Laphroaig encourages responsible drinking. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. By entering this website, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and Use of Cookies.
Must be legal drinking age to enter this site.
What is Single Malt Whisky?
The purest expression of place, tradition, and time
What is single malt whisky? It’s a fair question — and the start of a bigger story. Single malt doesn’t just describe a type of whisky. It describes a philosophy. Made in one distillery, from malted barley and nothing else, it’s the purest expression of place, tradition, and time. It’s whisky with personality — bold, honest, and unmistakable.
If you’ve ever tried one and noticed a change — a taste that lingers, a feeling that stays — that wasn’t just alcohol. That was a single malt.
What does single malt mean, really?
Let’s break it down. What does single malt mean? “Single” means the whisky comes from one distillery. “Malt” means it’s made from 100% malted barley. No blends. No other grains. Just authenticity in liquid form. Every element of the process matters. The stills. The water. The climate. The casks. Even the people. It all becomes part of the final flavour.
At Laphroaig, our distillery sits by the Atlantic, shaped by sea spray and island peat. Our single malt carries that wildness. That identity. And we don’t hide it — we celebrate it.
How is single malt different from other whiskies?
There’s whisky. And then there’s single malt. A single malt comes from one distillery and is made only with malted barley. Nothing added. Nothing blended. Just the spirit of one place, bottled with intent. Blended whisky takes a different path — combining spirits from multiple distilleries, often mixing single malts with lighter grain whiskies to create something smoother and more consistent. Single grain whisky, despite the name, can include other grains like wheat or corn, and usually delivers a softer, more neutral profile. Then there’s bourbon, made in the United States, mostly from corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and following its own set of rules. A different beast entirely.
But what makes single malt stand out is more than just its purity. It’s about the distinct flavours shaped by the region. A Speyside dram might offer apples and honey. A Highland malt, dried fruit, and spice. But what is single malt Scotch from Islay? It’s peat smoke. Seaweed. Salt. Herbal, earthy, distinctive. These flavour differences are deeply tied to the region — one of the key ways to explore the types of Scotch and what sets them apart.
Laphroaig’s signature style divides opinion. And we’re fine with that. Our 10-Year-Old is bold, peaty, and distinctly linked to the coast. For those who want even more depth, there’s Quarter Cask — small barrels, big impact. Or try Laphroaig Lore, rich with history and smoke.
The craft behind every drop of single malt scotch
You can’t talk about what single malt Scotch is without mentioning cask, craft, and time. The single malt whisky-making process is as much about patience as it is about ingredients. After distillation, the whisky is matured in oak barrels — and not just any oak.
At Laphroaig, we rely mainly on ex-bourbon American-oak casks. These seasoned barrels impart creamy notes of vanilla, caramel, and warming spices — even hints of tobacco and leather — smoothing out our trademark peat smoke while preserving its essence. The sea air of Islay, constantly shifting with the seasons, seeps into the wood and leaves its mark. Every cask becomes a storyteller.
Maturation isn’t a waiting game. It’s an evolution. Young malts hit fast and bright. Older ones grow darker, deeper. On Islay, where sea air seeps into the wood, every cask tells a different story. Flavour doesn’t just happen. It’s earned.
Discover the bold character of single malt whisky
There are no rules here. Just suggestions. Drink it neat to feel its full power. Add a splash of water to open it up. Ice? Go ahead — if that’s how you like it. A good single malt doesn’t demand ceremony. Just attention.
You started by asking what single malt whisky is. Now you know — it’s more than a label. It’s a commitment. A bold stand for flavour, truth, and origin. It’s not made to be liked by everyone. It’s made to be remembered by those who truly connect with it. At Laphroaig, we don’t make whisky to follow the rules. We make it to honour where we’re from. If that resonates with you, then welcome. You’ve found your whisky.
