If you haven’t paid close attention to the world of American whiskey, you might not realize that American single malt whiskey is a recognized category by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as of December 18, 2024. Even though there have been distilleries producing it for a decade or more, it’s still a young category.
This might confuse fans of single malt Scotch whisky. What exactly are the differences between the two strikingly similar whisk(e)y styles?
American single malt whiskey vs. single malt Scotch whisky
I’ve been drinking whisk(e)y for around two decades. In that time, I’ve enjoyed some truly outstanding single malt Scotch whiskies and single malt whiskies from all corners of the globe, from Sweden to Taiwan. I’ve also imbibed my fair share of American single malt whiskey. While strikingly similar to its Scottish predecessor, American single malt whiskey has many differences as well.
Above all else, there is one distinct difference between the two, and it’s fairly obvious. American single malt whiskey is made in the US, and single malt Scotch whisky is made in Scotland. Neither can be made in another country. But there are more clearly defined differences between the two.
The differences
Distillation methods: The distillation methods can be different between the two. In the US, American single malt whiskey can be made in both pot stills and column stills, while single malt Scotch can only be produced using copper pot stills.
Age requirements: American single malt whiskey has no minimum age requirement, while single malt Scotch whisky must be aged for at least three years.
Flavors: Since American single malt distillers often age in new oak, some expressions tend to lean into spicy flavors more than their counterparts across the proverbial pond.
The similarities
While there are differences, there are also many similarities.
- Both are made from 100% malted barley and distilled at a single distillery.
- While single malt Scotch whisky is often aged in previously used oak barrels, it’s also aged in ex-sherry casks, ex-bourbon, and more. The same goes for American single malt whiskey. It can be aged in new or used barrels and is often aged and finished in ex-bourbon, sherry, and even port barrels (among others).
- Since both are made with 100% malted barley and use similar production and aging methods, they are very similar in flavor profile. That said, if you’re a fan of single malt Scotch, you understand that a bottle from the Highlands is likely to taste very different than a bottle from Islay. Single malt Scotch ranges from soft, heather, and honey to rich, robust peat smoke and ocean brine. While there aren’t single malt whiskey regions in the US like in Scotland, there are different flavor profiles from fruity and soft to spicy to even peated and mesquite-smoked expressions.
Bottom line
If you truly want to understand the nuanced differences and similarities between American single malt whiskey and single malt Scotch whisky, your best bet is to drink a dram of each side by side and compare the aromas and flavor profiles yourself. Just be sure to grab bottles with similar profiles. Make sure both are unpeated or both are. Don’t mix and match, or it defeats the purpose.
