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Single malt Scotch whisky is a very popular choice among the whisky drinkers. Matured to perfection, these whiskies go down easy, as they are not just any whisky you get in the market. Scotch is one of the best-known exports in the world, and is strictly outlined by Scots law for the drink to warrant the name. Moreover, makers take the production seriously, as the drink has such big reputation.
For a whisky to be labeled Scotch, it should be distilled in Scotland, should be distilled at least twice, and matured in oak casks for at least three years. Single malt indicates that the drink is made from only malted barley, from a single distillery, and matured for at least three years. The age shown on the label of the whisky is the age of the youngest ingredient in it.
Scotch does not age once it is bottled, but it can be stored indefinitely in the bottle. You can store the scotch unopened, out of direct sunlight to keep the flavors and taste intact. Scotch whiskies make use of chill filtration and it is a hot discussion topic among the whisky aficionados.
What is Chill Filtration?
Chill filtration is the process of cooling the whisky below freezing point. The drink will be cooled to -1°C, and pushed through a paper or metal filter. This filtration will remove the elements that make whisky look cloudy.
Whisky gets its smell and taste from the ingredients, most of which are soluble in water-ethanol mixture. Some of these ingredients dissolve only at certain temperatures. When the whisky is diluted with cold water, some of these ingredients clump together to form particles called as “micelles.” The micelles scatter light giving a cloudy appearance to the liquid. This phenomenon is called chill haze. If the liquid is filtered when it is cold, the compounds that lead to chill haze can be removed easily.
A clearer whisky is seen as a sign of quality, but some of the whisky lovers feel that chill filtering some of the compounds will take away flavor or taste of the drink. This is the reason chill filtration is a hot debate topic among the whisky lovers. Whatever be the filtration method, single malt scotch is loved by many whisky lovers across the globe.
