S - as in Single Malt Whisky

What is a Single Malt Whisky?

In summary, a whisky may only be referred to as a Single Malt Whisky if two conditions are met:

1. The whisky comes from a single distillery.
2. The whisky was made exclusively from malted barley.

That's the short version. However, to answer the above question in detail, it is first helpful to look at the definition of the term "whisky" itself. This is because certain regulations apply depending on the country in which the whisky is produced.

https://youtu.be/xNtNjC3o_CM

How is whisky defined in Germany?

For Germany and other European countries, EU Spirits Regulation 2019/787, which has been in force since April 17, 2019, regulates the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirits and the protection of geographical indications. According to this European guideline, which also applies to St. Kilian Distillers, "whisky" is defined as follows:

• Whisky (or the spelling with an additional "e", i.e. "Whiskey", as is common in Ireland) is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation of a yeast-fermented mash of malted grain – with or without whole grains of unmalted grain.
• In addition to the enzymes present in the malted grain, other natural enzymes may be added to saccharify the mash (this does not apply in Scotland).
• Distillation may only be carried out up to an alcohol content of a maximum of 94.8% by volume, so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used.
• The final distillate, which may be diluted with water, must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks (not necessarily oak, as is required in Scotland, for example) with a capacity of no more than 700 litres.
• Only water and plain caramel (E 150a, for colour adjustment) may be added to the whisky (or whiskey).
• The minimum alcohol content of whisky (or whiskey) is 40% vol.
• No diluted or undiluted alcohol may be added.
  

When does a whisky qualify for the addition "Single Malt"?

Whisky (or whiskey) may only be supplemented by the addition "Single Malt" if it has been distilled exclusively from malted barley in a single distillery. The term "Single" therefore does not refer to a single grain variety, a single cask, a single batch or a single year, but to a single distillery where the whisky was produced. The addition "Malt" prescribes the exclusive use of malted barley. Accordingly, a "Single Malt Whisky" is a whisky that has been produced from 100 percent malted barley in a single distillery according to the respective valid, legal regulations of the country of production.

Is a Single Malt limited in the number of whisky casks?

No. It is irrelevant whether a Single Malt Whisky has been blended from different casks, as is often the case with distilleries – including St. Kilian Distillers with regard to the various bottlings of the Signature Editions. As long as it is a whisky made exclusively from malted barley and originating from a single distillery, the contents of any number of casks (which comply with the respective country-specific regulations) can be blended for a bottling – and it is still a Single Malt Whisky.

What is a Single Malt Single Cask Whisky?

If a Single Malt Whisky comes from a single cask, it is a "Single Malt Single Cask Whisky". This is often the case with our mild and smoky hand-filled whiskies.

When is a whisky referred to as a Blended Malt?

As soon as even a single drop of a Single Malt Whisky from another distillery is added to the Single Malt from this one distillery, this combination can no longer be referred to as Single Malt. The prescribed term for this type of whisky is then: Blended Malt Whisky.