slurry of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur. As
1764-563: The Court of Exchequer in Edinburgh for tougher sentences. Highland landowners were now happy to remove tenants who were distillers in clearances on their estates. These changes ushered in the modern era of Scotch production: in 1823 2,232,000 gallons of whisky had duty paid on it; in 1824 this increased to 4,350,000 gallons. A farmer, George Smith, working under landlord the Duke of Gordon ,
1827-529: The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SWR) define and regulate the production, labelling, packaging as well as advertising of Scotch whisky in the United Kingdom. They replace previous regulations that focused solely on production, including the Scotch Whisky Act 1988. Since the previous act focused primarily on production standards, it was repealed and superseded by the 2009 Regulations. The SWR includes broader definitions and requirements for
1890-670: The World War I , Distillers supplied industrial alcohol for making explosives. In 1922, it started to manufacture Discol-branded motor fuel made from alcohol. In 1928, it formed together with Turner and Newall the Carbon Dioxide Co Ltd to for sale of gas, a byproduct of their operations. In 1930, Distillers formed the British Industrial Solvents for production of acids and other solvents from industrial alcohol. In 1933, it formed Gyproc Products which
1953-606: The 25% increase in tariffs imposed by the U.S. in October 2019 would not be apparent until 2020.) Nonetheless, by year-end 2017, exports had reached a record-breaking amount. In November 2019, the Association announced that the government of the UK had agreed to consider revising the alcohol taxation system, hopefully producing a new plan that was simplified and "fairer". Exports in 2018 again increased 7.8% by value, and 3.6% in
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2016-762: The British Ministry of Supply manufacturing penicillin in Speke . The plant was one of the first two factories in Europe to produce penicillin. Following World War II , DCBL purchased the facility from the UK Government. Distillers was also responsible for the manufacture of the drug Thalidomide in the United Kingdom . Thalidomide had been developed by Grunenthal with whom, in July 1957, DCBL signed
2079-504: The UK declined significantly, and that included Scotch whisky. Distillers were required to close for some time and the hospitality industry worldwide experienced a major slump. According to news reports in February 2021, the Scotch whisky sector had experienced £1.1 billion in lost sales. Exports to the US were also affected by the 25% tariff that had been imposed. Scotch whisky exports to
2142-516: The US during 2020 "fell by 32%" from the previous year. Worldwide exports fell in 70% of Scotch whisky's global markets. A BBC News headline on 12 February 2021 summarized the situation: "Scotch whisky exports slump to 'lowest in a decade ' ". A 2016 report stated that only 20% of the whisky was made by companies owned in Scotland. Distilleries owned by Diageo , a London-based company, produce 40% of all Scotch whisky, with over 24 brands, such as Johnnie Walker , J&B and Vat 69 . Another 20% of
2205-433: The crafting, bottling, labelling, branding, and selling of "Scotch Whisky". International trade agreements have the effect of making some provisions of the SWR apply in various other countries as well as in the UK. The SWR defines "Scotch whisky" as whisky that: The Scotch Whisky Association acts as the regulatory body that ensures that Scotch Whisky is produced in accordance with traditional practices, as well as ensuring
2268-406: The distillery's name, but not using the distillery's trademarked logos or typefaces. An "official bottling" (or "proprietary bottling"), by comparison, is from the distillery (or its owner). Many independent bottlings are from single casks, and they may sometimes be very different from an official bottling. For a variety of reasons, some independent bottlers do not identify which distillery produced
2331-528: The economy in some remote rural areas, according to Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. "The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners like the Scotch Whisky Association to increase our tourism offer and encourage more people to visit our distilleries," the Secretary said. During the COVID-19 pandemic , exports of many food and drink products from
2394-400: The first time. The industry's contribution to the economy of the UK was estimated as £5.5 billion in 2018; the industry provided £3.8 billion in direct GVA (gross value added) to Scotland. Whisky tourism has also become significant and accounts for £68.3 million per year. One factor negatively affected sales, an extra 3.9% duty on spirits imposed by the UK in 2017. (The effect of
2457-448: The global trading system". Scotch whisky tourism has developed around the industry, with distilleries being the third most visited attraction in Scotland; roughly 2 million visits were recorded in 2018. Some 68 distilleries operate visitors' centres in Scotland and another eight accept visits by appointment. Hotels, restaurants, and other facilities are also impacted by the tourism phenomenon. Tourism has had an especially visible impact on
2520-464: The independent bottling company the flexibility to purchase from multiple distillers without changing their labels. There are two basic types of Scotch whisky, from which all blends are made: Excluded from the definition of "single malt Scotch whisky" or "single grain Scotch whisky" is any spirit that qualifies as a blended Scotch whisky. This exclusion is to ensure that a blended Scotch whisky produced from single malt(s) and single grain(s) distilled at
2583-545: The local area. They understood that the trade supported the rents paid. Imprisoned tenants would not be able to pay any rent. In 1823, Parliament eased restrictions on licensed distilleries with the Excise Act, while at the same time making it harder for the illegal stills to operate. Magistrates found counsel for the Crown appearing in their courts, so forcing the maximum penalties to be applied, with some cases removed to
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2646-456: The majority of distilleries produce only malt or grain whiskies; however a few distilleries such as Loch Lomond produce both malt and grain whisky at the same site. Scotland was traditionally divided into four whisky regions: Campbeltown, The Highlands, The Isle of Islay and The Lowlands. Due to the large number of distilleries found there, the Speyside area became the fifth, recognised by
2709-415: The most renowned geographical indications worldwide. All Scotch whisky must be aged immediately after distillation in oak barrels for at least three years. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to create that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed-age whisky. A whisky without an age statement
2772-598: The number of bottles, in spite of the duty imposed in 2017; exports grew to a record level, £4.7 billion. The US imported Scotch whisky with a value of just over £1 billion while the European Union was the second-largest importer, taking 30% of global value. This was a boom year with a record high in exports, but the Scotch Whisky Association expressed concern for the future, particularly "the challenges posed by Brexit and by tensions in
2835-405: The product is made by distillers owned by Pernod Ricard of France , including brands such as Ballantine's , Chivas Regal and Glenlivet . There are also 12% made by smaller distillers that are owned by foreign companies, such as Cutty Sark and Label 5 owned by La Martiniquaise of France , Dewar's and William Lawson's owned by Bacardi Limited of Bermuda and BenRiach whose parent
2898-421: The quote records eight bolls of malt given to Friar John Cor to make aqua vitae over the previous year. The term aqua vitae is Latin for "water of life" and was the general term for distilled spirits . This would be enough for 1,500 bottles, which suggests that distillation was well-established by the late 15th century. The first known reference to a still for making "aquavite" in Scotland appears in
2961-529: The region's export economy. In 1782, more than 1,000 illegal stills were seized in the Highlands: these can only have been a fraction of those in operation. The Lowland distillers, who had no opportunity to avoid taxation, complained that untaxed Highland whisky made up more than half the market. The heavy taxation during the Napoleonic Wars gave the illicit trade a large advantage, but their product
3024-447: The same distillery does not also qualify as single malt Scotch whisky or single grain Scotch whisky. Nearly 90% of the bottles of Scotch sold per year are blended whiskies. Three types of blends are defined for Scotch whisky: The five Scotch whisky definitions are structured in such a way that the categories are mutually exclusive. The 2009 regulations changed the formal definition of blended Scotch whisky to achieve this result, but in
3087-477: The term "pure malt" for the same purpose, causing a controversy in the process over clarity in labelling —the Glenfiddich distillery was using the term to describe some single malt bottlings. As a result, the Scotch Whisky Association declared that a mixture of single malt whiskies must be labelled a "blended malt". The use of the former terms "vatted malt" and "pure malt" is prohibited. The term "blended malt"
3150-438: The term. The label always features a declaration of the malt or grain whiskies used. A single malt Scotch whisky is one that is entirely produced from malt in one distillery. One may also encounter the term " single cask ", signifying the bottling comes entirely from one cask. The term "blended malt" signifies that single malt whisky from different distilleries is blended in the bottle. The Cardhu distillery also began using
3213-479: The totality of John Haig & Co. and in 1925 combined with John Walker & Son and Buchanan - Dewar on a share exchange basis. In 1929 DCL take over White Horse Distillers Ltd. . in 1985 James Gulliver’s Argyle group , which operated the Glen Scotia distillery, launched a hostile bid for DCL.The offer was rejected and The Distillers Company was finally acquired by Guinness in 1986. The transaction
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#17327915323733276-414: The various malts and grain whiskies to produce a consistent brand style. Notable blended Scotch whisky brands include Ballantine's , Bell's , Chivas Regal , Cutty Sark , Dewar's , Grant's , J&B , Johnnie Walker , Teacher's Highland Cream , The Famous Grouse , Vat 69 , Whyte and Mackay and William Lawson's . Most Blended Scotch Whiskies are made from the produce of at least two distilleries as
3339-403: The whisky in the bottle. Mostly this will be at the request of the whisky distiller as they are unable to regulate the quality of the whisky sold. Some distilleries, to prevent third-party bottlers from naming them on the bottle, add a small amount of whisky from a different distillery, a technique called 'tea-spooning' which then precludes the sale of the whisky as from a specific distillery, or as
3402-516: Was also considered better quality, commanding a higher price in the Lowlands. This was due to the method of taxation: malt was subject to tax (at a rate that climbed substantially between the 1790s and 1822). The licensed distillers, therefore, used more raw grain in an effort to reduce their tax bill. The Highland magistrates, themselves members of the landowning classes, had a lenient attitude to unlicensed distillers—all of whom would be tenants in
3465-626: Was incorporated as a joint venture of AIOC and Distillers Company. In 1956, the company was renamed British Hydrocarbon Chemicals. In 1945, Distillers formed a joint venture British Geon with B. F. Goodrich to produce polyvinyl chloride and in 1954 it started a partnership named Distrene with Dow Chemicals to produce polystyrene . In 1955, it took full control of Magnesium Elektron . In 1967, BP acquired chemical and plastic assets of The Distillers Company which were merged with British Hydrocarbon Chemicals to form BP Chemicals. From 1942, Distillers Biochemicals (DCBL) operated an Agency Factory of
3528-550: Was incorporated in 1877 as The Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL) and in 1894 DCL was listed on the Edinburgh and Glasgow stock exchanges. During the early part of the 1900s DCL embarked in programme of distilleries acquisitions at low prices in the wake of the Pattisons crash of 1898. In 1914 DCL claimed to be the ‘largest whisky distiller in the world and set up a subsidiary, Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd., In 1919 DCL purchased
3591-466: Was made. This process made manufacturing more affordable by performing the equivalent of multiple distillation steps. The new still dramatically increased production and the resultant whisky was less intense and smoother, making it more popular. Secondly, there was a shortage of wine and brandy in France, significant by 1880, due to phylloxera , a parasitic insect, destroying many vineyards, which led to
3654-510: Was marketed under the names Asmaval, Tensival, Valgis, and Valgraine and found to cause nerve damage and malformations in births. The Speke site, also known as Speke Operations , was eventually sold to Eli Lilly and Company in 1963. In February 2022 it was acquired by TriRX. Scotch whisky Scotch whisky ( Scottish Gaelic : uisge-beatha na h-Alba ; Scots : whisky/whiskie [ˈʍɪski] or whusk(e)y [ˈʍʌski] ), often simply called whisky or Scotch ,
3717-455: Was not made there. A bottler's name may also be listed, sometimes independent of the distillery. In addition to requiring that Scotch whisky be distilled in Scotland, the SWR requires that it also be bottled and labelled in Scotland. Labels may also indicate the region of the distillery (for example, Islay or Speyside ). Alcoholic strength is expressed on the label by Alcohol By Volume (ABV) or sometimes simply "Vol". Typically, bottled whisky
3780-623: Was shadowed by controversy because involved fraudulent activity, becoming known as the Guinness share-trading fraud . DLC was renamed as United Distillers in 1987.In 1998 United Distillers was merged with International Distillers & Vintners to create United Distillers & Vintners, forming the spirits division of Diageo plc. The company still exists today as Diageo Scotland Ltd. Many malt distilleries were operated by DCL and most are still open under new owners: The Distillers Company owned several blended whisky brands: Since 1915, during
3843-633: Was sold to British Plaster Board in 1944. In 1937, Distillers acquired British Resin Products. In 1939, it acquired a controlling stake in Commercial Solvents and 50% interest in BX Plastics , which full control was acquired in 1961. It followed by getting 48% shareholding in F. A. Hughes and Co. in 1941 and taking the full control in 1947. In 1947, F. A. Hughes and Co. was merged into British Resin. In 1947, British Petroleum Chemicals
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#17327915323733906-474: Was the first person in Scotland to take out a licence for a distillery under the new Act, founding the Glenlivet Distillery in 1824, to make single malt Scotch. Some of the distilleries which started legal operations in the next few years included Bowmore, Strathisla , Balblair , and Glenmorangie ; all remain in business today. Two events helped to increase whisky's popularity. The first
3969-399: Was the introduction in 1831 of the column still . Aeneas Coffey patented a refined version of a design originally created by Robert Stein, based on early innovations by Anthony Perrier, for the new type of still which produced whisky much more efficiently than the traditional pot stills . The column still allowed for continuous distillation , without the need for cleaning after each batch
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