Grain whisky
Encyclopedia
Grain whisky ordinarily refers to any whisky
made from at least some grain
s other than malt
ed barley
, such as whisky made using maize
(corn), wheat
or rye
.
Some grain whiskies also contain malted barley spirits (particularly in Scotland, where they are known as Blended Scotch Whisky).
Whisky made from only malted barley (or primarily from malted barley) is typically called malt whisky
rather than grain whisky. This can be confusing, since barley is a type of grain and therefore both malt whisky and grain whisky are made from grain.
These terms have special meanings in reference to Scotch whisky
. Outside of Scotland, malt whisky may also be considered a type of grain whisky.
In Scotland
, "malt whisky" must use a 100% malted barley mash and must be distilled in a pot still
, and grain whisky is typically distilled in a continuous column still
in a manner that results in a "lighter" but less flavorful spirit. Because of this practice, grain whisky is seldom bottled by itself in Scotland, where it is instead manufactured explicitly for blending with malt whisky to create blends, which account for over 90% of all Scotch whisky sales. Their comparative lightness is used to smooth out the often harsh characteristics of single malts
.
Occasionally well-aged grain whiskies are released as "single grain whisky" or "blended grain whisky" in Scotland, and the best of these can be held in the same league as single malts. These terms can be confusing. Outside of Scotland, they may be interpreted as indicating that only a single grain (in the case of single grain whisky) or a blend of grains (in the case of blended grain whisky) were used in making the whisky. However, a "Single Grain Scotch Whisky" is defined as a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of one or more grains at a single distillery, in the same way that a "Single Malt Scotch Whisky" refers to a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of malted barley at a single distillery. Likewise, a "Blended Grain Scotch Whisky" is defined as a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of one or more grains at more than one distillery, in the same way that a "Blended Malt Scotch Whisky" refers to a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of malted barley at more than one distillery.
Outside of Scotland, the use of continuous column still
s and the use of a non-barley mash is not so closely associated with the production of "light" whisky (whisky with little flavor due to distillation at a very high degree of alcohol by volume
). For example, nearly all American whiskey
is produced using column stills, and all American whiskey that is labeled as Bourbon
, Malt, Rye, Rye Malt, Wheat, and Straight
whiskey is required use a distillation level not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (abv). Because of this constraint, much of the American column still
whiskey may actually be less "light" than some Scotch or Irish Single Malt pot still
products. In the United States
whiskey produced at greater than 80% abv is formally classified as Light whiskey and cannot be labeled with the name of a grain or called Malt, Bourbon or Straight. Similarly, many American whiskeys are grain whiskeys that use little or no barley in the mash, and yet are far from being Light whiskey.
Grain Distillery in Fife
is owned by Diageo
; the North British Distillery in Gorgie
, Edinburgh, is jointly owned by Diageo and The Edrington Group
; Invergordon Grain Distillery, owned by Whyte and Mackay
; Strathclyde Grain Distillery in the Gorbals
, Glasgow, owned by Pernod Ricard
; Girvan
Grain Distillery, owned by William Grant & Sons
, the Loch Lomond Distillery
in Alexandria and finally the newest grain distillery in Scotland the Starlaw Distillery in Livingston which began production in 2011 [Owned by La Martiniquaise].
; the Carsebridge Grain Distillery in Alloa
(1925–1983), the Caledonian Grain Distillery in Haymarket, Edinburgh
(1855–1988) and Cambus Grain Distillery in Tullibody
(1806–1993), which were all owned by United Distillers
; and the Port Dundas
(1813–2009) Grain Distillery in Glasgow
, owned by Diageo
.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
made from at least some grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
s other than malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
ed barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, such as whisky made using maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
(corn), wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
or rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
.
Some grain whiskies also contain malted barley spirits (particularly in Scotland, where they are known as Blended Scotch Whisky).
Whisky made from only malted barley (or primarily from malted barley) is typically called malt whisky
Malt whisky
Malt whisky is whisky that is made from a fermented mash produced primarily from a malted grain. Unless otherwise specified, it is generally assumed that the primary grain is barley, although whisky is also made using malted rye...
rather than grain whisky. This can be confusing, since barley is a type of grain and therefore both malt whisky and grain whisky are made from grain.
These terms have special meanings in reference to Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
. Outside of Scotland, malt whisky may also be considered a type of grain whisky.
In Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, "malt whisky" must use a 100% malted barley mash and must be distilled in a pot still
Pot still
A pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
, and grain whisky is typically distilled in a continuous column still
Column still
A column still, also called a continuous still, patent still or Coffey still, is a variety of still consisting of two columns invented in 1826 by Robert Stein, a Clackmannanshire distiller, and it was first used at the Cameron Bridge Grain Distillery in Fife, Scotland. The design was enhanced and...
in a manner that results in a "lighter" but less flavorful spirit. Because of this practice, grain whisky is seldom bottled by itself in Scotland, where it is instead manufactured explicitly for blending with malt whisky to create blends, which account for over 90% of all Scotch whisky sales. Their comparative lightness is used to smooth out the often harsh characteristics of single malts
Single malt Scotch
Single Malt Scotch is whisky made in Scotland using a pot still distillation process at a single distillery, with malted barley as the only grain ingredient...
.
Occasionally well-aged grain whiskies are released as "single grain whisky" or "blended grain whisky" in Scotland, and the best of these can be held in the same league as single malts. These terms can be confusing. Outside of Scotland, they may be interpreted as indicating that only a single grain (in the case of single grain whisky) or a blend of grains (in the case of blended grain whisky) were used in making the whisky. However, a "Single Grain Scotch Whisky" is defined as a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of one or more grains at a single distillery, in the same way that a "Single Malt Scotch Whisky" refers to a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of malted barley at a single distillery. Likewise, a "Blended Grain Scotch Whisky" is defined as a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of one or more grains at more than one distillery, in the same way that a "Blended Malt Scotch Whisky" refers to a Scotch whisky distilled from a fermented mash of malted barley at more than one distillery.
Outside of Scotland, the use of continuous column still
Column still
A column still, also called a continuous still, patent still or Coffey still, is a variety of still consisting of two columns invented in 1826 by Robert Stein, a Clackmannanshire distiller, and it was first used at the Cameron Bridge Grain Distillery in Fife, Scotland. The design was enhanced and...
s and the use of a non-barley mash is not so closely associated with the production of "light" whisky (whisky with little flavor due to distillation at a very high degree of alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
). For example, nearly all American whiskey
American whiskey
American whiskey is a distilled beverage produced in the United States from a fermented mash of cereal grain.The production and labeling of American whiskey are governed by Title 27 of the U.S...
is produced using column stills, and all American whiskey that is labeled as Bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, Malt, Rye, Rye Malt, Wheat, and Straight
Straight whiskey
Straight whiskey is whisky created by distilling a fermented cereal grain mash to create a spirit not exceeding 80% alcohol content by volume and then aging the spirit for at least two years at an abv concentration not exceeding 62.5% at the start of the aging process.Filtering and dilution...
whiskey is required use a distillation level not exceeding 80% alcohol by volume (abv). Because of this constraint, much of the American column still
Column still
A column still, also called a continuous still, patent still or Coffey still, is a variety of still consisting of two columns invented in 1826 by Robert Stein, a Clackmannanshire distiller, and it was first used at the Cameron Bridge Grain Distillery in Fife, Scotland. The design was enhanced and...
whiskey may actually be less "light" than some Scotch or Irish Single Malt pot still
Pot still
A pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
products. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
whiskey produced at greater than 80% abv is formally classified as Light whiskey and cannot be labeled with the name of a grain or called Malt, Bourbon or Straight. Similarly, many American whiskeys are grain whiskeys that use little or no barley in the mash, and yet are far from being Light whiskey.
Current
In Scotland, Grain Whisky is currently manufactured at seven Grain Distilleries: Cameron BridgeCameron Bridge
Cameron Bridge is a village in the conurbation of Levenmouth in Fife, Scotland. It is near to the village of Windygates and only 2 miles west of the town of Leven. A distillery was established in the 19th century by the Haig family, which is now part of Diageo...
Grain Distillery in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
is owned by Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
; the North British Distillery in Gorgie
Gorgie
Gorgie is an area of west Edinburgh, Scotland, located near Murrayfield, Ardmillan and Dalry. It is home to Tynecastle Stadium, home of Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian Football Club, and the North British Distillery, which creates a distinctive odour in parts of the area.The area...
, Edinburgh, is jointly owned by Diageo and The Edrington Group
The Edrington Group
The Edrington Group Limited is a major Scotch whisky company involved in blending, bottling, distributing and marketing. It produces several well-known brands, including The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark, and premium single malts The Macallan and Highland Park...
; Invergordon Grain Distillery, owned by Whyte and Mackay
Whyte and Mackay
Whyte and Mackay Ltd is a Scottish company producing alcoholic beverages. It was founded in 1844 and is based in Glasgow. Since May 2007, Whyte and Mackay has been owned by United Breweries Group, a large Indian conglomerate....
; Strathclyde Grain Distillery in the Gorbals
Gorbals
The Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. By the late 19th century, it had become over-populated and adversely affected by local industrialisation. Many people lived here because their jobs provided this home and they could not afford their own...
, Glasgow, owned by Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a French company that produces distilled beverages. The company's eponymous products, Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, are both anise-flavoured liqueurs and are often referred to simply as Pernod or Ricard...
; Girvan
Girvan
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Girvan dates back to 1668 when is became a municipal burgh incorporated by by charter...
Grain Distillery, owned by William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons Ltd. is an independent, family-owned Scottish company which distills Scotch whisky and other selected categories of spirits. It was established in 1887 by William Grant, and is now run by the descendants of the founder. It is the largest of the handful of Scotch whisky...
, the Loch Lomond Distillery
Loch Lomond Single Malt
The Loch Lomond Single Malt is a Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky produced by the Loch Lomond Distillery in Alexandria, Scotland, near Loch Lomond.-Fictional depiction:...
in Alexandria and finally the newest grain distillery in Scotland the Starlaw Distillery in Livingston which began production in 2011 [Owned by La Martiniquaise].
Former
Former Grain distilleries included: the Dumbarton Grain Distillery (1938–2002) owned by Allied DomecqAllied Domecq
Allied Domecq PLC was an international company, headquartered in Bristol, UK that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses. It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard.-History:...
; the Carsebridge Grain Distillery in Alloa
Alloa
Alloa is a town and former burgh in Clackmannanshire, set in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on on the north bank of the Firth of Forth close to the foot of the Ochil Hills, east of Stirling and north of Falkirk....
(1925–1983), the Caledonian Grain Distillery in Haymarket, Edinburgh
Haymarket, Edinburgh
Haymarket is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is in the west of the city and is a focal point for many main roads, notably Dalry Road , Corstorphine Road and Shandwick Place .Haymarket contains a number of popular pubs, cafés and...
(1855–1988) and Cambus Grain Distillery in Tullibody
Tullibody
Tullibody is a town set in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies north of the River Forth near to the foot of the Ochil Hills within the Forth Valley. The town is south-west of Alva, north-west of Alloa and east-northeast of Stirling...
(1806–1993), which were all owned by United Distillers
United Distillers
United Distillers was a Scottish company formed in 1987 from combining the businesses of Distillers Company and Arthur Bell & Sons, both owned by Guinness. The company owned six Scotch whisky brands, which were relaunched as the Classic Malts range...
; and the Port Dundas
Port Dundas
Port Dundas is an area of Glasgow, Scotland, located to the north of the city centre. It lies to the north of Cowcaddens, and to the west of Sighthill, with Hamiltonhill and Possilpark to the north-west.-History:...
(1813–2009) Grain Distillery in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, owned by Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
.