Ask anyone in any part of the world to name a country associated with whisky, and they will say Scotland. Whilst there are some other countries that do produce single malt whiskies, Scotland is synonymous with the stuff, and one of the best bands coming out of this part of the United Kingdom (UK) is Loch Lomond Whiskies.
The soaring price of Scotch whisky
Over the past few years or so, the price of single malt Scotch whisky has increased rather dramatically. For instance, in 2018 alone, the price went up by as much as 40 percent. Some of the most expensive whiskies for sale are Scotch whiskies, which goes to show the high regard that this stuff has for drinkers.
For instance, in 2019 a single bottle of 1926 Macallan Scotch whisky was sold at Christie’s auction house in London for a world record price of £1.2 million. When it comes to recording high prices, whiskies from other parts of the world do not eleven come close to how much Scotch whiskies sell for.
Scotch whisky is highly exclusive
Whilst single malt whisky is made across the globe in countries such as Japan, Spain, England, India, America, etc., none of these compare with the stuff made in Scotland. Whisky can only be classified as Scotch if it is made in Scotland due to the protected geographical indicator status that it has. There is also a requirement that it is matured and distilled in a particular way in order for it to be classified as Scotch whisky.
It is this that makes Scotch whisky so exclusive and why it is so desirable to so many people from all around the world.
The distillation environment
If there was no protected geographical indicator status in place, it would mean that any distillery in any country could use the very same process to make their whisky and go ahead and call it a Scotch whisky. Whilst they would likely taste very good, they would not be true Scotch whiskies – hence the need for legislative protection.
Even though the distillation process can be replicated by anyone, there is something perfectly unique about the climate, geology, and water in Scotland which all contribute to creating the perfect whisky. Even within Scotland, these variables can differ greatly, which is why there are so many good whisky producers in the country. This means that a whisky produced in the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains will taste completely different to one that has been produced on the Isle of Skye.
The romanticism it evokes
There is no doubt about it that Scotch whisky evokes a certain level of romanticism in comparison to the generic whisky that you can purchase in high street supermarkets. The best Scotch whisky comes with a personal geographic stamp and a long history, so drinking it will evoke certain images of the Scottish landscape, places, people, and their culture. This is something other types of whisky do not do.