These Popular Scotch Whisky Myths Are Keeping People From Enjoying a Dram

Distilled in Scotland since the 1400s, Scotch whisky is one of the world’s most enduring and iconic spirits. There’s such romanticism and mythos that surround the “water of life” that it can create a fractured narrative. Misinformation fosters confusion, which can make scotch intimidating and cause some people to avoid the category.

“A lot of the myths are a product of snobbery coming from older men,” says Mitch Bechard, a whisky entrepreneur and consultant based in Aberdeen, Scotland. “This kind of snobbery goes back a couple of generations in Scotland, and it’s all [garbage].”

In an effort to make one of the world’s finest spirits more approachable and less pretentious, here are the most prominent myths concerning scotch, debunked.

Myth #1: All scotch are smoky peat bombs

For many people, burly, heavily peated expressions that taste like bonfires define scotch. Yet it represents only a sliver of this rich and varied category.

“It’s a particular style of single malt Scotch whisky,” says Rory Glasgow, national brand ambassador for The Glendronach, Benriach, and Glenglassaugh single malt scotch brands. “It just happens to be a style that’s loved by some and loathed by others.”

There are five traditional scotch-producing regions in Scotland. The smoke bombs are produced almost exclusively in the Islay region, a small island just off Scotland’s west coast. The other four regions don’t lean into peat like Islay, which allows fruity and spicy notes to rise to the surface. Some bottles skip peat entirely, which results in scotches bearing aggressive tropical fruit flavors.

Myth #2: Blended scotch is inferior to single malt

Blended scotch has long been viewed as boring, mass-produced whisky that lacks distinct character. Journalists may have helped to perpetuate this mindset, but there are other factors at play.

“Johnnie Walker is the first scotch many people have, and it’s a smoky, blended scotch,” says Bechard. “People may assume that they don’t like blends based on that initial experience.”

However, a properly blended scotch can be fantastic. The careful combination of meticulously ratioed whiskies can form unique and complex flavor expressions that can stand up to their single malt counterparts. Some still cling to this myth about blended scotch, but some informed enthusiasts know better. The blends from Compass Box Whisky, for example, are highly coveted by scotch aficionados.

Myth #3: The older the scotch, the better

The age displayed on a scotch bottle isn’t a definitive symbol of superiority. The number represents how long the whisky matured inside a barrel, but there are other factors that affect how a scotch evolves. 

A prominent fruity note in a 12-year expression could transform into a faint whisper in its 18th year. This can be disappointing for those who love that fruity note. Conversely, those who drink the older stuff exclusively may miss out on a fresher expression that’s not as shaped by barrel influence. 

“Age is but a number,” says Glasgow. “A single malt whisky can produce whiskies of all sorts of flavor profiles and quality over its years.”

Myth #4: Scotch doesn’t belong in a cocktail

The Penicillin, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, and Blood & Sand are all famed cocktails known for their scotch whisky base. Blended scotches and peaty single malts work particularly well, as the cocktail’s other ingredients balance out the scotch’s more aggressive qualities. Cocktails that feature scotch don’t necessitate that you sacrifice the “good stuff,” either. There are plenty of affordable scotches on the market that make solid additions to anyone’s home bar.

Myth #5: Only ingredients from Scotland are allowed in scotch

Strict rules surround scotch distillation, one of which dictates that the whisky must be distilled from 100% barley. However, these rules don’t specify where to get the barley.

The casks that hold the whisky also often come from outside of Scotland.

“Our casks are sourced from across the world,” says Glasgow. “Much of the oak will come from America, with some coming from Continental Europe and small amounts from Japan.”

Myth #6: Scotch isn’t for those just getting into whiskey

This idea stems in part from the gatekeeping often evident among enthusiasts back in the day.

“At the start of my career, I was a young lad speaking to these older boys, and they all wanted to flex their knowledge of scotch,” says Bechard. “They also tended to look down at women when they talked. Scotch was [considered] a man’s drink for a man’s world.”

Scotch is a spirit for all (who are of age) to experience, learn about, and enjoy. All it takes is to find an entry point into the category. Once that happens, all of these myths won’t matter.