🥃 J&B
Blended Scotch whisky from Justerini & Brooks (London, 1749); J&B Rare was created in the early 1930s; over 40 whiskies in the blend; 40% ABV; owned by Diageo.
J&B is a blended Scotch whisky from the London firm Justerini & Brooks, founded in 1749. The J&B Rare version was created in the early 1930s for the American market. The blend contains over 40 whiskies, with Speyside malts at its heart, a base strength of 40% ABV, and Diageo as the brand owner.
History. The firm was started by an Italian, Giacomo Justerini, who traded in liqueurs in London; it received a royal warrant in 1761. The Brooks name appeared in the 19th century, when Alfred Brooks bought the business. Whiskypedia dates the launch of J&B Rare to 1933, when Prohibition ended in the USA; by 1963 the brand was selling a million cases a year in America. Over the years the owners included United Wine Traders, International Distillers & Vintners and Grand Metropolitan; Diageo has run the brand since 1997.
How it is made. According to Difford's Guide, the blend contains about 40 whiskies, while Diageo's materials say 42; the sources differ. According to Whiskypedia, the base is Speyside malts, including Knockando, described as the heart of the blend, and Auchroisk. The rest is grain whisky, and the finished drink is brought down to 40% ABV.
The range. Besides J&B Rare, there have been experimental releases: J&B -6C in 2006 (withdrawn in 2007) and Urban Honey in 2014.
Why this matters to you. This is a blend, not a single malt: the label carries the words "Blended Scotch Whisky". The name "J&B" also belongs to the wine merchant Justerini & Brooks, so it may be used for products other than whisky. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | the firm Justerini & Brooks, 1749 (London); J&B Rare, early 1930s (1933 according to Whiskypedia) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Blended Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | malt and grain whiskies; the malts include Speyside ones, notably Knockando and Auchroisk |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; no age statement |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Speyside whisky, 🥃 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
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Chivas Regal, 🥃 Vat 69, 🥃 Vat 69, 🥃 Teacher's, 🥃 Teacher's, 🥃 Glen Grant, 🥃 Glen Grant, 🥃 Knockando, 🥃 Knockando 12 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that J&B is a single malt?
No. J&B Rare is a blend of more than 40 malt and grain whiskies from different distilleries. A single malt is whisky from one distillery.
What do the letters J and B stand for?
They are the initials of Justerini & Brooks, a London wine and spirits merchant trading since 1749.
How many whiskies are in the J&B Rare blend?
Sources give different numbers: Difford's Guide says about 40, Diageo says 42. It is better not to pin down an exact figure.
Who owns J&B?
Diageo, which has run the brand since 1997; it was previously owned by United Wine Traders, IDV and Grand Metropolitan.
What is the strength of J&B Rare?
40% ABV in the standard version.
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
🥃 Knockando · 🥃 Black & White · 🥃 Vat 69 · 🥃 100 Pipers · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Cardhu
⚠️ 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
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): J&B (Rare early 1930s/1933, 40+ whiskies, Speyside core, Knockando, owners, US sales 1963)
- Difford's Guide: J&B Rare (40 %, roughly 40 whiskies, Justerini 1749, royal warrant 1761, Diageo)
- 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)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)