Malt whisky

Malt Whisky is a type of whisky that is made from a fermented mash produced primarily from a malted grain. Usually, this grain is barley. Malt whisky is a subcategory of whisky that includes several different types of whisky from around the world.

History

The history of malt whisky dates back to ancient times. The process of malting barley was likely discovered by the Celts, who found that soaking the grain in water and allowing it to germinate made it easier to grind and more flavorful. This process was eventually applied to the production of whisky.

Production

The production of malt whisky begins with the malting process. The barley is soaked in water and allowed to germinate. This process converts the starches in the barley into sugars, which are necessary for fermentation. The malted barley is then dried in a kiln to stop the germination process.

The dried malt is then ground into a coarse flour known as grist. The grist is mixed with hot water in a process known as mashing. This extracts the sugars from the barley. The resulting liquid, known as wort, is then cooled and transferred to a fermentation vessel.

Yeast is added to the wort, and the fermentation process begins. The yeast consumes the sugars in the wort and produces alcohol. This process takes several days, and the resulting liquid, known as wash, is typically about 7-8% alcohol by volume.

The wash is then distilled to increase the alcohol content. The first distillation takes place in a pot still, and the resulting liquid, known as low wines, is about 20-25% alcohol by volume. The low wines are then distilled a second time in a spirit still. The resulting spirit is typically about 70% alcohol by volume.

The spirit is then aged in oak casks for a period of years. The aging process allows the whisky to develop complex flavors and aromas. The minimum aging period for malt whisky is typically three years, but many malt whiskies are aged for much longer.

Types of Malt Whisky

There are several different types of malt whisky, including single malt, blended malt, and single grain malt. Single malt whisky is made from 100% malted barley and is produced at a single distillery. Blended malt whisky is a blend of single malts from different distilleries. Single grain malt whisky is made from malted barley and one or more other grains.

Regions

Malt whisky is produced in several regions around the world, each with its own unique characteristics. These include Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Japan. In Scotland, there are several whisky-producing regions, including the Highlands, the Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown.

See Also

• Whisky
• Scotch whisky
• Irish whiskey
• Bourbon whiskey
• Rye whiskey