Blended Scotch recommendations

PhilWilkins

PhilWilkins

Location
UK
I have not touched whisky/whiskey since last December (2024) for no particular reason other than maybe my current gin obsession. Back then my last bottles consumed were a Dewar’s 12 Year Old blend (discounted to a tenner) and some Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack (half price at about £16). I have always liked Gentleman Jack (though never their No.7, for some reason, given it is pretty much the same stuff) but it was the Dewar’s 12 that really caught me. I was expecting something thin or mean but it was not at all, with a surprising richness. I was rather taken by it and have not forgotten it since, which brings me to my question.

I have a long list of single malts I like but in this case I am only asking about blends. Do you have any blended favourites or do you feel they all fall short when compared with a NAS or 10/12 year old single malt? I suppose I had always expected a single malt to be superior to a blended 12 year old, for example, but maybe that is not always the case.
 
Maclean's Nose is a good blended one I genuinely enjoyed. IIRC it's largely Ardnamurchan and smells and tastes like it is mostly malt so if you want more influence from other grains, this won't be your thing. But it is very good. Nikka From the Barrel is another Japanese blend that is very tasty.
 
Cracked open my bottle of Nikka From the Barrel tonight (delivered today). My first ever Japanese whisky and a forum recommendation and I can see why it’s so well regarded. It’s a bit wild, a bit fiery but so beautifully balanced with layers of rich oak, spice and dark fruit that keep unfolding as you sip. There’s no way I’d called it a blend! The 51.4% ABV definitely caught me off guard at first but it’s so well integrated that it adds depth rather than heat. Hugely characterful stuff- complex, rewarding and far too easy to pour another dram of (although I didn’t!). 51.4%
 
Nikka from the Barrel is indeed amazing stuff. It's a regular reminder to me that other grain whiskies can be brilliant. But do try Maclean's Nose too if it's specifically Scotch blends you're after. And do try single pot still Irish whiskey if you haven't already for a mix of malted and unmalted barley. That's a delightful bisquity aroma of whisky that's different from blends and single malts. Such a fun world of flavours whiskey is. <3
 
Just got a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label. Ok, but better after I drew off a dram and added in some Ardbeg 10. Now properly smoky.

I’m told McLean’s Nose from Ardnamurchan distillery is worth trying - a blended scotch with 70% malt in it. On my list for next month.
 
I spotted a bottle of Canadian Club Whisky reduced by a third, so in a spur of the moment decision I picked one up. I’d never actually tried it before but always see it lined up on retailers’ shelves, and with it down to £14 (and WhistlePig on my mind), I thought why not. It’s drinkable but pretty plain, light bodied, a touch sweet and lacking much depth or warmth. There’s some vanilla and a hint of spice, but the finish is short and slightly grainy. Not unpleasant, just forgettable. Fine for mixing, but my recommendation is to avoid. Oddly, something this basic can rack up five-star scores on Waitrose Cellar, probably thanks to the Gordon’s Gin Fans Department.

Amateur reviews (like mine) can be a tricky business. Sure, there are the enthusiasts who collect and cellar ageable wine, and then there’s the ‘I know what I like’ brigade who like to spend less than a fiver. Nothing wrong with either, but there’s got to be a line between the two, and I reckon it often comes down to price. Generally, the more you spend, the more likely people are to pay closer attention and evaluate beyond simple personal preference, though there are always exceptions.

So if I had paid full price for my bottle of Canadian Club Whisky, around twenty five pounds, I might have taken it a bit more seriously. I would probably have spent more time on the nose, palate and finish and noticed subtleties that I overlooked at the discounted price. On the other hand, paying more might also have made me less forgiving if it didn’t live up to expectations. At fourteen pounds it was easy to enjoy it casually and call it fine but forgettable. Interesting thought on value tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top