THE WCC GUIDE: LOWLANDS

On Scotland’s east coast, Dundee is the northern limit of the Lowland region. The Lowlands extend south to the Scottish/English border and include eight single malt distilleries; Although Lowland malts produce a lighter style, they accentuate citrus, ‘grassy,’ and clean oak notes.

As a matter of fact, Lowlands enjoys a reputation as the home of lighter and more floral single malts. Several Lowland distilleries have acquired a reputation as “The Lowland Ladies” because of their smooth, delicate flavors. Auchentoshan, the Lowland’s most famed distillery, gained its reputation with triple-distilled whisky. This technique makes for a very light and well-balanced flavor.

The Lowlands are also known for their distilleries at Bladnoch and Glenkinchie. Bladnoch is known for its smokey, peaty notes, while Glenkinchie is known for being one of the most flavourful whiskies around.

Lowland Whisky is chiefly associated with blends, as the region has a reputation for being the most productive in Scotland. Lowland malt is recognized for its light and grassy flavor profile. A few companies continue to produce it, primarily for the blending market.

The Lowlands region has been associated more with grain whisky and blended whisky than malt whisky. Blended whisky often contains a high proportion of Lowland malt because its milder flavour profile does not overpower the other constituent whiskies.

On the other hand, Lowland whiskies aren’t always made with barley. It may contain wheat and/or corn (making them grain whisky), and peat plays a less prominent role. Lowland distilleries use huge continuous column stills to quickly produce enormous quantities of grain whisky. These create a light, grassy style used as the base of blended Scotch.

While single malt production is now concentrated in the Highlands, Lowland distilleries are responsible for producing a large portion of the grain whisky used in blended Scotch. Lowland distilleries use tall, column-shaped stills to produce multiple times more whisky than a standard pot still.

Lowland Whisky is chiefly associated with blends, as the region has a reputation for being the most productive in Scotland. Lowland malt is recognized for its light and grassy flavor profile. A few companies continue to produce it, primarily for the blending market.