I don't know how actually helpful this is to scotch explorers, and perhaps an even coarser take might prove useful.
I myself prefer good blends (Famous Grouse at the top since JWB and G and G and B and P are way pricy) to all but a few singles.
Regardless, here there are the lighter and sweeter, J&B, Cutty (not mentioned), Ballantine's, and the distinctly peatier, Teacher's, White Horse, and JW Red (not mentioned).
Some would claim that of these types J&B and Teachers are the standouts, FG aside; I do not disagree.
In between are the in-between, Dewar's and JWBlack and a host of others.
One thing to note, which goes unremarked, is that JWB and Dewar's are much peatier now (not a lot absolutely, but still) than they were decades ago. Presumably this is so as not to jar the young sensibilities of those single-malt lovers gotten used to expecting peat to some degree.
Cost range is wide if you are a (ahem) regular drinker.
Finally, this is essentially a worthless article if not blind (badump goes here) tasting, even for newbies. Quite aside from the general negative knocks and shots and tone about blends.
Try it again without peeking, I would suggest.
It's a shame that blended malts were not included in this ranking, or perhaps more appropriately did not receive a ranking of their own. They tend to be excellent and represent generally good value. For example, while this article crows about Johnnie Walker Black, for about $8 more per bottle (and with a bit of luck), you can snag a far, far superior bottle of Johnnie Walker Green, which is a blended malt (and the best product in the JW line in the estimation of many a Scotch devotee). As a blended malt it contains no grain whisky, sports a fantastic 15 year age statement, and is bottled at 43% ABV instead of the industry standard 40%. Best of all, it possesses the balanced sweet/smoky/creamy trifecta that most fans of blended whisky look for, thanks to its notable single malt components (Caol Ila, Talisker, Linkwood, and Cragganmore). It's a staple on my bar, and frankly one of the best values in scotch, period.
2
Several years ago, I was at the bar at Spark's with a client, tasting our way through a few different whiskeys. At the end of the bar, some Wall Street type - loud and young in a great suit - was going on and on about JW Blue and other overpriced brands, how they were all this and that. I asked the bartender to pour a JW Red and give it to the guy, not telling him what it was. When he asked, I said something like, "drink some water, clean out your palate and tell me what you think." He did, and after tasting what was before him said, "That's terrific...what is it?"
My answer: "About $7/glass." As I said....several years ago.
No Monkey Shoulder?
1
As Paulie said in The Pope of Greenwich Village, "Johnnie Black, rocks."
And to this day, one of my best ever hair of the dog days was waking up New Years day, still drunk as a lord and commenced to pound a bottle of Chivas in a hot tub just to get level.
I was surprised that The Famous Grouse did not make the list. It calls itself "Scotland's Favorite Whisky" and justly so. While I relish Highland and Speyside malts for special occasions, The Famous Grouse is my go-to Scotch for its consistent heather honey smoothness.
1
Me too. I plan to have a blind taste test with friends pitting Famous Grouse against the top two on this list, which I’ve never tried.
So much of this, no matter how authoritatively stated, is subjective. My father drank Dewars which I found to be revolting; same response to Johnny Walkers. Then I tried single malts, many (not all) of which I found entrancing. Truly, de gustibus non disputandem est.
No Cutty Sark taste test?
2
Yes. If you want something that taste great with ginger ale. Otherwise no.
2
Am I missing something? Mr. Asimov didn’t mention the alcohol content, which is the only reason I ever drink this stuff. Am I an outlier? I feel so ashamed!
1
I have been a Teacher's fan for a while. Another fine blend that it doesn't look like you tasted is Islay Mist.
I agree with a few of the other readers: drinking isn't about the drink. It's about relaxing and socializing rather than intellectualizing and analyzing scotch, beer, wine, or coffee. I've wasted so much time fussing about single malts, single origins, and terroir. It's nice to get back to basics and just enjoy a simple pleasure.
3
I think one of the reasons that blended Scotch gets pushed to the background is that for a long time there hasn't been much innovation or focus on quality. The rise of Single Malts starved many blenders of good stock. There was a time when blends like White Horse had substantial quantities of single malts like Lagavulin. No longer. And vatted/blended all-malt blends haven't really caught on, which is a shame, because most single malts have flaws or gaps in their flavor profiles, which would still be great mixed with another single malt or two.
The other thing is that, as I've written here before, is that the decrease in ABV to 40% seemed to make a big difference. Not long ago, my father gave me an unopened bottle of old Chivas he found that might have been a gift years ago. It was from the time Chivas was 43%. The difference from today's bottling was stark. Some of that may have been the older blend, but I think a lot of it was the 43% ABV. I think whisk(e)y should be bottled at no less than 43-46%.
It's interesting you mention (Haig's) Pinch, which was my father's favorite (that and Chivas Regal). We always had a bottle in the house. And interestingly, my maternal grandfather was partial to Teacher's. I haven't had it for a long time, but I remember it being thin and somewhat saline in nature.
As an aside, some might like Johnnie Walker's Green Label, which has returned to the market, is a vatted malt and at 43% ABV and a 15-year age statement.
4
Blended scotch is my go-to, either on the rocks or with soda or water. No, I don't want my whiskey to "challenge" me. I want it to taste good. There are of course I incredible single malts but I find the majority way over-priced. if take Dewar's over 90% of them and not just for price point.
Singles have become so fetishized that most of them aren't worthwhile - though they might look pretty on your bar.
5
These drink tasting articles tend to come off rather preachy, and nearly always ignore a key point. People don't really drink alcohol for the flavor. To back up my point, I'd like to point out the notable lack of significant sales for non-alcoholic beers other non-alcoholic "premium" drinks. The drinks cannot survive without making other claims, such as "energy" drinks that claim to perk up the drinker.
Without the inebriation or some other non-flavor factor involved, people refuse to pay those very high prices for beverages that are mostly water. Especially when that water itself is often available nearly for free.
1
If it's just to get schnockered, why is there more than just a tiny handful of kinds? Why bother aging? Why are there blends at all? There is a simple answer: Your hypothesis is wrong and "people" DO drink for many reasons other than inebriation.
4
Sadly in ways, alcohol is almost essential to delivering the flavor, just as most low or no-fat products don't measure up. If there were really good non-alcoholic beers in various styles and not just generic 'pilsener' (and there are a few decent ones, mostly German and not available here) they'd sell.
1
Mr. Anthony: If taste has nothing to do with it, may I suggest the Boone's Farm Apple Wine, Gallo Port, Thunderbird or MD 20/20.
I’ve made round trips around Scotland’s single malt offerings. After much traveling, I best enjoy Johnnie Black
7
I want to follow you around Scotland.
2
The Cherry Heering was obligatory in my parents' Bronx household, as well, even as I almost never saw either drink, offering it only to guests. There was certainly never any Scotch, Whiskey, Gin or any of those "American" liquors. Drambuie, some assorted Hungarian liquors, but always for sipping. My household is the same, other than for the occasional gift (that typically gets re-gifted), but my Americanized kids have very, very different home offerings and speak of the differences between single malt and blends, as if they knew what they were speaking about.
2
Dalwhinnie Highland malt is my personal favorite. Since gin and rye have made a comeback in recent years it doesn’t surprise me that blended Scotch may be making one too. Wonder what will be next?
What’s the word? Thunderbird.
What’s the price? 50 twice.
5
Remember, you are drinking a solvent. Make it good.
1
Water is a solvent too.
5
You're technically drinking a solution. Literally.
1
Most Scotch sold still seems to be blended, but a lot of people have never cared for Scotch. The musky taste is a turnoff. My first single malt was 12 year old Bushmill's which had been a gift--it was smooth and spoiled me for anything else...until I was introduced to single malt Scotch. I suspect the popularity of Irish whisky is that it is a single malt without the single malt price--yes, more than a blend and less smooth than a high end Scotch sing malt, but basically achieving a sweet spot that many people (my self included) like. Liquor comes and goes in popularity, along with mixed drinks--who among us has a had a whisky sour in the last couple decades? So why should we expect certain spirits to always endure.
6
The classic "single malts are better" arguement is a sure way of knowing that a person does not know Scotch.
18
Yes Carla, I am sure you know more about Scotch than David Wondrich.
3
Wondrich wouldn't knock a good blended Scotch.
For me, the blended kicks like a mule. I once drained a bottle of old Johnny, and could recall nothing for five days. You can’t do no better than that! The single malts, every time I kick one back, I get the barfs for some reason. I mean they tastes good, they go down real easy. Maybe that’s the problem.
3
Hilarious. Stay classy, Chicago.
JWB is a great blended Scotch. Like others have said, blends have their place. Single malt is in fashion and you really have to pay for it.
3
The Famous Grouse is the most popular whisky at the R&A clubhouse at St. Andrews and the the biggest seller in Scotland. It's omission from the article is glaring.
21
Famous Grouse is a wee bit on the wrong side of musky and slightly cloying. If gamey were a word to describe Scotch, Ithink FG would fit the bill. That said, I wouldn’t turn my nose up if on a dark and stormy night...
2
Famous Grouse has a gluey taste, or is taste's like epoxy smells.
1
I hear Naked Grouse(sherry cask maturation) and Smoky Grouse are delicious. It’s an iconic blend with choices for all!
Oban, please! Neat and in the proper tulip glass. Water on the side. Or maybe just a few drops in the glass (with a pipette).
6
Yes blended scotch has a major place. Blue Label.
2
I have favored Johnny Black for years but if I decide I would like something special I buy single malt. It is a whole different world.
5
“Ye cannae whack a Teacher” was a ubiquitous advert slogan in Scotland years ago.
And yes, The Famous Grouse - IMHO is the best blended.
7
If I owned a bar I would find a place for anything people want to drink, rather than deciding based on what some critic thinks they should want to drink.
6
Maybe a blended scotch on the rocks will become the only post-modern bar offer to have never have been a modern bar one.
2
As is well known but missing from this article, scotch IS the blended versions and single malts are a modern happening. IMHO challenging is the polite way of saying bad tasting. Why drink something that might carry the flavor note of iodine?! Sipping is nonsense for a product designed for mind alteration. Single malts prove how silly humans can be and how money can be wasted.
4
"Sipping is nonsense for a product designed for mind alteration."
Yes we should all just stick with drinking grain alcohol to get the best bang for the buck!
4
As someone who first drank single malts in 1978 and who has drunk many a one since, I have always believed that there was a place for a good blend. In my time I have preferred Teachers, Johnny Walker, and Dewar’s at various stages in my life. Over the years, I have “caught” pretentious twits on several occasions who claimed to only drink single malts (and, usually very expensive ones at that) exclaiming with delight when served a blend instead.
I recently read an article that claimed most wine drinkers fail blind taste tests. In my experience a fair number of scotch drinkers do so, also.
8
I appreciated the author's (and editor's allowance of) the extended description of where the names come from and what the production involves for this somewhat mythical group of spirits.
One question I might have, as an amateur cook who struggles sometimes to make the same dish seem as flavorful as before, is how the end blended product can be so spot on, considering the wide variety of the spirits that go into a blend. For instance, I love pure maple syrup, but have learned that the forest from which the sap is harvested can have a dramatic effect upon the end color and flavor, even with sugar bushes just a few miles away, or a good farm raised stewing hen can impart a far richer flavor than a more quickly (even if free ranged) raised hen can.
Therefore, how can a bottler take all these various components, from grain whiskey to singles, and blend them reliably together to achieve the same flavor from bottle to bottle, season to season?
Has anyone taken one brand of blended, and compared them to each other from over, say several years, or purchased from one large city to another part-way across the country? Does the same brand taste the same? If so, then the bottlers have achieved a remarkable result.
3
Well I think the distilleries have what they cal a Master Blender that knows exactly the signature taste that their particular product is known for. It is apparently an art form that takes many years of training. To me, yes each brand, Dewars, JWB, etc. tastes exactly the same as it did ten years ago.
2
As noted below, they have a master blender with superior taste and olfactory abilities. Much like a Champagne house, they use reference samples to maintain constancy; but they do change a bit over time in my experience. In some cases, the component malts are just not available in sufficient quantity.
1
As a long time Laphroig fan since it sold for around $20 a bottle I have been priced out of single malts except for duty free exceptions. Recently, I tried a blended malt called Monkey Shoulder at the PA Wine and Spirit shop. A really nice blend at a more affordable price.
11
Agree, Monkey Shoulder is quite good! It’s affordable.
4
Yeah, Monkey Shoulder is a blend of famous Speyside whiskys, and unlike most blends, doesn't include any generic grain alcohol; it's all malt. Kind of a big difference between something like than and Grouse or Teacher's.
I once tended bar in an old hotel in the north of Scotland. The most common blended Scotch served was ordered simply as a 'low flyer' or better known as Famous Grouse.
13
Hello Alex. . .and yes, Famous Grouse is the most widely consumed scotch in Scotland. . .a fact seemingly lost on the writer. It is well made, consistent, and an absolute delight, but often does not "show up" in articles like this one. I am amazed it did not make the writer's list. . .and I am very certain many in Scotland feel the same. I guess the average Scot just doesn't have any sense of taste. :) I was glad to see your comment. . .good job.
4
It's all a mix of drinking style, price and personal taste. If you drink it neat or with just a splash of water you will probably most favor a single malt (if your wallet permits). If you drink it on the rocks or as a constituent of a cocktail you may well prefer a blend.
For what it's worth, this long-time drinker of scotch on the rocks only gets excited by McCallan among the single malts. My day-to-day drink is Johnny Walker Red, which I prefer to the several increasingly higher-priced JW iterations and which I buy in the economical 1.75 liter bottle. You pays your money; you takes your choice.
15
I hope this comes off gently: If you are going to tout Macallan (which was great before the big range expansion and changes) please spell it correctly.
1
White Horse is my cheap go to for a scotch and soda (it features Lagavulin as part of the blend), but I surely wouldn’t reach for the bottle and a glencairn glass at the same time.
I agree that Buchanan’s 12 is a well rounded blend that can rival some of the more common single malts, but, for me, the real beauty of a blend is its price point, and Buchanan’s is priced up there with Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, which I would prefer over Buchanan’s.
Dewars White Label is a standby and is quite reliable. Other notables, in my experience, are Te Bheag, Johnnie Black (and red), and Famous Grouse.
Of course, if it were financially tenable, I’d rinse my mouth each night with Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig 10, Balvanie Double Wood or Aberlour A’bunadh...
Cheers.
10
You sir possess outstanding taste in mouthwash.
4
Have you tried Talisker?
1
Travel tip: if you want to drink fine single malts very cheaply, go to Italy and order it in a trattoria or a bar. One restaurant I recently went to in Anzio had a spirits menu with Lagavulin and Talisker at three euro ($3.66) for like a two finger measure. The Italians apparently think that Jack Daniels is the top shelf article bar none. At another bar in Rome, after rejecting the proffered JD, the owner retrieved a bottle from way in the back to which I gave the nod. It was Oban, he he literally filled a six ounce tumbler three quarters the way to the top and charged me four euro. I was giddy, they just don’t know.
3
Thank you for the interesting review. In my experience, all blended scotch whiskies are acceptable, especially over the rocks or with soda. Single malts range from pretty good to awful, but are usually too expensive.
5
Single Malts awful? I would love to pick your brain as to why. Aside from price, the L’s are the path to serenity for me (Lagavulin and Laphroaig).
1
He said they "range from pretty good to awful", and I would have to agree - there are definitely awful single malts out there, though I agree with your sentiment towards Lagavulin and Laphroaig.
2
For some reason there has been a fashion trend towards simplicity and purity recently. single malt scotches, single grape wines, and very simple dishes. Even as I typed the words "simplicity and purity" I felt the words undermining the point to come. For many years the fashion was for complexity; blends over single malts, clarets over syrah, or bearnaise sauces over plain meat. We are all victims of fashion toying with what we like. i like blended scotch and enjoy single malts, i drink shiraz at partys but love a good claret with my plain steak. Blended scotches are simply out of fashion, which denies the art and craft of the blenders who strive to create a symphony out of the blended notes of the single malts. As to the viability of blended scotches, it is said that Winston Churchill, who as prime minister of Britain had the choice of any scotch in the land. preferred a blend.
12
"For many years the fashion was for complexity; blends over single malts"
Quite ironic since single malts taste more complex than blends. Blends are safe, inoffensive, and "smooth".
Churchill also preferred his martinis without vermouth :)
Of course blended malts outsell single malts. Ford outsells Mercedes too.
11
They make better cars, too. Check out Consumer Reports.
2
Ironic that irony-loving Millennials haven’t embraced blended whiskies.
The artisanship of the blending seems like it would attract as well as many brands’ identity with an earlier, mid-Century modern selective nostalgia.
But, really, it’s not single malt v. blended. It’s like coffee: sometimes a single origin is the thing; more often than not, a judicious blend carries the morning.
7
I think your average Millennial is probably not yet a serious whisky drinker.
Dewars used to stand out when it was 86.3 proof. The change to 80 proof occurred around 1990, and much of its unique smoothness was lost. Also, nothing was said of the difference between US bottled scotch and blended scotch bottled in Scotland, although one US bottled Scotch, John Begg, made your cut. A shame that Pinch was not in your group. It’s head and shoulders above the crowd.
6
Fully agree about the dewar’s. I had a very old bottle of the 86.3 proof whiskey, until recently. Bought a bottle of the 80 proof and was very disappointed. Little flavor, as with too many 80 proof blends. Monkey shoulder, a vatted malt is quite good and affordable.
I heartily agree. The reduction to 40% was a bad move. It changed the mouth-feel and viscosity as well.
1
As a Scotch drinker for almost 60 years who was raised in a family that immigrated from the Highlands I can personally attest that a good blended scotch is much better than a mediocre, over-peated single malt.
There are and always have been any number of truly odious blends, both cheap and over-priced. But the explosion of whimsically-named, small distillery single malts over the last couple of decades has produced even more dreadful “artisanal” brands. Conspicuous consumption of “prestige” products and esoteric labels skews the market for any product, especially with growing demand. Scotch is no different.
32
Some of the best Scotch style whiskey is made in Japan.
1
And some of the worst.
Why not one of the more sophisticated Compass Box blends? Adults is pleasant and easy on the mouth, but what about Oak and Cross, or Hedonism?
2
Happy to see Famous Grouse has a following.
I am always curious about some house brands that are a mystery. Trader Joe's has a house label that has sparked many a speculative conversation with TJ's staff. Rumors are plentiful concerning its origins and composition. Since it can be more than a year between my trips to a TJ's with a spirits department, they're not allowed in OR, the flavor and finish can vary between batches.
7
@NM
I'm also glad whisky is banned in the Operating Room.
how about Monkey Shoulder? discovered it recently, and it's replaced Dewar's as my go-to blend.
9
Agree. Underrated as noted by its omission from this article.
1
Monkey Shoulder is a vatted blend (all single malts) I believe. It was good the last time I had it.
2
Grant's for me. Best value. Rich taste and color. More popular overseas than in the U.S. If I could afford the peaty Islays, I'd have them all the time. In the meantime, Grant's.
4
Grant’s and Ballentine’s are my go to and generally less than Dewer’s And Johnnie Walker. But I do remember being in college 40 years ago. We were 20 miles from New Hampshire where booze was cheap. Pinch was cheaper than Dewar’s in Maine. It was soooo good. Mmm. To be young again,
4
Johnny Walker Green Label, if you can find it, is insanely great...
7
Chivas 18 is a beautiful whisky.
4
Pity you missed out on Pinch. It's a true standout in an otherwise mediocre lot.
4
One more expression of support for Famous Grouse. At 75, I value dependable long-term relationships, rather than trendy short-term flings.
38
How John Begg made the list is a mystery. It is sort of on the rotgut end of the spectrum, like Duggans Dew. Price is definitely a reliable indicator of quality when choosing a bottle of Scotch, even with the single malts. A good Blended will always taste better that a cheap single malt.
1
Still go for the single malt. It is the best!
8
Perhaps in Manhattan they're an afterthought, but in the rest of the world....
In much of Asia, JWB means scotch. In Scotland, they pour lots of blended scotch. Why two of the four US mainstream blended scotches, JWR and Famous Grouse, weren't tested is a huge gap. J&B is listed at twice the price of every liquor store I go to -- its normally cheaper than Dewars. Every hotel bar, every wedding, every VFW, serves blended scotch at a somewhat reasonable price. Its what you get when you order scotch on the rocks. And its what you should get, at 1/3 to 1/4 the price of a mainstream single malt (retail for the high-quality volume brands is $30 per 1.75l). Its a solid, predictable, tasty product just like their Bourbon and Tequila counterparts. Would have also liked to see Haig Club reviewed -- very interesting and tasty product that never caught fire from a massive initial marketing rollout.
12
It's a shame that Johnny Walker Blue was out of your price range. It is also out of mine, but I was fortunate enough to receive a bottle for a birthday present a couple of years ago. Amazing stuff.
7
Also missing is Johnie Walker Gree Label 15 Years Old and around $64. 750ml. A big step up from JWB. But at that price, one might just as well purchase a very good single malt instead. That should be Green Label. (The NYT comment section is extremely unstable on tablet. Correcting the typo by repositioning the cursor causes the entire comment to vanish, a known issue that they are unable to remedy.)
2
I agree. I think Green Label is superior to Blue, and at a substantially smaller price. Blue is overrated and 'big' because it's expensive and a way to show off.
2
One of the reasons I like blended Scotch whisky is its reliability: I know I like Chivas Regal (1st preference) and Johnnie Walker Black (2nd preference). Unlike many single malts, I also know that Chivas and JWB don't cause migraines in me -- all Irish whiskeys that I've tried and many single-malt and vatted Scotch whiskies do. When I am in the mood, I often take a throw on a single malt, and I've enjoyed sampling them in Scotland and Ireland. But when I want a nice drink, under social occasions, and don't want to risk 1) spending lots of money on a single malt that I find I don't enjoy; and 2) don't want to do a 1-subject experiment on whether this single malt falls into the migraine-producing category, I get my Chivas and enjoy my night out!
10
As a 34-year sober alcoholic, I still very much enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane. Dewar's was my everyday blend, with Dimple Haig (Also called Pinch.) or Johnny Walker Black for special occasions. Availability of single malts was limited back in the early eighties, but Laphroaig could be had in the States.
Probably the smoothest whisky I ever tasted was the triple-distilled Auchentoshan, a lowland single malt. If you ever have a chance to taste it, don't pass it by.
Cheers!
18
Hemingway in his novel, The Garden Of Eden, features Haig as the main character’s Scotch when he is not drinking a Martini. The novel also features so many other high end products by name, one begins to wonder if Hem was getting paid for the placements.
11
Glad someone mentioned Laphroaig. My personal nap favorite. Not some Johnny come lately promising “experience” and “hints of any notes.” Like kissing a mermaid that ate BBQ. Each time. Every time.
4
Love your description! Thanks for the laugh.
I really wish that you had added Dewar's 12 yr. old to your line-up--it would have been good to see a competition between two scotches of the same age.
4
The chasing after idiosyncratic and esoteric flavor notes--not only in whisky, but in craft beer, cider, etc.--has all gotten a little too precious. Most people take a drink as an adjunct to social interaction, which doesn't mean droning on about hints and profiles, some of which seem to get more and more extreme. Single malts can be divas, clamoring for attention, not always in a good way. Sometimes you just want a drink with friends before dinner. I'm getting weary of non-stop "experiences."
54
Blended Scotches go pretty good with a single egg cooked in a spoon over a wood fire.
1
Famous Grouse overlooked again. Great value.
24
One huge missing piece here: did you taste neat, on rocks, on ice and water, ice and soda, or other mixed drinks?
Personally, I lean to single or vatted malts for neat, but sometimes I do want a cold drink and in those cases I often go for a blended whiskey (JWB) on either rocks or ice and water. I think it’s a common use-case and your readers could use the info.
12
Actually, Scots tend to drink whisky (they do not call it Scotch) with just a splash of water -- no ice.
17
My Highland Scottish grandfather, born in 1892 ,taught me to drink it neat. As he put it: “There’s enough water in it already!”
11
I'll second that. I learned that at Milroy's, where they splashed in a touch of Highland Spring. That's how I do it now.
1