Scotch vs Whiskey

In simple words the key difference between scotch and whisky is geography where it is originated, ingredients and believe it or not how they are spelled.

Geography:

Scotch is whisky made in Scotland and bourbon is whiskey made in the America especially Kentucky.

Ingredient:

Scotch mostly from malted barley

Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from corn.

Spelling:

In England it is spelled whisky for Scotch.

Irish whiskey spelled with an ‘e’

There are so many other minor differences Scotch And Whiskey depending on location and recipe.

Other Facts:

In United Kingdom Scotch is just called whisky and therefore when a whisky is ordered it is assumed that a scotch will be provided. If one wants anything else it needs to be specified. In rest of the world it is known as just Scotch.

Scotch must conform to the regulations of ‘The Whisky Act 1988’ passed by the parliament of United Kingdom. The act makes it illegal to sell Whiskey as Scotch Whisky if it does not conform to the standards laid down by this act. The act specifies that the Scotch needs to be distilled at a Scottish distillery strictly in accordance with the procedures specified by this law. It also specifies that it must be distilled to an alcoholic strength of less that 94.8% and must not be bottled at an alcoholic strength of less than 40%. It also specifies that the scotch must be matured in oak casks in Scotland for not less than three years and a day. The permitted ingredients in scotch are water and grain fermented by adding yeast. Caramel for color may be added. This is fermented in oak casks.

Whiskey on the other hand produced worldwide must conform to the national standards of the country of production. Whiskey may be produced by any of the local methods that are popular and from the ingredients that are popular but Scotch will only be produced in one of the four methods. These are single malt, vatted malt, blended and single grain.

Scotch would generally have a very light and smooth taste as compared to the other whiskies and hence is preferred at social gatherings as a drink acceptable to all.

Summary of difference between Scotch And Whiskey

Geography: Scotch is whisky made in Scotland and bourbon is whiskey made in the USA.

Ingredient: Scotch mostly from malted barley Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from corn.

Spelling: For Scotch the word Whisky is always spelt without the alphabet e.

Standards: Scotch must be as per the standards and rules laid down in The Whisky Act 1988.

Smoothness: Scotch is generally lighter and smoother in taste than other whiskies.

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