Whiskey single malt: rating. Single malt whiskey: names, prices

Whiskey is single malt, the rating of which is the highest of all kinds of "water of life", since this type of drink is considered the highest quality, is prepared only on the basis of barley malt and water. There are no other grains in the present "single malt". Depending on the manufacturer, the beverage can be double or triple distillation, it can be kept in barrels for 3 years or 20 years. Somewhere it is allowed to add dyes (for example, in the US it is actually necessary), somewhere - no.

The specificity of "single malt"

Brands and brands of single malt whiskey in the world are several dozen, if not hundreds. Traditional regions of the "water of life", Ireland and Scotland, can boast years of tradition and well-established production.

For example, single malt Irish whiskey Connemara Single Cask received 20 gold medals at international competitions, including the title of the "best in the world" in 2008, 2009. However, other countries do not lag behind them - this category is produced in the USA, Japan, Taiwan and some other countries.

Why "single malt whiskey"? The names of the varieties contain the name of the distillery that produced the product, and in the case of "single malt" there are several meanings. And one of them is that this is a product of one distillery, on it it is usually bottled. Sometimes allowed to blend several varieties of different aging years.

The main ingredients for it are barley malt and water. Among specialists, it is widely believed that "single malt", as this category of drink is called in English, is the most qualitative of all kinds.

In the classic recipe distillation is carried out in special copper cubes only two times. Only a few Scottish whiskeys have an officially confirmed right to drive three times. Another rule for the preparation of this "single malt" is aging for at least three years, but many producers, if not most, allow the drink to mature in barrels much longer.

Whiskey Single Malt: WWA (World Whiskies Award)

The World Whiskies Award was established by Whiskey Magazine. The judging board of WWA includes journalists, producers and whiskey sellers from all over the world. It is carried out since 2007 and annually makes a rating of the best drinks from available on sale.

In 2014, the jury offered more than 300 varieties of the drink, and the title of the best was awarded in 10 categories. The winner in the category "The best single malt whiskey in the world - 2014", was recognized as Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask, produced in Tasmania. It is hard to imagine a greater shock, especially since all previous years, starting from 2007, the title of the best jury alternately gave something to Scottish or Japanese products.

Now Sullivans - single malt whiskey, whose rating soared "to the skies." Winners in other categories, divided in agreement with the producing country, look like this.

Australia

The best whiskey is Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask.

The first distillation cubes appeared here in the XIX century, but the whiskey industry began to develop actively only in the 90s of the XX century. However, already in 2008, one of the most famous experts in its field, the publisher of the "Whiskey Bible" Jim Murray awarded several Australian products a very high rating - more than 90 points out of 100 possible.

USA

The winner is Balcones Texas Single Malt.

In the United States, most of the product produced there is bourbon, which is considered to be the national drink of the country. However, there are other species, for example, single malt whiskey, the rating and quality of which is no worse than the Scottish and Irish varieties. It's no surprise that Balcones Texas Single Malt was recognized by WWA as the best American whiskey.

Asia

The best is Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak, Taiwanese single malt whiskey. The name of the product, and before the plant, was given in honor of the homonymous Kavalan people, who once lived in the territory where distillery is now located.

Europe

• In the category with an unspecified time of exposure, the winner is Slyrs PX Finishing.
• Aged 12 years or less - Stauning Peated, 2nd Edition.

Ireland

This country is one of the traditional regions of whiskey production. Most of the varieties produced in Ireland are triplicate. The main producers here are only three, among them - Old Bushmills Distillery, which is the oldest among the licensed companies in the country. WWA has identified the following winners among Irish beverages:

• Connemara Peated Single Malt - the best single malt Irish whiskey in the category with unspecified aging time;
• Exposure 12 years or less - Bushmills 10 Years Old;
• Holding time 13-20 years - Bushmills 16 Years Old;
• 21 years old and more - Teeling 21 Years Old.

Japan

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the first factory for the production of "water of life" appeared only in 1923, and by the present moment a definition, rightfully deserved by many other Japanese products, "high quality", is quite applicable to Japanese whiskey . The products of this country's whiskeys are quite self-sufficient, and have their own unique brand. In the WWA ranking, the top positions were taken by varieties:

• Hakushu (in the category of drinks with an unspecified holding time);
• Miyagiko 12 Years Old Sherry & Sweet (an exposure of a dozen years or less);
• In the last two categories, Yamazaki won, 18 and 25 years of aging, respectively.

South Africa - Three Ships 10 Years Old

Whiskey is very popular in South Africa, it produces a variety of its varieties and species, including single malt, blended and others. Production of this drink on the continent began in the XIX century. Winner in 2014 - whiskey Three Ships 10 Years Old.

Scotland

Scotch single malt whiskey appeared in the late 18th century. Manufacturers of this country consider it useful to withstand whiskey in barrels from 8 to 15 years. There is an opinion that such a period is necessary for this drink to purchase a special taste and aroma.

Now in Scotland there are six main areas of Scotch production: highlands, plains, Isle Island, Campbeltown, islands, Speyside.

Highlands

Geographically, this is the largest region of Scotch production. Begins from the town of Vic (in the northern part of the country) and ends with the distillery Glengoyne in the south. In our time in this region there are more than 30 distilleries. Here is located Grlenturret, considered the most ancient Scotch whiskey. The region's distilleries are Royal Lochnagar (once honored by Queen Victoria), Tomatin (considered the largest in the country), Royal Brackla, Lochside and others.

Plain

Once it was a fairly large region of Scotch production. At the moment there are only three distilleries: Auchentoshan (practicing triple distillation), Bladnoch (the country's southernmost distillery), Glenkinchie.

Isle Island

Whiskeys with whiskeys are often described as "smoky" and "medical". The proximity of the sea gives them their own unique aroma, which is completely different from the scents of the high mountains or valleys. Here there are distilleries Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Laphroaig and others.

Speyside

The area near the Spey River. Whiskeys of this region are known as malt Scotch with a sweet taste. This is one of the centers of production in the country, here is the largest number of distilleries. Previously it was considered part of the highlands. Here are the distilleries Cardhu, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and others.

The Islands

The region unites all the islands of the country where Scotch is produced, with the exception of Aili - Arran, Mal, Jura, Orkney and Skye. The Scottish Whiskey Association considers these territories to be part of the highlands. Here there are distilleries Arran, Jura, Highland Park, Scapa and others.

The 2014 WWA won the Scottish single malt whiskey of the following varieties (champions were determined in four categories separately for each of the five regions):

• Highlands - Glenmorangie Signet, "Aberfeldi" 12 Years Old, "Tomatin" 18 Years Old, and Aberfeldy 21 Years Old;
• Islands - Jura Turas Mara, The Arran Malt 10 Years Old, Tobermory 15 Years Old;
• Isle Island - Ardbeg Ardbog, Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old, Bunnahabhain 18 Years Old, another Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old, and Scotch Glenkinchie 12 Years Old;
• Speyside - Glenfiddich Rick Oak, Benromach 10 Years Old, Glenfiddich 15 Years Old Distillery Edition, The Glenlivet XXV;
• And, finally, Campbeltown - Longrow, Springbank 10 Years Old, Springbank 18 Years Old.

Gold Outstanding IWSC Competitions

IWSC is an international competition for alcoholic beverages, which is held every year since 1969. This is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of alcohol, and it has one unique feature - each beverage participating in the competition undergoes mandatory technical analysis for compliance with EU standards. IWSC uses "blind tasting" - the drinks are served by the jury in the same bowl without any identifying signs to achieve maximum objectivity in the evaluation.

IWSC awards several awards of various levels. The most honorable is Gold Outstanding, awarded to alcohol of exceptionally high quality and taste. It is these unique properties that the whiskeys listed below have.

The best single malt Scotch whiskey (the rating of this drink in the world is still high, despite the competition) was determined in several categories, which eventually gave 18 titles. The award "Gold Outstaining" received scotches, selected separately for each region. Among the winners are the products of distilleries Glenfiddich, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Deanston and others.

Irish whiskey is single malt. The rating includes only three products, two of which are from one distillery: "Bushmills" 10 and 16 years old and Teeling Vintage Reserve 30 years old.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, he is only one - Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey.

The factory was built by the industrial group King Car. The corporation itself was founded in 1965 and operates in many areas - biotechnology, food, beverages. Among its most famous brands are Mr.Brown and RTD Coffee, and now Kavalan. The first bottle of whiskey produced by Kavalan in 2008.

Classic single malt whiskey, whose rating is so high due to IWSC, is made on a complex recipe. Several types of barrels are used: fresh from under sherry, from under bourbon, and barrels of re-use.

In addition, the Taiwanese product has one major advantage - thanks to the warm climate of the country, whiskey ripens faster, and a three-year-old drink can compete for its taste and flavor with products aged 8-15 years old from Scotland and Ireland.

In 2011, IWSC already awarded Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey - then he received a gold medal. Jim Murray in his "Whiskey Bible" also did not pass by his attention - the high evaluation of such a connoisseur costs a lot and contributes to the deserved popularity of the drink.

How much do elite spirits cost?

How much do you have to pay for elite whiskey, the winner of the world competitions, in the average online store? For example, Connemara Peated Single Malt - single malt whiskey, the price for it fluctuates around 2000 rubles. It is unique in that it was the first product in modern history, in the production of which dried peat malt was used.

Taiwanese Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey is sold for about 5000 rubles. Scotch Laphroaig An Cuan Mor Single Malt Scotch Whiskey will cost lovers from 5,5 thousand rubles. Up to 7,5 thousand rubles. And the Japanese single malt whiskey price makes it only more attractive - after all, the winner of many competitions and the winner of awards costs "only" about 60 thousand rubles.