Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Blended scotch whiskies have been around forever. They've driven the global reputation of scotch whisky and were wildly successful long before anyone really understood what a single malt was.
Bottled at minimum whisky strengths and sold based on consistency and branding, it's this formula that has brought them their success. However, as a category it remains, in my opinion, a little dull and boring.
As whisky fans we care less about consistency and revel more in the interesting and exciting. It seems to me there have been few attempts to inject energy into the category in order to engage enthusiasts. Strange, because, in theory at least, and in the right hands, a blend can be anything we desire.
Let me be honest though, while I'm a fan of all whisky, my heart is in malt. It's rare for a blend to attract my interest and get the blood pumping. That is, until very recently.
In the last couple of years we've seen some cracking releases from producers daring to take the category in a different direction. Either through an interesting take on things or perhaps something with a little more flavour and experience-fuelled oomph about it.
I've collected a few of interest to me with the intention to build upon the fan favourites that have recently been discovered and loved. Some are fantastically priced and others are priced fantastically. I've been cautious. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. What if these experimental and fresh ideas are the fuel to the next flavour chase?
Let's pop a few and share if any deserve to be the next new shiny thing on our whisky shelf.
I hope to see you there, if you fancy it, bring along your favourite blend.
0:00 - Opening
1:24 - Topic overview
4:20 - Welcoming in the lounge
7:09 - Plug for Jim's Blind Challenge next week (link below)
8:50 - The concept of a blend
12:57 - Blend vs Blended Malt
15:44 - The majority of blends in 2023
21:44 - Isle of Skye 8yo 40%
25:30 - The role of 40% ABV
30:03 - LegFest, Glasgow 30th Sept.
33:26 - Thompson Bros. TB/BSW 6yo 46%
38:53 - The Glasshouse Blend 46%
44:00 - Bailie Nicol Jarvie 40%
46:50 - Té Bheag Unchilfiltered 40%
48:46 - Maclean's Nose 46%
56:07 - North Star 10yo 46.1%
1:08:06 - Cutty Sark Prohibition 50%
1:25:50 - White Heather 15yo
1:41:13 - Turntable Purple Haze 46%
1:55:37 - Summary
2:04:00 - Quiz at the End
The Whiskey Novice youtube.com/@WhiskeyNovice/streams
Blended scotch whiskies have been around forever. They've driven the global reputation of scotch whisky and were wildly successful long before anyone really understood what a single malt was.
Bottled at minimum whisky strengths and sold based on consistency and branding, it's this formula that has brought them their success. However, as a category it remains, in my opinion, a little dull and boring.
As whisky fans we care less about consistency and revel more in the interesting and exciting. It seems to me there have been few attempts to inject energy into the category in order to engage enthusiasts. Strange, because, in theory at least, and in the right hands, a blend can be anything we desire.
Let me be honest though, while I'm a fan of all whisky, my heart is in malt. It's rare for a blend to attract my interest and get the blood pumping. That is, until very recently.
In the last couple of years we've seen some cracking releases from producers daring to take the category in a different direction. Either through an interesting take on things or perhaps something with a little more flavour and experience-fuelled oomph about it.
I've collected a few of interest to me with the intention to build upon the fan favourites that have recently been discovered and loved. Some are fantastically priced and others are priced fantastically. I've been cautious. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. What if these experimental and fresh ideas are the fuel to the next flavour chase?
Let's pop a few and share if any deserve to be the next new shiny thing on our whisky shelf.
I hope to see you there, if you fancy it, bring along your favourite blend.
0:00 - Opening
1:24 - Topic overview
4:20 - Welcoming in the lounge
7:09 - Plug for Jim's Blind Challenge next week (link below)
8:50 - The concept of a blend
12:57 - Blend vs Blended Malt
15:44 - The majority of blends in 2023
21:44 - Isle of Skye 8yo 40%
25:30 - The role of 40% ABV
30:03 - LegFest, Glasgow 30th Sept.
33:26 - Thompson Bros. TB/BSW 6yo 46%
38:53 - The Glasshouse Blend 46%
44:00 - Bailie Nicol Jarvie 40%
46:50 - Té Bheag Unchilfiltered 40%
48:46 - Maclean's Nose 46%
56:07 - North Star 10yo 46.1%
1:08:06 - Cutty Sark Prohibition 50%
1:25:50 - White Heather 15yo
1:41:13 - Turntable Purple Haze 46%
1:55:37 - Summary
2:04:00 - Quiz at the End
The Whiskey Novice youtube.com/@WhiskeyNovice/streams
