What is Scotch liquor made from?

Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. Malting: Barley is soaked in water until it sprouts, which activates enzymes that break down the starches into fermentable sugars.

2. Mashing: The malted barley is crushed and mixed with hot water to extract the sugars.

3. Fermentation: Yeast is added to the sugary liquid (called "wort"), which converts the sugars into alcohol.

4. Distillation: The fermented liquid is heated, and the alcohol vapors are collected and condensed into a spirit.

5. Maturation: The spirit is aged in oak barrels for at least three years, gaining its distinctive color, flavor, and aroma.

While malted barley is the primary ingredient, some Scotch whiskies may also include other grains like wheat, rye, or corn in small amounts.

It's important to note that the term "Scotch" is a protected designation, and only whisky produced in Scotland can be legally called Scotch.