🥃 Blended Scotch Whisky

Blended Scotch Whisky is a blend of one or more single malt Scotch whiskies with one or more single grain Scotch whiskies. That is the definition in the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009. Each component is a full Scotch: distilled in Scotland and matured there for at least three years in oak casks of up to 700 litres, and the finished drink has at least 40% vol.

It is the most common kind of Scotch: according to the Scotch Whisky geographical indication technical file, the greatest proportion of Scotch is drunk as Blended Scotch Whisky. A single blend may combine fifty or more malt and grain whiskies of different ages from different distilleries. Grain whisky is usually lighter in aroma and malt whisky richer, and their balance sets the style of a brand.

The recipe is created by a Chief Blender and kept secret. Every cask is different, so the same quantities cannot simply be reused each time: the blender judges the whiskies mainly by nose. To keep each new batch the same colour as earlier ones, a very small amount of plain caramel colouring E150a may be added before bottling; it is a colouring, not a flavouring or a sweetener.

The front of the bottle must carry the category name “Blended Scotch Whisky”, with no words inserted into it. Unlike single malt, blended Scotch may be shipped in bulk in inert containers and bottled abroad, but not in wooden casks.

Why it matters to you. “Blended” does not mean “unaged”: every component has spent at least three years in oak. Do not confuse it with Blended Malt, a mix of single malts from different distilleries with no grain whisky. The age on the label is that of the youngest whisky in the blend, not an average. And remember the WHO: no amount of alcohol is safe.