As reported final week on The Whiskey Wash, the World Whiskies Awards Scotland outcomes have lately been introduced. The profitable whiskies from the Scotland heats will compete on a worldwide stage this March towards the class winners from different regional competitions in France, Eire, Canada, Japan, the usA., and the Remainder of the World. In the present day, we’re diving into extra award-winning scotch whiskies. This week’s focus: blended scotch whisky.
These distinctive blended scotch whiskies have been topped class winners, with subcategories primarily based on their age statements. Starting from NAS to 21-years-old, every mix affords one thing for the discerning scotch drinker. Let’s get into it.
What Is Blended Scotch Whisky?
These are a number of kinds of blended whisky, with ‘blended scotch whisky’ having a really particular definition. Based on the Scotch Whisky Affiliation, blended scotch whisky is: “A mix of a number of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with a number of Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.”
This differs from different classes of blended scotch whisky:
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky: A mix of two or extra Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from completely different distilleries.
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: A mix of two or extra Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from completely different distilleries, with no grain whisky included.
Basically, blended scotch whisky should embody each malt and grain spirits, whereas the opposite sorts contain just one class of whisky (malt or grain) however sourced from a number of distilleries.
The Borders Distillery WS:02 The Lengthy and In need of It
Class: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: No Age Assertion
Tasting Notes: Gooseberry pores and skin, citrus zest, inexperienced apple, fig pudding, butterscotch, sultanas
BUY NOW: $45
The Borders Distillery, positioned within the southeast of Scotland, experimented with fermentation on this blended whisky launch. That is the second launch within the model’s Workshop Sequence, by which distillers play with the normal boundaries of whisky-making to provide distinctive expressions.
The method of fermentation is one that’s usually neglected in whisky making. Fermentation occasions can have an effect on the ultimate profile of a whisky, with quick fermentation leading to a sharper, cleaner spirit with malt notes and a lightweight mouthfeel. Longer fermentations can produce fruit and floral notes, further depth, and a easy but full-bodied mouthfeel.
To create WS:02, the distillers fermented one batch of mash for 55 hours (the wanting it) and one batch for 150 hours (the lengthy of it). These batches have been then distilled twice and matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. Then, the whisky was blended with single grain whisky, chill-filtered, and bottled at 40% ABV.
Solely 8,400 bottles of The Lengthy and In need of It have been produced.
Scottish Chief Unique Blended Scotch Whisky
Class: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years & Underneath
Tasting Notes: Honey, citrus, freshly chopped oak, sweetly spiced smoke, floor black peppercorns
BUY NOW: $24
Scottish Chief is a longstanding blended scotch whisky. The unique recipe dates again to nineteenth century Dumbarton, Scotland. Nevertheless, the model was not created till 1976. It has grow to be a well-established traditional in international locations all over the world. In 2014, Scottish Chief underwent a rebrand underneath South African firm Distell, with the Unique expression now introduced in a sq. bottle with a hanging crimson label. The outdated deer brand was additionally changed with a hovering eagle.
Regardless of these fashionable updates, Scottish Chief Unique stays a preferred and reliable blended scotch whisky, complemented within the core vary by expressions reminiscent of Supreme, Sherry Cask End, Signature, and a 12 12 months Outdated.
White Heather 15 12 months Outdated
Class: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 13-20 Years Outdated
Tasting Notes: Heather honey, butterscotch, orange peel, pineapple, mint, a touch of peat, treacle, grapefruit, almonds, mocha, ginger
BUY NOW: $69
White Heather whisky is the brainchild of a scotch whisky business veteran blender: Billy Walker. Walker has had an illustrious profession, working at distilleries reminiscent of Tobermory, Bunnahabhain, and Glenglassaugh. He’s additionally revered for reviving BenRiach and Glenallachie.
Notably, Billy Walker additionally revived the White Heather model. After having fun with a dram of White Heather within the Nineteen Seventies, Walker “was zealous in his pursuit of a mix that offers a nod to the nostalgic whisky he as soon as loved while elevating the age and high quality for the trendy whisky drinker.”
White Heather 15 12 months Outdated is a fruits of Walker’s expertise, mixing single malt whiskies from Speyside, Islay, and the Highlands (47%) with specifically chosen single grain parts (53%). The whisky was blended in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. As soon as blended, it underwent a secondary maturation in Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso and American virgin oak casks.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the ensuing whisky is full-bodied and completely balanced, with notes of heather honey that emulate the model title.
White Heather is known as for a flowering plant that’s discovered within the rural corners of Scotland. Pink and purple heather are frequent. Nevertheless, discovering white heather is a rarity. Based on Scottish folklore, those that discover white heather can be blessed with success.
Dewar’s Double Double 21 12 months Outdated
Class: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 21 Years & Older
Tasting Notes: Raisins, cinnamon, dried orange peel, cloves, candied sweetness, cinnamon, vine fruits
BUY NOW: $80
Dewar’s is not any stranger to awards, having collected a terrific deal resulting from its versatile and completely sippable vary. The corporate, for which Stephanie Macleod is Grasp Blender, attributes this to Macleod’s pioneering ‘double growing old’ course of. Or, on this case, ‘double double’ growing old.
First, the malt whiskies are aged to their required maturity, then mixed and returned to an oak cask. The identical course of is adopted for the grain whiskies within the mix. As soon as each sorts have been ready, they’re blended collectively and returned to an oak cask for a secondary double maturation. Lastly, the mix undergoes ending in an ex-sherry cask. This explicit 21 12 months Outdated was completed in Oloroso sherry casks.
The expression beforehand received ‘World’s Greatest Blended’ on the 2021 World Whiskies Awards finals.
The World Whiskies Awards 2025
The winners of the World Whiskies Awards Scotland will progress to compete towards high entries from France, Eire, Canada, Japan, the usA., and the Remainder of the World. The final word champions, topped because the 2025 World’s Greatest Whiskies, can be introduced in March. These regional heats present a platform for manufacturers worldwide to showcase their spirits via rigorous tasting and judging.
As all the time, we’ll hold you up to date on the most recent outcomes and standout whiskies on our Greatest Whiskies web page.
