Scotch

Generally high in alcohol, traditional Scotch is actually called uisge-beatha na h-Alba in the Gaelic translation. If you can’t pronounce that, it’s hardly surprising!

Scotch has to be produced under very specific conditions and follow very specific methods under Scottish law (where the beverage is produced). It is is made from malt or grain such as rye or wheat. Every whisky is guaranteed to be at least three years old because that is how long the ageing process takes.

This process takes place in an oak barrel, which is what gives Scotch whisky such a marvellous flavour. Over and above the three years, some Scotches are ‘age guaranteed’, which means the number of years listed as its age on the bottle, states that the product is at least that old. Possibly older. The main categories of Scotch include single malt, blended grain, and blended.

Scottish whisky is enjoyed for the way it warms the throat. It is a smooth beverage with rich flavours, which vary from product to product and also from brand to brand. With a number of low alcohol varieties on the market, lifelong whisky drinkers are finding it easy to reduce their alcohol consumption, whilst continuing to enjoy their favourite beverage.

That said, by law, Scotch whisky must have a minimum ABV of 40% so technically a non alcoholic Scotch whisky, like Nessie the Loch Ness monster, does not exist.

The “Scotch” spirits featured on our site are strictly at 1% or below, falling into the category of low alcohol, alcohol-free, zero-alcohol or de-alcoholised. For those avoiding all alcohol for health reasons, please get your doctor’s go-ahead before you indulge.