🥃 Black & White
Scotch blended whisky by James Buchanan, known for its two terriers; the name was established in 1902; owned by Diageo; popular in India and Africa.
Black & White is a Scotch blended whisky created by James Buchanan. It was first called Buchanan Blend, then House of Commons, and the name Black & White was established in 1902. The label shows a black Scottish terrier and a white West Highland terrier. Today the brand belongs to Diageo and is popular in India and South Africa.
History. According to Whiskypedia, Buchanan was born in Canada in 1849 and founded his own company in 1884. He created the blend together with his friend W. P. Lowrie; early components included Dalwhinnie, Clynelish and Glendullan. A London bar for members of the House of Commons took the blend, which gave the early name House of Commons. In 1915 Buchanan and Dewar merged, in 1925 they joined DCL, and Diageo became the owner in 1997. The story about dogs at a show is told as a legend: terriers appeared in the brand's design from the 1920s, and on the label only in 2013.
How it's made. Whiskypedia describes the whisky as light and grainy, with a clean citrus note. Dalwhinnie became the main component and the brand's spiritual home. The casks are oak; their type is not specified in the source.
Markets. According to Whiskypedia, the brand is popular in India, South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and has long not been sold in Great Britain; in 2015 it sold about 1.4 million cases.
Why it matters to you. This is a blend, not a single malt. The black-and-white design is a historic brand identity, not a type of whisky. Read the strength. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1884 (Buchanan's company); the name Black & White from 1902 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Blended Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | single malts (Dalwhinnie, Clynelish, Glendullan) and grain whiskies |
| Cask type | oak casks; exact composition not specified in the sources |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; no age statement |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Black & White → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Chivas Regal, 🥃 Buchanan's
Frequently asked questions
Is it true the name Black & White is about dogs?
The dogs are the brand's image: according to Whiskypedia, Buchanan supposedly chose a black Scottish terrier and a white West Highland terrier after a dog show. They have appeared in the brand's design since the 1920s, and on the label only since 2013.
When did the name become established?
In 1902; earlier it was Buchanan Blend and House of Commons.
Who owns Black & White?
Diageo, since 1997; earlier United Distillers and DCL.
Which whiskies were in the first blend?
According to Whiskypedia, Dalwhinnie, Clynelish and Glendullan.
Where is it most popular?
In India, South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; it has long not been sold in Great Britain.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Scotch from a single distillery: only malted barley, water and copper pot stills; at least 3 years in oak, 40% vol. or more.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
Similar
🥃 Vat 69 · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Loch Lomond Distillery · 🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Royal Lochnagar · 🥃 Dailuaine
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Black & White (Buchanan 1884, House of Commons blend, 1902 name, terriers, DCL 1925, Diageo, markets)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 2 (whisky/whiskey)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)