Malt whiskey

Malt whisky is whisky that is made from a fermented mash consisting primarily of malted barley. If the product is made exclusively at a single distillery (along with other restrictions), it is typically called a single malt whisky.

Although whisky can be made using other malted grains, they are not called malt whisky without specifying the grain, such as one made with rye being called rye malt whisky.

The exact definitions of "malt whisky" and "single malt whisky" and the restrictions governing their production vary according to the regulations governing the marketing of whisky in the local jurisdiction.

In Scotch whisky regulations, malt whisky must be made in pot stills using water and malted barley without the addition of any other cereals and must be aged for at least three years in oak casks. The use of new barrels is not required. Caramel coloring can be added (but no other additives are allowed).

Irish whiskey regulations are near identical to Scotch regulations. Malt whiskey must be distilled in a pot still from a mash of 100% malted barley, which may be peated or unpeated in character (though typically unpeated malt is used). As with all Irish whiskeys, it must be matured for at least three years in wooden casks (which may have been previously used), and must contain a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume, with the only additive permissible being caramel coloring. Single pot stil whisky, while also being primarily made from malted barley, is not called "malt whisky", as it contains unmalted barley; it is considered a separate category under Irish regulations.

In the United States Code of Federal Regulations, the Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits define a "malt whisky" as a whisky produced at an alcohol by volume (ABV) level not exceeding 80% from a fermented mash of not less than 51% malted barley grain and stored for aging in charred new oak containers at less than 62.5% ABV. If such a whisky has been aged for at least two years, contains no added coloring and flavoring, and has not been blended with neutral spirits or other types of whisky, the additional adjective straight can be applied, as in straight malt whisky. A blended whisky that contains at least 51% straight malt whisky may be labelled as blended malt whisky or malt whiskey – a blend.

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Wikipedia