MODULE 03 · 9 MIN
The Five Legal Categories of Scotch Whisky
The categories are Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Malt, Blended Grain and Blended Scotch Whisky. Single Malt comes from one distillery, uses only water and malted barley, and is distilled in pot stills. Single Grain also comes from one distillery but may use other cereals and usually uses continuous distillation.
Blended Malt combines Single Malts from more than one distillery. Blended Grain combines Single Grains from more than one distillery. Blended Scotch combines one or more Single Malts with one or more Single Grains. Category explains composition; it does not rank quality.
Key ideas
There are five legal Scotch categories.
Single refers to one distillery.
Category is a composition rule, not a quality ladder.
Glossary
- Blended Malt
- Single Malt whiskies from more than one distillery.
- Blended Scotch
- A combination of one or more Single Malts and one or more Single Grains.
Three-question self-check
Pause before moving on.
1. Can you explain: There are five legal Scotch categories.
There are five legal Scotch categories.
2. Can you connect: Single refers to one distillery.
Single refers to one distillery.
3. Can you define “Blended Malt” in your own words?
Category is a composition rule, not a quality ladder.
Sources & further reading
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009UK Legislation
- SWA — Protecting Scotch WhiskyScotch Whisky Association
Last reviewed: 2026-08-09