🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
Malt is grain that has been germinated and dried, for example barley. Under Regulation (EU) 2019/787, whisky is distilled only from a mash of malted cereals, possibly with whole grains of unmalted ones, saccharified by the diastase of the malt itself: malt enzymes turn starch into sugars, which yeast then ferments.
Scotch whisky under the 2009 rules is made from water and malted barley, to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added; saccharification is by the mash's own enzymes only. Single malt Scotch is just malted barley, water and the copper pot stills of one distillery. Malt is dried with peat, and the degree of peating is the distiller's choice, from none to heavy.
In Irish pot still whisky the mash must contain at least 30% malted and 30% unmalted barley; according to the technical specification, unmalted barley gives a spicy flavour and creamy texture. American single malt whiskey since 2025 is 100% malted barley distilled at one distillery in the US, and American malt whisky is at least 51% malted barley.
Malt is needed beyond whisky too: in Norwegian aquavit, barley malt enzymes may break down potato starch, and the grain distillate of genever may include barley among other cereals. EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol. to preserve the flavour of the raw material.
Why it matters to you. "Single malt" on a label means only malted barley and one distillery, not age or barley variety. The smoky taste of many Scotches comes from the peat used to dry the malt. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Raw material | malted barley; whole grains of unmalted cereals permitted |
|---|---|
| EU category | 2 (whisky) |
| Distillation method | EU whisky below 94.8% vol. |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, cat. 2; Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009; 27 CFR § 5.143 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Barley and malt in whisky → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation, 🍷 Yeast
- Previous step
- 🥃 Norwegian aquavit (Norsk Akevitt)
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- Made from
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 🥃 American single malt whisky, 🥃 Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- What is made from it
- 🥃 Genever, 🥃 Shochu, 🥃 Blended Irish Whiskey, 🥃 Irish Single Malt Whiskey, 🥃 Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Irish Grain Whiskey, 🥃 Irish Whiskey, 🥃 Highland whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Campbeltown whisky
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, ⚗️ How spirits are made
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky, 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
Frequently asked questions
What is malt?
Grain that has been germinated and dried; its enzymes (diastase) saccharify the starch of the mash. Under EU rules every whisky must contain malted cereals.
Is it true that "single malt" is whisky from a single variety of barley?
No. "Single" means one distillery and "malt" means malted barley only; the law does not specify the barley variety.
Where does the smoky taste in some Scotches come from?
From the peat used to dry the malt; the degree of peating is chosen by the distiller, from none to heavy (Scotch Whisky technical specification).
Why does Irish pot still use unmalted barley?
According to the Irish Whiskey specification, it gives a spicy flavour and creamy texture; the mash has at least 30% malted and 30% unmalted barley.
How much malt is in American malt whisky?
At least 51% malted barley; in American single malt, 100% (27 CFR § 5.143).
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Wine label — The sticker on a bottle: who made it, where from, the year and strength.
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Scotch from a single distillery: only malted barley, water and copper pot stills; at least 3 years in oak, 40% vol. or more.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
- 🥃 Irish Whiskey — Geographical indication of the island of Ireland since 1989: whiskey distilled and matured for at least 3 years in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Similar
🥃 Rye and corn in whisky · 🍷 Yeast · 🍷 Ethanol · 🥃 Blue agave
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 2 (Whisky or whiskey)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), as made
- Technical File for Scotch Whisky, June 2019 (DEFRA, GI)
- Technical File Irish Whiskey / Uisce Beatha Eireannach / Irish Whisky, DAFM, Oct 2014 (copy on gov.uk)
- 27 CFR § 5.143 Whisky (USA, TTB standard of identity), text via Cornell LII
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)