Food & Drink | Scotch Whisky
Ask people what they associate most with Scotland and you'll probably get a variety of answers - tartan, golf and Robert Burns would certainly all be mentioned. But the most common answer is likely to be whisky.
Acknowledged as Scotland's national drink, whisky - in the Gaelic, uisge beatha (pronounced oosh-ga beh-huh), meaning water of life - has been produced here for longer than anyone can remember.
Something that began centuries ago as a way of using up rain-soaked barley after a wet harvest in Scotland, whisky is now one of the country's biggest earners, bringing billions of pounds into the British economy every year.
Distillery visits are a great way to see some of Scotland's finest scenery, a place you can relax and take in the view as you sample a nice malt whisky.
Make sure you try some Scotch whisky when you visit Scotland. There is a whisky to suit everyone's taste - from Scotch malt whisky to blended varieties - and it is sure to surprise you.
About Scotch Whisky »
Scotch whisky is divided into four distinct categories: single malt, vatted malt, blended and single grain. The most popular whiskies you are likely to try are either blended whisky or a single malt whisky.
How is whisky made? »
There are two kinds of Scotch whisky: malt whisky and grain whisky. Malt whisky is made from malted barley only, while grain whisky is made from malted barley together with unmalted barley and other cereals.
Tasting Whisky »
All the information and handy hints that you'll need to tasting Scotland's wonderful variety of whiskies.
The art of blending whisky »
A blend will consist of anything from 15 to 50 different single whiskies, combined in the proportions of a formula that is the secret of the blending company
Whisky Bars Of Edinburgh »
12 leading 'Whisky Bars of Edinburgh' have joined together to promote their high quality whisky experience
Whisky Bars of Glasgow »
Six famous 'Whisky Bars of Glasgow' have joined together in a new collaboration to promote their high quality whisky experience
Whisky Regions »
Like wines - and many other drinks - the single malts of Scotland are grouped by region. The regions in Scotland, the Lowlands, the Highlands, Campbeltown and the island of Islay have their origins in the regulation of licences and duties, but they do also embrace certain characteristics.
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