Single malt Scotch

This designation indicates that the whisky was aged in two or three types of casks, but was not blended; hence, it still falls into the single malt category.

[4] In the following centuries, the various governments of Scotland began taxing the production of whisky, to the point that most of the spirit was produced illegally.

An Upper Drummin farmer in the Glen Livet valley, George Smith, working under landlord the Duke of Gordon, was the first person in Scotland to take out a licence for a distillery under the new law, founding what would become the Glenlivet Distillery in 1824, making single malt Scotch.

[9] In the 1830s, Aeneas Coffey patented a refined version of a design originally created by Robert Stein, based on early innovations by Sir Anthony Perrier, for a column still.

The blended Scotch proved quite successful, less expensive to produce than malt, and exhibited more flavour and character than grain.

After the 1850s, blended Scotch became far more popular than single malt whisky which eventually became a niche product for connoisseurs.

A common feature in design originating from Charles C. Doig was that of a pagoda like roof that improved the efficiency of distilleries by drawing off peat smoke in the malting process.

[18] However, while whisky production was widespread in Scotland, the number of single malts was comparatively limited until the late 20th century.

[19] Independent distilleries owned by Scots companies make a substantial amount of whisky too, particularly William Grant & Sons, the largest of these.

[20] Glenfiddich is the best-selling single malt Scotch in the world;[21] roughly 14 million bottles are sold annually.

[24] Whisky tourism has also become significant and accounts for £68.3 million per year; the percentage contribution to this industry by single malt Scotch distilleries, however, has not been released.

"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 added.

Many of the independents began as stores and merchants who bought the whisky in bulk and bottled it for individual sales.

Established independent bottlers include Duncan Taylor, Murray McDavid, Douglas Laing & Co, and Blackadder.