Forbes released an
article telling us the detailed background on
the history of blended Scotch and what to look for in the crowd this year. Master blenders recognize the right
components to harmoniously marry single malts to grain whiskies which give us blended Scotch whiskies. An
Edinburgh merchant was probably the first to do so in 1853 when he mixed the malt whisky from The Glenlivet with other
whiskies to be labeled as Old Vatted Glenlivet, O.V.G. The merge proved to be less aggressive and soothing then
the challenging drink of single malts. This and other blends corroborated that two styles of Scotch whisky was more
attractive to the general consumer than when sold separately. Even though some of us snobs might refuse to consider
Scotch blends, I suggest you give a try from the short list of current respected blends. When a single malt is not
around, from the list, I personally enjoy Chivas Royal Salute 21 Year and the 12 Year, Johnnie Walker Gold 18 Year, and
Dewar’s Special Reserve 12 Year. What are your favorite blended Scotch whiskies?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jmchez Feb 23rd 2006 1:06AM
To any single malt snob out there. Try sampling some Johnny Walker Blue Label ($200/bottle). I'm sure that'll shut you up for a while.
Trey Evans Feb 23rd 2006 1:21AM
I'm a rabid single malt drinker, and I'll admit that Blue label is good, but for the price, I'd rather have special edition of The MacAllan. As far as a drinkable blend at a reasonable price, you can't beat Swing. It's bottled by Johnnie Walker, but isn't available in the States. I pick up a bottle every summer I'm in the Caribbean, where you can also nab a Blue Label for $95.
Rob Amberg Feb 23rd 2006 4:09AM
Re; Johnny Walker Blue Label - Lusso Magazine (to whom I subscribe) are going to their castle for the next edition, meeting the master blender, etc - very cool!
TLR Feb 23rd 2006 5:10AM
I have had blue and it is a bit overpriced but tasty. Green Label is my favorite Johnny Walker of all. rare in the US but not outside our borders.
Kevin Erskine Feb 24th 2006 8:24PM
Funny that someone would point to a $200 blend as something that would "shut up a single malt snob"
Unless you are referring to a snob as someone who buys on price and not taste.
Blue is good. But not $200 good.
The Chivas Royal Salute (shown) is a little cheaper and much better.
But I can show you dozens of single malts which put both of those blends to shame for $140 cheaper.
I also pretty much guarantee that in a blind tasting you couldn't choose between the $200 JW Blue and the $70 JW Gold.
Kevin Erskine
The scotch Blog
www.thescotchblog.com