Best blended Scotch?

I like Dewers for a non single malt.

 

The first thing to do is to understand the terms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky

Lot's of people think that a single malt is unblended. Not true. The term "single malt" refers to scotch made from barley and grains from a "single area." This is kinda like companies advertising water from Houston sewer pipes versus water from Chicago sewer pipes.

The upshot is that most single malts are blends of different ages of scotch made from the same source.

Now, some distillers sell "cask strength," which is unblended single malt scotch from one barrel. One of these, Macallan Cask Strength which happens to be my all time favorite scotch.

But to answer your question, finally, I hear you sigh, try the 12-year old Dewers. Good stuff.

Dale

PS Even enemies don't let friends drink Chivas.

 

Ballantine's. the 17yr is excellent, though if you open your wallet a little wider you can taste the difference with the 30yr.

 

Johnny Walker Blue (or Black is pretty good too)

For the single malts, I gave up on Glenlivet and switched to Glenfiddich

 

For the Dewers fans out there....I highly recommend Scorsby. It is half the price and it tastes exactly the same. My dad has been drinking dewers for 30 years and claims it is from the same distillery. good value FYI.

 

Green Label is very good for the price. Have never had the gold.

 

To be honest, I have always thought it was about as good as any other blend. I think that this whole snob appeal thing of the expensive single malts (and the cuban cigars, super costly self winding watches, etc.) are to blame for it being out of favor.

Maybe it is due for a resurgence as the drink of the wise enthusiast who is not trying to make a statement with his choice?

 

the terms are always confused, here's the definition's... http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/glossary.html

that said, I'm HUGE drinker of the water of life, my favs are, Balvinie, Macallan esp the 30yr cask, springbank, Glenfarclas, and some of the peaty ones too, Port Ellen, Bowmore - however they are gone (Port Ellen) so getting a bottle is difficult and $$$$$, got lucky and found a bottle sitting on shelf in a rum shop 1982 vintage mmmmmm' good!

 

I like Chivas, and also Johnnie Walker Black. JW has the higher blends, which I love too - just a little pricey.

 

You must have a taste for it but, on a really raw day I like to sip upon three fingers of Laphroaig 15 year old isle of Islay (ILAY) over ice. Very smokey, very distinctly masculine, very inclined to knock you on your ear if you have a bit too much. Sort of like a bit too much 575M before breakfast.

 

"Any Glen will do." - but, as off-any-shelf blends go, I prefer Famous Grouse.

Now, if you want the only Chivas that matters- you'll have to fork over for a shot of Royal Salute. In mid-80's it was 109.00 a bottle. Now... it's beyond stupid money for the delicacy I can only describe as Liquid Fog.
_____

I'm thinking The Year of The Irish will soon be upon us.

Bushmills [Irish Whiskey] is the Granddaddy of of all licensed distilleries, and since 2008 marks it's 400th anniversary, prices will go up soon, what with $ marketing > supply < demand $ and all that good stuff. Jameson's will probably counter that by lowering prices as the year marches on. Beauty of Irish Whiskey is - it's smoooooooth. I'll take mine neat.

 

Rob, The best blended (read: most tolerable ) scotch I've found is Ballantine's. Chivas Royal Salute isn't bad but for the $$, you may as well go for a nice Cadenheads cask single.

 

you guys will prob lynch me for this but i really enjoy jameson, in fact im having some now.

 

I just got a bottle of Jonny Walker Blue and it is better then my Chivas. Very smooth either neet or on ice. In fact I'm working on a glass now. Enjoy

 

Useful site
http://www.scotchwhisky.com/english/about/blended/index.htm[/U]

 

Ahh Geeze, you damn Gen Xers. Okay, here's what you do. Buy a bottle of 12-year old Dewers and that other stuff. Then you need to have a taste test. Try a shot of turpentine, eat a cracker, and then try a taste of Dewers. If you can't tell the difference, there is just not much hope for the future of mankind.

I mean, I hope, that you realize that there are those who would cringe at the idea of 12-year old Dewers. They, who ever they are, would say that the end must be near. To say that Chivas is a good scotch is like saying that a Lexus hunchback is a sports car.

Dale

 

What about Passport?

 

That's where the reject turpentine goes...

 

Well, say hey, der's hope for you yet!

Dale

 

TEXAS style!

 

So that old bottle that is in the back of the liquor cabinet should be moved to the garage next to the paint thinner?

 

Another vote for JW Blue.