Blended Scotch Whisky

Here is everything you need to know about blended Scotches and the top brands you can find here.

What is a Blended Scotch Whisky?

As the name suggests, a blended Scotch whisky combines single malt (made from 100% malted barley) and grain whiskies (made from a blend of different grains besides barley). The specific mixture is normally 15% – 40% single malt scotch and 60% – 85% single grain whisky. Typically, up to 30 single malts are used in a single blend, while only one single-grain whisky is usually used.

What are the flavour profiles of Blended Scotch Whisky?

Blended Scotch whiskies typically have a smooth mouthfeel with balanced flavours. Like any other whisky, different brands and labels of blended Scotch will have different flavour profiles depending on the ingredients used or the ageing process.

What is the difference between Blended Scotch Whisky vs. Single Malt?

How do we distinguish between a single malt and a blended Scotch whisky? Here are some of the differences between the two:

Is Blended Scotch lighter than single malt Scotch?

Yes. Blended Scotch has a much lighter character than a single malt because it uses lighter, column-distilled grain whiskies.

Which is more expensive, single malt or blended?

Single malts are generally pricier than blended Scotches. The higher prices can be due to factors like production costs, age statements, and rarity.

Why is Blended Scotch better?

While commonly viewed as inferior to single malts, blended Scotch whiskies have characteristics that make them as good as or better than premium labels. Their balanced flavour profiles give them a wider appeal, enjoyed by newbies and enthusiasts alike. Additionally, their cheaper prices and greater accessibility ensure that everyone can enjoy a good blended Scotch.

Is Blended Scotch Whisky suitable for cocktails?

Yes, blended Scotch whiskies are great for cocktails. The mixture of grain whiskies stretches and mellows out the intensity of the single malts, producing a more balanced Scotch that will not overwhelm your mixer of choice.

What are the Blended Scotch brands available?

Roughly nine out of ten Scotch whiskies enjoyed around the world are blends. Here are just some of the blended Scotch whisky brands available in Malaysia:

• Johnnie Walker: One of the most recognisable whisky brands in the world, Johnnie Walker is a true icon of quality and tradition.
• Dewar’s: Winning more than 1000 awards, Dewar’s ranks as one of the top Scotch brands in America and is fast becoming another popular brand worldwide.
• Grant’s: Scotland’s oldest continuously family-run, blended whisky maker, Grant’s has shared its special blend with the world for over six generations.
• Old Perth: Rich in flavour, remarkable by nature. Old Perth combines the smoothest sherry-matured malt whiskies from the finest Speyside distilleries to create a truly unique blended Scotch.
• Teacher’s: This award-winning blended Scotch whisky with a 175-year history.
• Chivas Regal: Produced by the Chivas Brothers, a part of Pernod Ricard, Chivas Regal is the leading scotch whiskey for those aged 12 years and older in Europe and Asia.
• Ballantine’s: This brand’s blended Scotch is made from more than 50 single malts, particularly single malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie, as well as four single-grain whiskies. This creates the ultimate blended whisky of the utmost quality that can be enjoyed by everyone.
• Whyte & Mackay: The Whyte & Mackay brand uses 41 different whiskies to create a lighter and smoother blend suitable for all palates.

Best Blended Scotch Whisky

Here are some of the best blended Scotch whisky labels that you can enjoy:

• Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve: From quality product from start to finish. The Gold Label is carefully blended from classic malt whiskey and creamy Lowland grain whiskies to create the most finely balanced of luxury blends, complete with smokiness and rich and fruity notes.
• Chivas Regal: One of the best-selling Scotches in the world, Chivas Regal is aged in multiple casks and has a unique signature taste, resulting in a consistently smooth whisky experience.
• Dewar’s White Label: A hugely popular label in America, Dewar’s White Label has won more than 400 awards and medals in over 20 countries.
• Grant’s Triple Wood Blended Scotch Whisky: An approachable blended Scotch whisky from the world-famous brand, drawn from three types of cask – specifically refill American oak casks, first-fill ex-bourbon casks, and virgin American oak casks.

Are there any rare or limited-edition Blended Scotch whiskies?

Yes, many brands release limited-edition blends to promote unique flavours and celebrate special occasions or just to experiment with new distilling or ageing techniques. These whiskies are often aged in rare or older casks, imparting distinctive, one-of-a-kind flavours to their taste profiles. Here are some examples:

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Series: Made with whiskies from “ghost” distilleries that have shut down, resulting in a selection of unique and rare blends. They are:

• Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost Rare Brora Rare: This is the very first bottle in the Rare and Ghost lineup. It is a rich, velvety, smooth blend of eight treasured Scotch Whiskies, including three “ghost” whiskies from the silent distilleries of Cambus, Pittyvaich, and the Highland Single Malt, Brora.
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen: The second in the Ghost and Rare series, this blend contains a highly sought-after Islay single malt crafted in Port Ellen – a ‘ghost’ distillery that shut its doors in 1983.
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label Rare Glenury Royal: The Blue Label Ghost Rare Glenury Royal is the third in a series of special releases crafted using incredibly rare whiskies from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves. At the heart of this limited-edition whisky lies the Highland single malt, Glenury Royal – a ‘ghost’ distillery that shut its doors in 1985 after a long and colourful history.
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost And Rare Pittyvaich: The fourth release in the series, this edition uses whisky from the Speyside distillery of Pittyvaich (which remained active for only 18 years before closing its doors in 1993).
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas: This is the fifth edition in the series. This particular bottle contains three different ghost whiskies from Port Dundas, Cambus, and Brora, along with five other rare whiskies, ensuring exceptional quality.

Here are some other rare and limited edition blends:

• Chivas Regal The Icon: A luxurious blend made by some of the oldest and rarest whiskies in the Chivas collection.
• Compass Box No Name Series: This limited release uses a unique twist on traditional blending to produce bold, smoky flavours.
• Dewar’s Double Double 32-Year-Old: This small-batch blend uses a homemade ‘quadruple ageing’ or ‘double-double’ ageing process to create a rich and layered flavour.
• Ballantine’s 30-Year-Old: This magnificent premium blend gets its smooth, complex taste from three decades of ageing.

These limited-edition blends are especially popular with collectors and enthusiasts because they’re unique, carefully crafted, and hard to find.

Food pairings

Here are some food pairings you can try with your blended Scotch:

• Chocolate: Milk chocolate with fruit or nuts pairs well with a sweet blended Scotch like Ballantine’s.
• Nuts: Roasted nuts like peanuts, cashews, and walnuts perfectly complement smoky blends like Old Perth Peaty Blended Malt.
• Fish and seafood: Freshwater fish like bass or rainbow trout work better with a sweet, smooth blend. Oysters are an excellent choice for smoky blends.
• Steak: A well-grilled and juicy New York strip or ribeye pairs nicely with a sweet yet full-bodied blend.

How do you drink or serve Blended Scotch?

Here are some ways you can drink or serve your blended Scotch:

• Neat: If you’re a newcomer, the easiest way to drink blended Scotch is to pour it straight from the bottle, taking gentle sips to appreciate all the subtle flavours fully.
• On the rocks: Serving Scotch with ice can help dilute the whisky, making it more approachable while still retaining its flavours. The added coldness can also enhance certain flavours, providing a refreshing twist.
• With a splash of water: Adding a few drops of water to your blended Scotch whisky can open up its flavours and aromas, making them more pronounced.
• In cocktails: Blended Scotch is a great ingredient in cocktails as its balanced flavour profile ensures that it will not overpower the other mixers.

Blended Scotch: A world of flavour for every whisky lover

Blended Scotch whisky combines the best qualities of single malt and grain whiskies to create a lighter and smoother taste profile that is widely appreciated by the world over by both newcomers and enthusiasts alike. It is a truly versatile beverage that can be enjoyed straight from the bottle or mixed into creative cocktails.

Check out our selection for the most affordable Blended Scotch whisky price in Malaysia.

For more information, read our Guide to Scotch Whisky: What is it?