Blended Whisky ?
Discussion
Having done a tour of various Bourbons for the last year or two, I fancied a change and immediately gravitated to the Single Malts, but I thought I should give the blended variety a go for a change as it is much maligned, I have a low opinion of them due to making "Whisky Shandies" in 1990 or thereabouts, half a pint of Bells with half a pint of Lemonade.
However, I got given a bottle of Grants from my grandads booze cabinet when he died and really rather enjoyed it, so I bought a bottle of Bushmills at Sainsburys and had a bit last night, its quite enjoyable, much nicer than Bells to be fair and you dont feel guity mixing it.
I get over reverent with Malts, its all a bit ceremonial, but there is some enjoyment to be derived from a blended variety, sort of has an old school charm, whack some dry ginger in and its Christmas 1980 !
Anyone else given them a go lately ?
However, I got given a bottle of Grants from my grandads booze cabinet when he died and really rather enjoyed it, so I bought a bottle of Bushmills at Sainsburys and had a bit last night, its quite enjoyable, much nicer than Bells to be fair and you dont feel guity mixing it.
I get over reverent with Malts, its all a bit ceremonial, but there is some enjoyment to be derived from a blended variety, sort of has an old school charm, whack some dry ginger in and its Christmas 1980 !
Anyone else given them a go lately ?
Two enjoyable blends are Monkey Shoulder - pretty much available in most supermarkets at a guess, and an old favourite of mine Black Bottle - much harder to find in the shops though for some reason.
Click for bigger pic
Click for bigger pic
Edited by S6PNJ on Saturday 6th October 19:45
Most blends are mostly a (non-malted) grain whisky, 50-80% depending on brand.
If you're just mixing with lemonade or ginger, there's no real point in going for a malt, the taste will be overwhelmed by the mixer.
So your Teachers/Bells/whatever is fair enough, just buy whatever you like for taste/cost.
Famous Grouse, and a few others, are blends of malt whisky, but rather than having the distinctive taste os a single malt are blended to produce a standard taste - but more expensive than grain whisky. And definitely not worth swamping with ginger or coke.
If you're just mixing with lemonade or ginger, there's no real point in going for a malt, the taste will be overwhelmed by the mixer.
So your Teachers/Bells/whatever is fair enough, just buy whatever you like for taste/cost.
Famous Grouse, and a few others, are blends of malt whisky, but rather than having the distinctive taste os a single malt are blended to produce a standard taste - but more expensive than grain whisky. And definitely not worth swamping with ginger or coke.
Teddy Lop said:
Aldi flog a single grain called castle & crag that I use for mixing with gingers, it's far better than anything costing £11 a bottle has any right to be.
You should try their £17 Glen Marnoch single malts. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-...I do like it. In the same way that I like Volvo. Ahem.
Size Nine Elm said:
Most blends are mostly a (non-malted) grain whisky, 50-80% depending on brand.
I think safe to say that all blends are mostly the cheap stuff.Size Nine Elm said:
So your Teachers/Bells/whatever is fair enough, just buy whatever you like for taste/cost.
Famous Grouse, and a few others, are blends of malt whisky, but rather than having the distinctive taste os a single malt are blended to produce a standard taste - but more expensive than grain whisky. And definitely not worth swamping with ginger or coke.
Standard Famous Grouse is a blend, utter gutrot and no better than Bell's et al!Famous Grouse, and a few others, are blends of malt whisky, but rather than having the distinctive taste os a single malt are blended to produce a standard taste - but more expensive than grain whisky. And definitely not worth swamping with ginger or coke.
Jameson's is my nightcap of choice, but is getting a bit salty price-wise these days. My independant offie does it for £22.00 a pop, and the local Co-Op is £24.00 so I've recently done some searching for alternatives. Had to be Irish, not anything like Bell's or Grouse etc. 
Lidl do "Dundalgan" blended Irish (I'm sipping some typing this), and it's almost indistinguishable from Jameson's for £14.99 a go!
Lidl do "Dundalgan" blended Irish (I'm sipping some typing this), and it's almost indistinguishable from Jameson's for £14.99 a go!
Jambo85 said:
Size Nine Elm said:
Most blends are mostly a (non-malted) grain whisky, 50-80% depending on brand.
I think safe to say that all blends are mostly the cheap stuff.
The Japanese award winning whiskies are blends and are really good.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/hibiki/hibik...
And the younger versions. I have the 12 yr old which is now unaffordable and it's just great.
Try Japanese blends..
Edited by The_Doc on Sunday 7th October 14:39
The_Doc said:
Not true. Well depends on what you mean by most,
The Japanese award winning whiskies are blends and are really good.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/hibiki/hibik...
And the younger versions. I have the 12 yr old which is now unaffordable and it's just great.
Try Japanese blends..
Out of my price range I'm afraid and I have not been impressed by Japanese whiskey so far. I have a bottle Yamazaki 12 YO single malt and it tastes more like Bourbon to me, not my bag.The Japanese award winning whiskies are blends and are really good.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/hibiki/hibik...
And the younger versions. I have the 12 yr old which is now unaffordable and it's just great.
Try Japanese blends..
Edited by The_Doc on Sunday 7th October 14:39
Interesting nevertheless - is that a blended malt or a blend? Can't make out the label and conscious that the Japanese may use different terminology...
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