What Is Single Malt Whisky?

Updated March 2026.

Single malt Scotch is a legal category, not a quality score. The 2009 Regulations require one distillery, water and malted barley only, pot stills, at least three years in oak in Scotland, and a 40% bottle floor. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old prints 40% / 80 on the US shop (prior this project). A 1.5-ounce pour at 40% is one NIAAA drink. American single malt is a different TTB type.

Related: blended whiskey, Glenfiddich line, Glenlivet vs Glenfiddich.

Category vs pour

Language 1.5 oz drinks
Single malt Scotch
Scotch floor 1.00 at 40%
Glenfiddich 12 US 1.00
American single malt From labeled ABV

A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four 12-year pours are four drinks. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 reg. 3: single malt = one distillery, water and malted barley, pot stills. Scotch ≥3 years, ≥40%.
  • shop.us.glenfiddich.com 12 Year Old prior this project: Alc./Vol. 40%, Proof 80.0. 27 CFR 5.143 American single malt. NIAAA December 2025.
  • 27 CFR 5.143 type — different file

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