If you like your whiskey, there’s a very good chance you know quite a lot about blended scotch whiskey already. If not, you’ll probably quickly come to find that it doesn’t get the respect it deserves.

A lot of whiskey drinkers consider blended scotch a bit of a cop-out. A lot of people also only use it as a mixing whiskey. However, blended scotch actually has a lot to offer. In fact, despite the negative press it receives, it actually dominates sales.

Blended scotch is versatile, delicious, and usually made to a high quality. It can be drunk neat, mixed into a cocktail, or simply mixed with popular beverages like Coke to make a refreshing, boozy beverage.

If you want to enjoy blended scotch, you need to find the best bottle. With so many options to choose from, this can be tough. Luckily for you though we’re here to help.

In this article, you’ll find a list of the best-blended scotch. We’ll now show you what each bottle has to offer!

What Is Blended Scotch?

Before we go any further, let us quickly explain what blended scotch is for those that don’t know.

To put it simply, blended scotch is made from a combination of different malt whiskeys and other types of grain. Primarily made from barley, this differs from single malt scotch which is produced entirely from barley. Single malt scotch also only comes from one distillery.

Blended scotch is made from a wide range of whiskies. Therefore, it isn’t a product of one specific distillery. As you can imagine, this makes the master blenders’ jobs very important.

As a result of its versatile design and ability to be made using a variety of different grains, blended scotch is usually a lot more affordable than most single malt whiskeys.

They are also a lot easier to find.

Despite the differences between the two types of beverages, it would be silly to discount blended whiskey. It can still be equally as delicious, thought-provoking, and complex as single malt scotch.

1. Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whiskey

The first blended scotch whiskey on our list is Monkey Shoulder’s blended scotch whiskey. Monkey Shoulder is famous for producing a wide range of tasty whiskies that are perfect for drinking neat and mixing.

The brand’s blended scotch is right up there with the very best blended scotch on the market. When you take availability, flavor, price tag, and versatility into account, you can’t argue with what this whiskey has to offer.

Made from three completely different malts, this whisky has a complex flavor profile which contains notes of vanilla, malt, and dried apricots. This helps produce a lush flavor that is creamy, rich, and fruity.

Other notes you can expect to come across are nutmeg and spices. These help balance the flavor of the whisky, ensuring it isn’t too sweet or fruity. With every sip of this scotch, you can also expect subtle undertones of oak.

When we tried this blended scotch, we loved how smooth it was. It goes down a treat. We also found that it made a fabulous addition to a hot toddy (see the best whiskey for a hot toddy here).

Pros

• Affordable – This bottle of blended scotch won’t break the bank.
• Gorgeous flavor profile – Monkey Shoulder blended scotch has a fantastic combination of flavors.
• Versatile – Easily mix this scotch into a cocktail.

Cons

• High alcohol percentage – You might wake up with a headache in the morning.

Also available at

Drizly.com

2. Johnnie Walker Black

If you consider yourself a whiskey connoisseur, there’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Johnnie Walker before. You might even have a bottle sitting in your whisky cabinet right now!

For those of you that haven’t heard of Johnnie Walker before, Johnnie Walker is known for producing one of, if not the best blended Scotch whisky the market has ever seen. The brand has a wide variety of different blended scotch whiskeys to choose from.

However, for us, Johnnie Walker Black stands out tall above the rest. A go-to for anybody that enjoys a blended scotch whiskey, this whiskey is blended from an astonishing 36 individual different types of whiskies. These whiskies come from distilleries found all over Scotland.

This includes peat-heavy brands like Lagavulin.

When it comes to flavor, you can expect to encounter a wide range of different scents, aromas, and tastes. Some flavors we enjoy are dried raisins, glazed nuts, butterscotch, and charred oak.

Super smooth, and impactful, this blended scotch is best when served over ice and slowly sipped.

Pros

• Strong reputation – Johnnie Walker Black is well-known for producing high-quality blended scotch.
• Solid blend – This scotch is made from 36 different types of whiskey.
• Reasonably priced – Johnnie Walker Black blended scotch isn’t that expensive.

Cons

• A little boring to some – More experienced whiskey drinkers might find this blended scotch a little bit boring.

Also available at

Drizly.com

3. The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch

The next blended scotch on our list comes from the incredibly famous and popular Famous Grouse brand. Founded in 1896, Famous Grouse is easily one of the best and most recognizable whiskey brands in the world.

They produce everything from single malt whiskeys to some of the very best blended scotch whiskeys. The blended scotch the brand manufactures is absolutely delightful. It is packed with flavor, is powerful, versatile, and surprisingly affordable.

From what we’ve experienced with this blended scotch, it is probably the best-blended scotch whiskey on the market for those of you looking to make whiskey cocktails. The flavor profile is perfectly balanced to make it an appropriate option for most cocktails.

As far as flavors are concerned, we can expect strong fruity flavors, creamy vanilla, and citrusy notes.

What we love most about the flavors on offer is that they lead nicely on from creamy, fruity, and almost shortbread flavors to a more warming, aromatic, and spiced flavor. This flavorful finish will hold its own against various mixes.

Pros

• Perfect for cocktails – Famous Grouse Blended Scotch is versatile enough to be used in a range of different cocktails.
• Flavor-packed – This blended scotch is loaded with flavors.
• Holds its own – The flavors of this whiskey will shine through any cocktail.

Cons

• Not the best whiskey to drink neat – This whiskey doesn’t taste as good as others when served neat.

Also available at

Reservebar.com

4. Dewar’s Double Double Aged Blended Scotch Whiskey 21 Year

If you came here looking for the best bottle of blended scotch to gift someone, look no further than Dewar’s double double blended scotch. This is a unique blended scotch that any whisky lover would love to receive.

The scotch undergoes a four-stage aging process before being finished off in a sherry cask. 21 years old, finishing the scotch off in a sherry cask ensures the bottle is loaded with the very best flavors.

In fact, the sherry casks leave the scotch with a Christmas pudding-like flavor and aroma. Other key flavors you’re loved one will experience when sipping this delicious whiskey are grilled tropical fruits, cashews, and honey. As you can imagine, this combination of flavors is sweet, tart, and slightly earthy.

When we tried this whiskey, we also came across subtle notes of smoked wood. This was unexpected but enjoyable.

Before buying this bottle of blended scotch, it is probably worth noting that it is 46%. This isn’t necessarily a problem but it is a sign that this whiskey should be sipped slowly. After all, you don’t want to wake up feeling worse for wear.

Pros

• Great gift idea – Dewar’s double double would make a fabulous gift.
• Unique flavors – Finishing the scotch in sherry casks leaves the whiskey with a unique flavor.
• Attractive bottle – The bottle this blended scotch comes in looks great.

Cons

• Pricey – This scotch will cost you more than others on this list.

Also Available at

Reservebar.com

5. Compass Box Orchard House

To finish our list, we’ve decided to include a more unique blended scotch whiskey option. If you’re looking for something more interesting and intriguing, make sure you take a closer look at this bottle as we’re sure it will have everything you’re looking for.

Compass Box is a London-based whiskey company that sources its blended scotch from whiskies found all the way across Scotland.

One of the best things about the brand is its transparency when it comes to telling customers where their whisky comes from and how it is made. Aside from offering reassurance, this tells an interesting story.

Compass Box’s Orchard House’s blended scotch is a wonderful blend. Interestingly though, it doesn’t contain any grain whiskey. Instead, it is made solely out of blended malt. It features liquid from companies such as Clynelish and Linkwood.

In terms of flavor, this whiskey tastes amazing. It has a divine fruity expression that has a strong sweet and spiced flavor. When it comes to using the scotch, it can be drunk on its own over ice or mixed with other spirits and ingredients.

Personally, we like to enjoy this blended scotch on its own before bed.

Pros

• Unique – This blended scotch is more unique than others.
• Gluten-free – This whiskey is gluten-free, making it suitable for those with celiac disease.
• Divine flavors – More importantly, this whiskey tastes wonderful (see also ‘What Does Whiskey Taste Like‘).

Cons

• Expensive – This is another expensive bottle of blended scotch.

Also available at

Reservebar.com

Buyer’s Guide

You now know more about the best-blended scotch brands on the market. Now you know this, you can start to think about which bottle of blended scotch you want to buy. However, this is sometimes easier said than done.

There are a number of important things you need to think about if you’re going to make the best decision. To make the decision-making process easier for you, we’ve listed some of these things in this buyer’s guide.

Make sure you remember these things when picking the right blended scotch.

Is It Actually A Blended Scotch?

It may seem pretty simple but it can be surprisingly easy to forget or mix up. Arguably the most important thing you have to do when buying a bottle of blended scotch is make sure that it is actually a blended scotch.

Thankfully, distinguishing between the two is pretty easy. All you have to do is read the product description. Here, you’ll find a clear indication as to whether or not the whiskey is blended or not.

Just to remind you, blended scotch is a type of whiskey made from a combination of malt whiskey and other grains, whereas single malt scotch is made from barley in one distillery.

ABV

Another important thing to keep an eye out for is ABV. ABV stands for alcohol by volume. It essentially refers to the strength of the alcohol in a particular beverage. It is typically shown as a percentage.

So, why is it important? Well, the alcohol percentage gives you an indication as to how strong the whiskey is. The higher the percentage, the stronger the whiskey. If you prefer a whiskey that isn’t too powerful, choose a bottle with a lower alcohol percentage.

On the other hand, if you prefer a whiskey that blows your socks off, go with a higher percentage. Whiskey that packs a punch usually has an alcohol percentage of at least 40 to 45%.

The Flavors

Of course, the flavor of the whiskey you choose is important too. It makes very little sense to choose a whiskey before first learning more about how it tastes. Buying a blended scotch blindly could leave you with a bottle you don’t like.

You should first decide what sort of flavors you enjoy and what you expect from your whiskey. You might like sweet and fruity whiskies, mild and creamy whiskeys, or maybe something smoky.

Either way, you can only find a whiskey you enjoy if you first read product descriptions and reviews. We’ve given you a good selection of flavors in this article.

Age

Finally, you should also take the age of the whiskey into consideration too. Generally speaking, younger whiskies don’t taste as traditional. They can also be harsher and almost one-dimensional.

On the other hand, older whiskies that have been stored in a cask for longer tend to lose their harsher flavor. The flavor of these whiskies also becomes a lot more complex. They also have a longer finish and are more full-bodied.

As a result, we recommend looking for the oldest whiskey you can afford. Anything 12 years or older is great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Age Matter In Whiskey?

Yes, age definitely matters when it comes to whiskey. Unfortunately, age isn’t just a number in this instance. Age dramatically impacts how whiskey tastes.

Younger whiskies don’t usually have a classic flavor or taste that complex, whereas older whiskies are more complex, full-bodied, and come with a more impactful flavor.

Having said that, whiskies that have aged for longer aren’t always considered better. All the aging process does is change the flavors we experience.

What Is The Best Blended Scotch In The World?

Everyone has different palettes and different flavors they enjoy. As a result, everyone’s favorite blended scotch can change. Having said that, one of the best-blended scotches in the world is believed to be Johnnie Walker.

This is a hugely popular brand of blended scotch that most people consider their go-to choice of blended scotch whiskey.

What Is The Top Selling Blended Scotch?

As a result of the brand’s popularity, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the best-selling blended scotch in the United States is Johnnie Walker Black. This blended scotch is unbelievably popular all over America.

Year after year, the Johnnie Walker brand sells at least 1 million bottles of this blended scotch. Based on flavor, availability, and price, it’s not hard to see why.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the best bottles of blended scotch you can buy on the market right now. In this article, we showed you 5 of the best scotch brands. As you can see from our top 5 options, the market is well stocked with some excellent blended scotch brands.

To ensure you have plenty of options to choose from, we made sure our list included a wide range of different blended scotch from a range of different companies. This gives you a better chance to find something you enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for a blended scotch to mix into a cocktail, the best-blended scotch to drink over ice, or a blended scotch that makes the perfect gift for a whiskey drinker, we’ve got something for you on our list.

With help from our buyer’s guide, you should now be able to narrow our list down and pick out the best-blended scotch for you. With that in mind, you should now take some time to look at each blended scotch in more depth.