High-end Blends? Who are they, I have a partial list

by **Vange** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:56 am

As far as blends go, what are the higher end blended whiskies of the world?

1) JW Blue
2) CR Royal Salute
3) Kings Crest 25 (new)
4) Famous Grouse 30
5) J&B Ultima
etc

I know Ballantines has blends, but which would fit in the above list.

by **Mr Fjeld** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:37 am

I think Mitchell's 12 Years Old is considered as a very good blended which contains a healthy dose of Springbank single malt. I haven't tried it but then it costs more than several decent single malts.

Link:
http://www.springbankdistillers.com/pro ... r-old.html

Christian

by **Frodo** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:29 am

Blue Hanger 25yr
Middleton VR
Cutty Sark 25
Campbeltown Loch 21 & 25

by **Bullie** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:59 am

For all Islay-freaks out there, there's Black Bottle 10 yo, which is a blend made of seven distilleries of Islay and some grain...

A proper smoker, with clear notes of Ardbeg and Laphroaig.

by **Bullie** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:02 pm

Frodo wrote:Blue Hanger 25yr
Campbeltown Loch 21 & 25

Three really good blends, though the Blue Hanger is a vatted malt...

by **Di Blasi** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:22 pm

Has anyone tried the interesting sounding Adelphi Ben Nevis Blend 1970 aged 24y?? I'm getting more curious about blends, especially this one since it's from grain and malt from only Ben Nevis, and it's my birthyear!

by **Paul A Jellis** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:11 pm

Some very good blends I have tried recently are:

Dewers 18
Dewers Signature
Campletown Loch
Whyte & Mackay 12 & 18
Bailie Nicol Jarvie
and
Compass Box - Asyla

Cheers

Paul

by **Lawrence** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:19 pm

Ballantines 17 is very good also.

by **ScotchBlog** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:23 pm

Bullie wrote:For all Islay-freaks out there, there's Black Bottle 10 yo, which is a blend made of seven distilleries of Islay and some grain...

There's also the no declared age version, but I don't think I would consider either a high end blend...

by **ScotchBlog** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:23 pm

Lawrence wrote:Ballantines 17 is very good also.

I've heard the 17 is VERY good...need to try some.

by **The Fachan** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:41 pm

Ballantines 30 has been voted best blend at the ISC awards for the past three years.

Ian

by **bamber** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:09 am

Ben Nevis 40yo 'blended at birth' - One of the best whiskies I've had the pleasure of tasting.

by **Vange** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:56 pm

So, to summarize and stay on par with high-end blends

1. JW Blue
2. CR RS
3. J&B Ultima
4. Kings Crest 25
5. Ballantine 30
6. Cutty Sark 25
7. Cambeltown Loch 25 (though tough to find)
8. Dewars Signature
9. Famous Grouse 30
10. Dew of Ben Nevis 40

Not a bad list so far!

by **Lawrence** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:58 pm

You forgot to include Ballantines 17.....agian :wink:

by **ScotchBlog** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:01 pm

Are you listing these in some sort of order?
If, it is on taste and not cost, CR Salute DEFINITELY should go above the JW Blue

Also if you ARE going on price, I'd add JW Gold and Compass Box Asyla, which are both good and in a similar price point.

by **Mr Fjeld** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:09 pm

.....what about blends from other parts of the world? Japanese perhaps? And why are there no irish blends on that list? The Jameson 12yo is wonderful and although I haven't tasted Jameson 18 I would say that's a perfect candidate as a high end blended whisky?

Christian

by **lexvo** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:32 pm

Bullie wrote:For all Islay-freaks out there, there's Black Bottle 10 yo, which is a blend made of seven distilleries of Islay and some grain...
A proper smoker, with clear notes of Ardbeg and Laphroaig.

I second this. Black Bottle is a very fine blend and excellent value for the money.

by **Bullie** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:39 pm

ScotchBlog wrote:
There's also the no declared age version, but I don't think I would consider either a high end blend...

That must be a question on how you define 'high-end'....

by **Photon** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 4:16 am

I'll add Haig & Haig Pinch to the list. I liked this one a lot in college. It kept me form giving up on whisk(e)y after a bad experience.

-P.

by **Vange** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:43 pm

It's just a list, no specific order in mind. I agree CR RS is better than JW Blue as well.

Also, I suppose I am sticking with scottch blends for now in this list. High-end based on price and prestige.

by **Deactivated Member** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:00 pm

I think Famous Grouse 30 is a vatted malt as well.
Black Bottle, BNJ, and Antiquary 21 are blends I would go for. Not sure about Blue Label. Seems quite ordinary for such an expensive price ticket. Still a good whisky though - just not worth the cost IMHO.

by **Vange** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:24 pm

Antiquary 21 looks like a good blend to add to the list. As far as FG 30 goes, I was recently at WhiskyLive in NYC and FG had a 30 year scotch behind the booth. I had a sample of it and they said it was a 30 year blend that hasn't hit the market yet. I am not 100% if I got my facts right (I did have a few drmas by then). Has anyone else heard about this new FG product?

High-end Blends? Who are they, I have a partial list

High-end Blends? Who are they, I have a partial list

RUNNING LIST

just a list

I'll add Antiquary