Global sales volume of Scotch whisky 2015, by country
Scotch whisky - additional information
Scottish whiskies are among the most valued spirits in the world. Some are light and fruity; others are heavily flavored by peat and smoke. Whiskies from the coast contain a refined salinity. Single malts from the Highlands are tangy and powerful, while the Lowlands produce more gentle varieties.
On the 23rd of November 2009, the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SWR) was implemented. This regulation sets the rule on how Scotch whiskies must be produced, labeled, packaged and advertised. There are two basic types of Scotch whisky, which all blends stem from. Single malt Scotch whisky is produced from water and malted barley at a single distillery by batch distillation in pot stills. A single grain Scotch whiskey may also be produced from whole grains of other malted or unmalted cereals. A blended malt Scotch whiskey is a blend of two or more single malt Scotch whiskies from separate distilleries. Lastly, a blended grain Scotch whisky is a blend of two or more single grain Scotch whiskies, also from distinct distilleries.
In 2015, France recorded the highest sales volume of Scotch whisky worldwide, followed by the United States and Spain. In 2014, Scotland produced over 285 million liters of Scotch whisky, the only type of whisky which may be produced in the country.