... BLENDED
... as modernly traditional as it gets.
Lots of variations, and some quality old options,
generally reliable and consistent.
The only blender to 'Ale Cask' mature
a whisky, mmmmm !
78-85/100
Monday 23 February 2009
WHITE HORSE
TEACHERS HIGHLAND CREAM
SCOTTISH LEADER
MONKEY SHOULDER
LOCH FYNE
JOHNNIE WALKER
... BLENDED AND MALTBLEND
red (good)
black (excellent)
green (the maltblend one)
gold (sweet/old)
blue (over-rated)
... the worlds biggest selling whisky Brand
(it's what Diageo do best!)
Good stuff in the Black and Green Label
bottlings showing the providential union of
Caol Ila and Talisker single malts, along with
excellent support from Cragganmore, Glen Elgin and Dalwhinnie e.t.c.
Reliable due to good blending consistency.
82-88/100
red (good)
black (excellent)
green (the maltblend one)
gold (sweet/old)
blue (over-rated)
... the worlds biggest selling whisky Brand
(it's what Diageo do best!)
Good stuff in the Black and Green Label
bottlings showing the providential union of
Caol Ila and Talisker single malts, along with
excellent support from Cragganmore, Glen Elgin and Dalwhinnie e.t.c.
Reliable due to good blending consistency.
82-88/100
J & B
ISLE OF SKYE
ISLAY MIST
INVERARITY
FAMOUS GROUSE
.. BLENDED AND MALTBLEND
... that's Gilbert the grouse holding the bottle
... isn't he just so cute and funny too.
You can get ; -
standard grouse
Malt grouse
Islay grouse
Scottish oak grouse
Black grouse
Snow grouse
Vintage grouse
and probably soon, Roast grouse (boil-in-the-bag version)
... for that perfect hot toddy.
I don't drink Grouse myself, .... actually.
80/100
... that's Gilbert the grouse holding the bottle
... isn't he just so cute and funny too.
You can get ; -
standard grouse
Malt grouse
Islay grouse
Scottish oak grouse
Black grouse
Snow grouse
Vintage grouse
and probably soon, Roast grouse (boil-in-the-bag version)
... for that perfect hot toddy.
I don't drink Grouse myself, .... actually.
80/100
DIMPLE
DEWARS
CUTTY SARK
... BLENDED.
.. a blend of lighter proportions, vanilla, floral, grassy, grainy,
the standard bottle is a good session dram,
whilst older versions are really quite exciting.
Avast there 'ye land-lubbers !!!
'tis a south-westerly that blows the shrouds !
I once had an emotional experience with this Blend in Panama.
82-88/100
COMPASS BOX
... BLENDED & MALTBLENDS
... an intriguing, artisan, boutique whisky blenders who invented this genre for themselves.
Bottlings are subject to regularly good standards, with much innovation and experimentation in evidence, some of which the Industry McMandarins do not approve. (i.e. Spice Tree)
The presentation is exceptional, and range exciting, quality consistent, and this little Brand will become very 'collectible' in time.
I recently tasted the Asyla Blend, and it was superb ! 90/100
..... can be pricey, but worth the educational investment.
86-91/100
... an intriguing, artisan, boutique whisky blenders who invented this genre for themselves.
Bottlings are subject to regularly good standards, with much innovation and experimentation in evidence, some of which the Industry McMandarins do not approve. (i.e. Spice Tree)
The presentation is exceptional, and range exciting, quality consistent, and this little Brand will become very 'collectible' in time.
I recently tasted the Asyla Blend, and it was superb ! 90/100
..... can be pricey, but worth the educational investment.
86-91/100
CHIVAS REGAL (inc: ROYAL SALUTE)
... BLENDED
... 12, 18, 21, and older !!! (50 y.o.)
a mainstream blend with exotic presentation which carries it along.
The 21 y.o. version is well crafted, and occasionally appears as ceramic flagons, .... lovely.
The Revolve bottle revolves round and round, wheeeee !
and the Chivas Century-of-Malts Brand contains whiskies from 100 Distilleries and is a MALTBLEND.
Fantastic..............
81-86/100
... 12, 18, 21, and older !!! (50 y.o.)
a mainstream blend with exotic presentation which carries it along.
The 21 y.o. version is well crafted, and occasionally appears as ceramic flagons, .... lovely.
The Revolve bottle revolves round and round, wheeeee !
and the Chivas Century-of-Malts Brand contains whiskies from 100 Distilleries and is a MALTBLEND.
Fantastic..............
81-86/100
CAMPBELTOWN LOCH
... BLENDED
... "oh! Campbeltown loch I wish y'were whisky
Campbeltown loch, och! Aye!
oh! Campbeltown loch I wish y'were whisky
I wud drink y' dry."
Campbeltown loch, och! Aye!
oh! Campbeltown loch I wish y'were whisky
I wud drink y' dry."
... and so the old song goes,
and younger versions are passable, but it is the older versions including the 21, 25 and 30 y.o.'s which are establishing a reputation as cult (and collectable) blends being comprised mainly of rather good Springbank Malts and also rather good grain component too, concluding in a memorable Blend which puts some other Malts to shame.
91/100
and younger versions are passable, but it is the older versions including the 21, 25 and 30 y.o.'s which are establishing a reputation as cult (and collectable) blends being comprised mainly of rather good Springbank Malts and also rather good grain component too, concluding in a memorable Blend which puts some other Malts to shame.
91/100
BLACK BOTTLE
... BLENDED
... this is the blend that tastes like an Islay Malt.
Consistently good stuff in all it's versions of ordinary, 10 y.o. and 15 y.o. although I do think the 15 y.o. a trifle expensive at over £50 a bottle.
Great for blind tastings with those who think they know about whisky.
A very well 'engineered' whisky.
85/100
BLACK AND WHITE
BLUE HANGER
... MALTBLEND
... Flag-ship Brand of Berry Bros: & Rudd, the choice vintners of London toffs!
This is a careful and sympathetic mix of varied-age malts bottled in age-stated, 'release' numbered batches.
Generally good stuff, I did however notice a dominance of Glen Grant in a recent version,
not that this was a particular problem, with affordable prices for a worth while return.
And it does win prizes,
yipee!
87/100
BELLS
BALLANTINE'S
... BLENDED
... consistently good Brand in a traditional style with range going from 12 y.o. to 30 y.o. plus some vintage offerings including 'Finest'.
For me the highlight is the 17 y.o. which is a masterclass in integrating an Islay peat arrival into a rounded spey-side finish, and then some-more.
Altogether recommended.
This is sipping whisky.
82-90/100
... consistently good Brand in a traditional style with range going from 12 y.o. to 30 y.o. plus some vintage offerings including 'Finest'.
For me the highlight is the 17 y.o. which is a masterclass in integrating an Islay peat arrival into a rounded spey-side finish, and then some-more.
Altogether recommended.
This is sipping whisky.
82-90/100
BAILLIE NICOL JARVIE (B.N.J.)
ANTIQUARY
... BLENDED
... a reputable whisky found at 12 and 21, and 30 y.o.
This hovers between a standard and de-lux Blend, laying uneasily in between.
..... too expensive as a normal whisky, not 'exclusive' enough as a luxury whisky.
often over-looked ............ but generally a good, consistent option,
........ and older versions well regarded by blend-afficonados !!!
87/100
Thursday 12 February 2009
.............. this section is a presentation and review of some better quality Blended Scotch Whisky.
I couldn't possibly list all the Blended's as there would be over 400 ! but this little list will be enhanced by the addition of Blended Malts as well as Blended Scotch.
To save obvious confusion, I will refer to Blended Malts as Maltblend.
As for the confusion,
blame the McMandarins.
BLENDED WHISKY ..........combination of one or more pot-still single malted barley spirit with continuous-still single or multi grain spirit in variable proportions. Matured in oak barrels for minimum of three years.
BLENDED MALT WHISKY (MALTBLEND) ................ combination of two or more malted barley spirits, usually from Pot Stills, and matured in oak barrels for minimum of three years.
NOTE - you will often see a Maltblend be refered to as 'Pure' or 'vatted' Malts.
I couldn't possibly list all the Blended's as there would be over 400 ! but this little list will be enhanced by the addition of Blended Malts as well as Blended Scotch.
To save obvious confusion, I will refer to Blended Malts as Maltblend.
As for the confusion,
blame the McMandarins.
BLENDED WHISKY ..........combination of one or more pot-still single malted barley spirit with continuous-still single or multi grain spirit in variable proportions. Matured in oak barrels for minimum of three years.
BLENDED MALT WHISKY (MALTBLEND) ................ combination of two or more malted barley spirits, usually from Pot Stills, and matured in oak barrels for minimum of three years.
NOTE - you will often see a Maltblend be refered to as 'Pure' or 'vatted' Malts.
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