legal
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Defined in law
A blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies distilled at more than one distillery, with no grain whisky component.
Where it is defined
Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3(2)
Often confused with blended Scotch
Blended malt contains only malt whiskies from two or more distilleries; blended Scotch must contain both malt and grain whisky.
Worth knowing
Formerly sold as 'vatted malt' or 'pure malt'. 'Pure malt' — and any adjectival use of 'pure' with 'malt' — is now unlawful on Scotch under reg. 11.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms