Scotch Whisky is a spirit distilled and aged in Scotland on Pot Stills and/or Column Stills using only water, yeast, malted barley and other grains. The resulting spirit has to be aged in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum period of three years before it can be called Scotch Whisky, and the only permitted additive is caramel colouring (E150). To be classified as Scotch Whisky, all the steps involved in making the whisky must be carried out in Scotland. 

To be known as Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the spirit must also be made only with malted barley using pot still distillation at a single distillery in Scotland, and be bottled in Scotland. Mixing together two or more single malt whiskies from different distilleries is known today as Blended Malt Whisky. A geographical indicator of region may also be used. These regions are the Lowlands, Highlands (including Islands), Speyside, Islay and Campbeltown.

Grain Whisky is made from a mashbill containing less than 100% barley, or any whisky that has been made on a column still. The most common grains for this type of whisky are wheat, corn and rye. Mixing Scottish malt and grain whisky together produces Blended Scotch Whisky. Some blended Scotch whiskies contain whiskies from dozens of different distilleries. The most recognisable examples of Blended Scotch Whisky in the UK are Johnnie Walker, Bell’s, Teacher’s and Famous Grouse, although other brands such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s are well known in international markets.