The smokey flavor is probably the most distinctive quality of Scotch Whiskey. It comes from the drying process which allows the smoke of the buring peat to come in contact with the malted barley. The smokieness can be fairly subtle to fairly robust. Soctch whisky is perhaps one of the most confusing of the whiskey categories, as well as the most distinctive. All Scotch whisky must include malted barley, be aged for at least three years, and if there is an age statement on the bottle, it must reflect the youngest whisky included.

There are five different, and specific, categories of Scotch Whisky.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky - means it was produced at a single distillery (Single) only from malted barley (Malt), by batch distillation in a pot still.

Single Grain Scotch Whisky - means it was produced at a single distillery (Single) from grains of any type of combination (Grain), but it must include some malted barley.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky - means it is a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries.

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky - means it is a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries.

Blended Scotch Whisky - means it is a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.