Nomenclature: what does “single malt” mean?

Self-tutoring about terms one hears: the tutor discovers the meaning of “single malt.”

The following is according to my understanding.

I’m not a whiskey drinker. Yet, one hears the term single malt often. What does it mean, and why is it called that?

From a consumer’s point of view, single malt first of all means that it’s top-shelf among whiskey. Connoisseurs claim to detect a flavour profile in single malt that simply can’t be found in other whiskey. The difference seems to be that single malt has a depth of flavour that gives rise to a much richer profile than is possible otherwise.

What defines single malt, from a practical perspective, is how it’s made. Malted barley (malted means it’s sprouted; ie, the plant has begun to grow out from the seed) is fermented. Start to finish, it’s a single batch; nothing is added to it. Hence, single malt.

Interesting, eh?

Source:

matthewfergussonstewart.com

foodandwine.com