One of the most common myths in the liquor world is that single malt Scotch is of a higher quality than blended Scotch. This is totally spurious and false. The designations “single malt” and “blended” are simply alternative ways of expressing the very same product.
Blended Scotch was originally made around 1860 after the arrival of column stills in 1830 led straight to the genesis of un-malted grain whisky (otherwise known as “grain”). The smooth and mild mannered sides of the grain helped to scale back the the more assertive characteristics of the malt whisky. The resulting blended whisky proved to be subdued and plenty more appealing to foreign purchasers, especially the English, who took to Scotch during the 1870s after phylloxera affected the supply of Cognac and Port – two mainstays of UK culture.
In reality, if it wasn’t for blended whisky there would be far less operational distilleries in Scotland. Blended Scotch utilises a mix of numerous different malt whiskies in combination with grain in order to create the blender’s desired flavour profile. While the individual percentages of each whisky may be small, they all convey their own little inflection on the mix.
This means that a master blender will have to purchase or produce an enormous amount of single malts to maintain the consistency of their blend. When a mix loses its consistency, it also loses its market appeal. A distillery’s single malt may get all of the glory, but eventually blends pay the bills.
Just remember this the next time you assert that blended Scotch is inferior to single malt Scotch, because in truth it is just a different expression of the very same product. If it was not for blended whiskies, like Dewars and Johnnie Walker, numerous single malts wouldn’t be in production today. Additionally, your favourite distillery might not even exist if blended Scotch whiskey never came along.
Colonial Spirits is the premier liquor store in Greater Boston! In business for over fourty years, we carry an extraordinary selection of ale, wine, and spirits. Also we are well-stocked with bubbly, cigars, and beer kegs.
Colonial Spirits would like to extend an invitation to you to stop by our Concord liquor store for one of our many liquor tastings. If you can not stop by the physical store, then please consider our liquor delivery business. Colonial Spirits Delivers anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts!
Tags: blended scotch, blended whisky, liquor delivery, single malt scotch