Scottish whisky – otherwise known as Scotch – is one of life’s great pleasures. Smooth, sweet and aged to perfection, Scotland’s national drink is beloved across the world. In South Africa, Scotch is often enjoyed as a shared ritual – poured for guests, passed around a braai, or savoured slowly as conversations stretch into the evening.
Understanding Scotch whisky isn’t about memorising rules or learning to taste like an expert — it’s about discovering styles that suit your palate. Our guide to Scotch shares everything you need to know about our whisky. Where it’s made, how it’s produced, and of course, how to drink it.
Whether you’re drawn to smooth, fruit-led single malts or curious about bolder, smoky expressions, this guide will help you navigate Scotch with confidence.
A HISTORY OF SCOTCH
Scotch is a distilled alcoholic beverage made in Scotland from water, cereals and yeast. It’s one of the most popular types of whisky and is recognised as the national drink of Scotland.
The first records of Scottish whisky date back to 1494. It’s here in the Exchequer Rolls that ‘water of life’ was first mentioned as ‘aqua vitae’. Over the next 200 years, whisky became pretty popular. Enough to attract the attention of parliament who began taxing the spirit in 1644. This led to a spike in illicit whisky distilling and smuggling for the next 150 years, with Scotch hidden in every nook and cranny of Scotland – even the clergy’s pulpit.
By the 1820s, more than half of Scottish whisky was enjoyed illegally, including the first bottles of The Glenlivet whisky as made by our founder George Smith. Even the King enjoyed a dram, demanding a drop of the infamous Glenlivet whisky on a state visit in 1822.
A year later, the Excise Act was passed which allowed sanctioned whisky making for a licence fee and payment per gallon. This saw George become the first legal distiller in the parish of Glenlivet and as the years went by, more and more producers started creating their own spirits, leading to Scotland becoming responsible for over £6 billion worth of Scotch each year.
Scotch whisky isn’t something to master – it’s something to return to. With an understanding of how it’s made, the styles available, and the regions that shape its flavour, you’re free to explore at your own pace, guided by curiosity rather than rules. Whether you’re discovering Scotch for the first time or refining your palate, every bottle offers a new perspective on craftsmanship, place and time.
GET MORE WHISKY GUIDES
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Get the guide to the home of The Glenlivet whisky
Discover which whisky is best suited to you
Two ingredient whisky cocktails you can make in minutes
