Scotch whisky is among the most complex, luxurious, and delicious distilled spirits in the world. Just like its siblings bourbon, rye whiskey, and Irish whiskey, the mere mention of Scotch conjures images of dimly lit bars where sharply dressed patrons sip their single malt to a backdrop of low, moody music, clinks of ice on glass, and a wisp of fine cigar smoke.
It can be an intimidating image. Thankfully, whisky is for everyone, and enjoying it isn’t all that complicated. There are, however, just a few things that someone new to the world of whisky should know to maximize their enjoyment of Scotland’s native spirit.
And, if you're interested in learning more about whiskey, check out our guides on how to drink bourbon, how to drink whiskey neat, and how to drink whiskey on the rocks.
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What Is Scotch Whisky?
Melissa Kirschenheiter
Put simply, Scotch is any whisky made in Scotland that adheres to the country’s laws that govern the production of the spirit. There are a few popular styles of whisky produced in Scotland. Blended Scotch is the most widely produced. Typified by brands like Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, and Chivas, producers of this style source whisky from all over Scotland and sometimes blend it with grain whiskey to produce a uniform product.
Though the market is dominated by blended whisky, over the past few decades single-malt Scotch has become the most prized style among aficionados and enthusiasts alike.
“Many Scotch brands are known for producing single-malt Scotch: whisky made at a single distillery from malted barley, which often showcases the distillery’s unique style,” explains Chris Dennis, the global brand ambassador for The Glen Grant.
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Single-malt Scotches are prized for their complexity and uniqueness and the craftsmanship that goes into producing them. Because they're all distilled in copper pot stills, they tend to have a richer mouthfeel and deeper flavor. They can also vary quite heavily, with some tasting fresh, fruity and floral, and in the case of Scotches made with peat smoke, briny, smokey, and at times, medicinal.
“Peat, a type of fuel sourced from decomposed vegetation, is burned during the drying process of barley, infusing the whisky with a smoky flavor,” Dennis says.
“Upholding the tradition in how we produce, the terroir of our peat bogs, the diverse geography of our small island nation, the temperate climate, the mineral-rich water, our extensive history in making whisky, and the people have all played a role in having shaped this style of whisky and setting it apart from the rest of the world,” says Rory Glasgow, brand ambassador for Glenglassaugh, The Glendronach, and Benriach.
Scotch Whisky Regions
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Scotland is divided into five recognized whisky-producing regions, Speyside, the Lowlands, the Highlands, Islay, and Campbeltown. A sixth “unofficial” region called the Islands encompasses all of the distilleries on Scotland’s many outlying isles, such as the Orkney Islands or the Isle of Skye.
“Each region’s approach, from Speyside’s delicate single malts to Islay’s iconic peated styles, contributes to the remarkable diversity within Scotch whisky,” Dennis says.
Each region is known for producing certain styles of Scotch, but there are no hard rules.
“It must be stated that distilleries do not have to adhere to this style if they hail from a particular region,” Glasgow says. “They can produce whatever style they wish, it's more a product of tradition that these distilleries continue to make the style they have for decades, if not centuries.”
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The Highlands
The Highlands are the largest whisky-producing region in Scotland. It has a diverse landscape with coastal areas and rugged mountains.
“Traditionally the style is rich and full-bodied, but the vastness of the region allows it to also produce floral and delicate whiskies, too,” Dennis says. “They’re often influenced by the varied temperatures and natural resources found throughout the region.”
The Lowlands
Whiskies from the Lowlands are shaped by the region’s more mild climate and fertile soils, creating an overall softer flavor profile. “Lowland whiskies have a flavor profile in which the softness of the malted barley comes through and are therefore lighter and more gentle,” Glasgow explains.
Speyside
Speyside is a region defined by its proximity to the river Spey. It’s a hot spot for distilleries due to the reliable source of fresh water and is home to many of the most well-known Scotch producers.
“These single malts are typically very approachable with notes of honey, vanilla, fruit, and malt being found,” Glasgow says. “The spirit is typically medium in body and seldom peated.”
Campbeltown
“Campbeltown, once a thriving whisky hub, is now known for its more maritime influence, producing whiskies with a bold and distinctive briny character,” Dennis says.
The region’s proximity to the sea and its cooler, more unpredictable climate contribute to the rich, robust character of this region’s malts.
Islay
Perhaps the most notorious of Scotch-producing regions, the small Hebridean island of Islay is known for producing intensely smoky, peated whiskies. Historically, there was little vegetation on this island and it was difficult for distilleries to procure coal, so they used the locally found peat moss as fuel.
“The peat used in production provides the revered, complex smoky element to the grain,” Dennis explains. “The island's proximity to the sea can also add a briny, iodine character to many of its expressions.”
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How to Drink Scotch Whisky
“When people ask me about how to best drink whisky, I remind them at the end of the day, it's their whisky, and they should enjoy it however they want,” Glasgow says.
That said, it takes decades for a Scotch whisky to age and a lifetime to learn the craft of Scotch-making. There are hundreds of years of history and culture behind each drop of Scotch in your glass. A beverage like that deserves your time and attention.
Glassware
The whiskey glasses you choose to enjoy your whisky in actually makes a difference on enjoyment. Traditionally, whisky is served in a rocks glass due to its shorter sidewalls. That way, when the drinker brings the glass to their lips, the aromas of the whisky fill their nose, allowing the drinker to fully experience the whisky with every sip.
The Glencairn is a glass specially designed for concentrating the aromas of a whisky, making it easier to fully enjoy every aspect of a whisky. It has a teardrop shape with a wider bowl at the bottom and tapering sides that lead to a smaller opening, trapping the aromatic vapors in the glass.
Dylan Ettinger
Tasting
Nosing, or assessing the aroma of a spirit, is quite possibly the most important step in enjoying a fine whisky.
“When using the correct glassware, like a Glencairn, we can move our nose around the close outer periphery of the glass,” Glasgow says. “Keeping our mouth slightly agape, we hone in on our sense of smell. Too often we rush this with things we do in daily life when consuming. But for this, we slow down.”
The next step, naturally, is tasting.
“Sip slowly to appreciate the complexity and evolution of flavors. Pause between sips to allow the whisky’s characteristics to unfold. Enjoying in a quiet environment helps heighten the sensory experience,” Dennis says. “Don’t just taste it, get to know it!”
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“One very important part our palate will play, that's often overlooked, is identifying mouthfeel,” Glasgow explains. “We can think of it in terms that make sense to us; it's not strictly scientific—is it smooth, velvety, rich, unctuous, or is the mouthfeel more clean, coarse, or dry? This can tell us somewhat about age, cask type, and alcohol level.”
Related to that is the finish, or the flavors that linger once the whisky is swallowed. “Many would consider a long and lasting finish to be a tremendous quality,” Glasgow says. “At this stage, it's not necessary to put words to the flavors we encounter, but more just to notice them.”
Drinking Scotch Whisky Neat
Enjoying a whisky neat simply means sipping the spirit on its own without ice or any mixers.
“Many ‘serious’ whisky drinkers prefer a neat pour because it allows them to experience the full spectrum of flavors and aromas unaltered,” Glasgow says. “I also believe that as you learn more about how whisky is made, you desire to fully appreciate this product as everything about it is done intentionally to provide an experience to the end consumer.”
Drinking Scotch Whisky on the Rocks
Nigel Cox
It’s also common to enjoy whisky served over ice, or “on the rocks.”
Drinking a whisky with ice achieves two things. First, it cools the whisky, which softens the spirit a bit and makes it easier to sip. It also dilutes the whisky over time, making the overall alcohol by volume gradually drop as the ice melts.
“A single large ice cube is ideal, as it melts slower, minimizing dilution while chilling the drink,” Dennis recommends. “Small cubes can over-dilute, altering the flavor profile quickly.”
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Drinking Scotch Whisky With Water
It's also common for experienced drinkers to simply add a few splashes or drops of water to their whisky.
“Adding water can ‘open up’ a whisky, revealing hidden aromas and flavors,” Dennis explains. This is especially true of cask strength, or high-proof whiskies.
Be careful when adding water to your whisky—you can always add more, but once it’s mixed with your Scotch, you can’t take it out.
“To avoid over-diluting, start small and use precision. When I'm at a tasting and I want to be precise, I use pipettes and distilled water,” Glasgow says.
Dylan Ettinger
Drinking Scotch Whisky in Cocktails
Scotch whisky isn’t nearly as commonly enjoyed in whiskey cocktails as bourbon and rye whiskey—in fact, some purists find the act heretical.
“For some Scotch enthusiasts, a Scotch cocktail may seem like a sin, but I find that in certain cocktails, such as my personal favorite, the Rob Roy, it can be lovely,” Glasgow says.
Scotch is the base spirit in a handful of classics like Bobby Burns and The Godfather, as well as modern classics, like Penicillin.
Related: Craving Vintage Whiskey? Here's How to Find Bottles On Your Own
Meet the Experts
- Chris Dennis is a global brand ambassador for The Glen Grant
- Rory Glasgow is a brand ambassador for Glenglassaugh, The Glendronach, and Benriach
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