When whisky is newly produced much of it is taken by the blenders and put in their own casks to be stored. Later it used by that blender when he decides it is ready to mix with other malts and grain whisky to give the distinctive characteristics he wants for his blend. G is for Glenlivet. Two hundred years ago there were well over 200, producing illegally, and the quality of the water flowing off the granite of the mountains, and through peat, has much to do with its fame. H is for Highland.
Scotch whisky is defined as being produced in four areas.
Lowland, Island, Campbeltown and Highland, of which the latter is by far the biggest. Speyside is part of the Highlands but deserves a category of its own. Highland whiskies vary enormously from Pulteney of Wick to Tullybardine in the South of Perthshire, Glenury Royal in Kincardine on the East Coast to Ben Nevis in the far west. It is impossible to categorise them in flavour bouquet or body as they are so diverse. I is for Islay.