If you’re a Scotch whisky drinker, I know you have at least a few bottles of blended Scotch whisky that you would never drink neat or on the rocks. Perhaps you were given a bottle, or you just bought one because of a flashy label, only to realize it was fairly unpalatable on its own, best mixed with soda or other ingredients. But, if you limit your whisky collection to blended Scotch whiskies that you’d never want to drink neat, you’re missing out on some outstanding expressions just waiting to be discovered.
I was once like this. When I first started writing about alcohol, I didn’t know much about Scotch whisky, and my only experience with blended Scotch was a less-than-stellar expression that came in an easy-to-grab plastic bottle. It wasn’t the type of whisky I was going to want to crack open when my friends or family members stopped by.
Over the years, I gained more insight into the world of Scotch and learned that, while there are bargain bottles of blended Scotch available at most liquor stores, so too are complex whiskies that I realized I enjoyed just as much as some single malt expressions.
What is blended Scotch whisky?
Before I get into the bottles of blended Scotch whisky you’ll want to add to your home bar for sipping neat, it’s important to get some context of the style itself. Blended Scotch whisky is so named because it’s a blend of single malt whiskies, single grain whiskies, or both. As you might have guessed, all the whiskies included must be produced in Scotland, and they often come from the same distillery or from distilleries owned by the same company.
Because it’s a blend, this style of scotch whisky is usually fairly light, mellow, and highly approachable. Many drinkers use this style as a gateway into the more complex category of single malt whisky. While the overall flavor profile can vary from whisky to whisky, the most common flavors include orchard fruits, toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, caramelized sugar, baking spices, and sometime floral and even smoky notes.
How I chose the blended Scotch whiskies
While there are many inexpensive options on the market, you don’t have to pay the equivalent of a month’s rent to get a great bottle of blended Scotch whisky. There are many nuanced, value bottles available. When I look for a blended Scotch as an everyday sipper, I look for an expression that’s equal parts value to quality. I’m also looking for a balanced, mellow, flavorful blend that I’ll want to return to again and again.
Blended Scotch whiskies you’ll want to drink neat
Now that you’ve learned about the appeal of sipping well-made, complex blended Scotch whiskies, the time has come to find some to add to your home bar cart. Below, you’ll find my favorite blended Scotch whiskies. All of which are so layered, nuanced, and memorable that you’ll want to sip them neat instead of hiding them in a cocktail. Keep scrolling to see them all.
The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish
There’s a reason the Famous Grouse is one of the most popular blended Scotch whisky brands in the UK. You can’t go wrong with any of its portfolio. But, if you want to try something really special, opt for The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish. If you add the words “sherry cask” to a bottle of Scotch whisky, chances are I’m going to want to try it, and this is a good one. It’s a blend of grain whiskies and single malt whiskies from Edrington-owned distilleries, including the Glenrothes and Highland Park. After blending, the whisky is finished in sherry-seasoned casks. The result is a sublimely complex whisky that begins with a nose of candied orange peels, dried cherries, cinnamon candy, dark chocolate, oak, and sherry sweetness. The palate is centered on notes of toasted vanilla beans, chocolate, candied nuts, and oak. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a combination of dried cherries, vanilla cream, and gentle baking spices. Give this blended whisky a try instead of that overpriced sherry finished single malt you’ve been eyeing at your local liquor store.
Compass Box Artist Blend
Compass Box has made quite a name for itself in the blended Scotch whisky world in the last few decades. While it has an acclaimed portfolio, one of our favorites is Compass Box Artist Blend. Formerly known as Great King Street Artist’s Blend, it’s a blend of ex-bourbon barrel-aged grain whiskey from Cameronbridge Distillery and single malt whiskies from Clynelish, Balmenach, and Linkwood, featuring various finishes. This creates a velvety-smooth, balanced whisky that opens with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, orchard fruits, caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and wintry spices. Sipping it reveals flavors like caramel apples, sticky toffee pudding, cinnamon sugar, ginger, and gentle oak. The finish is long, lingering, and ends with notes of butterscotch and baking spices. Drink it neat on a cool evening instead of your usual single malt whisky.
Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition
This blended Scotch whisky doesn’t mess around. It’s called Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition for a reason. Instead of the usual 80-proof you’re likely to find with most blended Scotch whiskies, this bad boy clocks in at a Prohibition-era 100-proof. The whisky is a blend of grain and Speyside single malt whiskies aged in sherry oak casks. It creates a bold, memorable whisky that begins with scents of toasted vanilla beans, sticky toffee, candied orange peels, honey, and oak. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including cracked black pepper, butterscotch, candied citrus, honey, dried fruits, and gentle spices. The finish is warm and long, ending with a mix of caramel sweetness and just a hint of peppery spice. This is the type of blended Scotch whisky you’ll want to drink on a chilly evening, neat with a splash of water to open it up.
Dewar’s Aged 15 Years
Dewar’s is a big name in the blended whisky marketplace. While you can go really inexpensive with his brand, if you really want to enjoy a sippable whisky, you’ll opt for Dewar’s Aged 15 Years. This blend consists of single malt whiskies (mostly from Aberfeldy) and grain whiskies. After blending, the whisky is matured in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in oak barrels. This creates a remarkably mellow whisky that begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, clover honey, candied orange peels, floral notes, orchard fruits, and caramel. The palate is a mix of flavors, including caramelized pineapple, sticky toffee pudding, treacle, candied nuts, and baking spices. The finish is balanced and warm, ending with a mix of butterscotch and cracked black pepper. Sip this one neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a summery highball.
