The Spirit of Scotland, Scotland
In the first of a 12-part series on Scotch Whisky, Graham Howe looks at the history and culture of "uisge beatha" (the ‘water of life’).The Scots are a secretive lot. No-one really knows who distilled the first precious dram of whisky in Scotland. And if they do know, they’re not telling. The bards and minstrels pay many tributes to the spirit but none will reveal the precise birthplace of the country’s great whisky tradition. Shrouded in the mists of time, the origins of whisky have become the romantic stuff of legend and myth as heroic as the tales of Braveheart.
According to tradition, missionary monks discovered the secret of distillation in the sixth century. On their travels, the wise men came across the alembic, an ancient copper apparatus used for distilling perfume in the Middle East. The merry monks soon thought of a better use for it, devised a pot-still for distilling the pure spirit, and brought their gift to Scotland.
Robbie Burns, one of Scotland’s greatest poets, wrote: "Freedom and whisky gang together." A magical elixir for the warriors and nectar to inspire the poets, the coveted pride of the mountain clans has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the moors and highlands. Centuries later, connoisseurs of fine whisky all over the world enjoy the refined lifestyle associated with the Scotch market leaders, notably the top-sellers J&B Rare, Bell’s Extra Special and Johnnie Walker.
Intrinsically noble, Scotch whisky is as traditional as tartan, as distinct as the bagpipes and as pure as the spring water integral to the spirit of Scotland. Whatever its origins, we do know that whisky derives its meaning from the Gaelic words uisge beatha, meaning "aqua vitae" or "water of life". The Scots take their national spirit seriously. And if it was the monks who brought the equipment, it was the grateful locals who perfected the recipe – centuries later, the master distillers of Scotland make whisky using the same three simple-yet-essential ingredients – water, malt and yeast. Passed down through the generations, the making of Scotch whisky is an ancient craft with a formula that continues to defy imitators around the globe.
There is a clear distinction between Scotch and all other whiskies. Although produced in various parts of the world today, only whisky that is distilled, matured and bottled in Scotland can legally be called Scotch. Interestingly enough, in Scotland the Scots insist on simply calling their spirit whisky. After all, they’ll tell you, no other country is a serious competitor when it comes to making the right stuff… Or perhaps it has to do with them drinking little else when it comes to whisky – hence no need to differentiate!
Scotch whisky comes in three forms: malt whisky, grain whisky and a blend of the two. Most of the more famous brand leaders are blended whiskies, using a combination of malt and grain whiskies that could be sourced from a number of distilleries. A "single malt" whisky is the product of a particular distillery, whereas blends of these are termed "malt whisky".
Malt whisky is made from barley. The distillate of a pot-still, it’s what the Scots have been making at distilleries across the countryside over 500 years. Rich and complex, single malt whiskies are known for their individuality and distinct flavour. Each of
"The Classic Malts" Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Oban and Talisker, for example, reflect the qualities of the local ingredients and the nuances of the landscape in which the distillery is situated. Grain whisky is made from maize or wheat, and made differently to malt whisky by way of a column - instead of pot-still.
The exact recipes for the world’s most exclusive names in Scotch whisky are among Scotland’s most closely guarded secrets – particularly in respect of the finest blends comprising various ratios of malt and grain whisky, usually from more than one distillery. Generally, it is only the master blender as guardian of the tradition who knows precisely what goes into every bottle.
n In future articles, we’ll journey to the heart of Scotland to explore the landscape and legends of whisky, from the highlands to the islands and beyond. Watch this space for a step-by-step whisky tasting guide, and revelations as to the origins of the world’s most renowned whisky brands.
