Classic Malts of Scotland


The Classic Malts of Scotland is a selection of six single malt whiskies, launched and marketed together in 1988 by United Distillers and Vintners which is now owned by Diageo. They are often displayed together in bars and liquor stores. Diageo has since marketed other single malt labels and expressions with the Classic Malts labeling. The six original malts are:
WhiskyAgeAlc. %Region
Dalwhinnie15 years43%Highland
Talisker10 years45.8%Isle of Skye
Cragganmore12 years40%Speyside
Oban14 years43%West Highland
Lagavulin16 years43%Islay
Glenkinchie12 years43%Lowland

UDV's regions differ from the more conventional categorisations of Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown, and Islay. The region of West Highland was created to separate between Oban and Dalwhinnie. Talisker is the only distillery on the Isle of Skye, which has never been a whisky region unto itself, but would be in the Island subregion; though this categorisation enabled UDV to include both Talisker and Lagavulin, strongly flavoured malts with strong followings. Campbeltown, a formerly prominent whisky-making region, is not featured in the range.

Distiller's editions

All six of the original "Classic Malts" have also been released as limited edition "Distiller's editions", which are finished with additional maturation in special casks selected by the master distiller at each distillery. Dalwhinnie is finished in Oloroso casks, Glenkinchie in Amontillado, Cragganmore in Port, Oban in Fino sherry from Montilla, Talisker in amoroso sherry, and Lagavulin in Pedro Ximénez sherry.