Scottish whisky is distilled twice, Irish whiskey thrice. American and Irish whiskies are spelt “ey”
The Glenlivet is now the world’s best selling Malt. It has eclipsed Glenfiddich which held that record for a good number of years.
The oldest whisky is the Glenavon Special Liqueur Whisky, bottled by the Glenavon Distillery in Ballindalloch, Scotland, between 1851 and 1858.
An opened bottle of whisky can remain good for 5 years.
Glenmorangie is the best selling malt in the UK while Famous Grouse is the best selling blended whisky.
More Scotch is sold in one month in France than Cognac in a year.
Blended whisky is most popular in London, while a quarter of all malt whisky sales are in Scotland.
Drinks-led pubs account for 23.3% of value sales for blended whisky, and 24.4% of value sales for malt whisky, according to the Wm Grant 2015 Market Report (CGA).
Scotch whisky has to be bottled at a minimum strength of 40% ABV. Some cask strength whiskies can be as high as 61% in strength.
To be considered Scotch Whisky, the spirit must mature in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years.
Scotch Whisky accounts for approximately one quarter of the UK’s food and drink exports.
The whisky category is worth £990m. Blended whisky accounts for £409m and malts for £158m, with American whisky worth £351m. Figures from the Wm Grant 2015 Market Report (CGA).
Blended whisky is becoming more seasonal with a larger proportion going through the last three months of the year.
Macallan ‘M’ is considered to be the world’s most expensive whisky since a bottle sold for £393,109 last year at auction in Hong Kong.
Drinkers in the UK often choose to drink whisky with just a little water, but in Spain they mix it with cola. In Japan, it is enjoyed with lots of water and ice, and in China with cold green tea.
Approximately 20 million casks lie maturing in Scottish warehouses.