Spanish whisky

Spain has a small but long whisky tradition, with DYC as the big name since the mid-20th century and a new wave of malt distilleries in recent decades. The country is also key for whisky all over the world: many of the sherry casks used by Scottish distilleries are prepared in Andalusia. In the catalogue you’ll find DYC’s classics and single malts such as Embrujo de Granada.

In the catalogue
4 whiskies
Distilleries and brands
2
Most common type
Blend
Peated
0 of 4

History, style and where to startIts distilleries on the world map

4 whiskies

Guide to Spanish whisky

History

In 1959 the businessman Nicomedes García founded Destilerías y Crianza del Whisky (DYC) in Palazuelos de Eresma, in Segovia, on the banks of the River Eresma and close to the Guadarrama mountains. For decades it was the main Spanish whisky brand and one of the most popular in the country, and today it belongs to the Suntory group. Since the beginning of the 21st century, malt distilleries such as Liber, in Granada, and other small distilleries around the country have been born, giving Spanish whisky a new variety.

What the law says

As in the rest of the European Union, whisky must be made from grain, matured for at least three years in wooden casks of up to 700 litres and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV. Spain has no denomination of its own for whisky.

Style and flavour

There is no single Spanish style. DYC mainly makes light, smooth blends, designed to be drunk on the rocks or in mixed drinks, as well as malt and older versions. The newer malt distilleries look for a character of their own, often with casks of Spanish wines such as sherry or Pedro Ximénez, which bring dried fruit and sweetness. The climate, warmer than Scotland’s, speeds up maturation.

Average flavour profile of Spanish whisky in the catalogue (4 whiskies)

Sweet
2.5
Fresh fruit
2.0
Ripe and dried fruit
0.6
Floral and herbal
1.0
Cereal and malt
2.0
Vanilla and creamy
1.9
Oak
1.3
Spicy
1.0
Toasted
0.9
Smoky
0.0
Maritime
0.0
Body and intensity
1.6

Where to start

DYC 8 Year Old is a good way to get to know the country’s classic style, smooth and with vanilla. DYC Pure Malt shows its malt side, and Embrujo de Granada, an Andalusian single malt, represents the new wave of Spanish distilleries.

This text was generated and translated by AI and may contain errors.

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