Which Scotch whisky category combines single malts from more than one distillery?

Blended malt Scotch whisky combines single malt whiskies produced at more than one distillery.

Each component in a blended malt is made from malted barley in pot stills, but the whiskies come from multiple distilleries. Producers blend them to create a particular flavor profile, balance, or house style. The category was formerly often called “vatted malt” or “pure malt.”

This style differs from single malt Scotch, which must come from one distillery even though it may contain whisky from several casks. It also differs from blended Scotch whisky, which combines malt whisky with grain whisky. Single grain Scotch, meanwhile, comes from one distillery but may use grains other than malted barley and is commonly made in column stills.

Since 2009, Scotch whisky labeling regulations have used “blended malt Scotch whisky” as the official category name. Older bottles and historical sources may therefore use “vatted malt” or “pure malt” for a broadly similar style.