One category of Scotch is blended whisky, which is made by combining different types of whisky from various distilleries. However, there are two distinct types of blended whisky: blended malt Scotch whisky and blended Scotch whisky.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between the two, and what sets them apart.
BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Blended malt Scotch whisky is a blend of only single malt Scotch whiskies from different distilleries. This means that no single grain Scotch whisky is included in the blend.
The different single malt whiskies are matured in oak casks for a minimum of three years or desired period of time in Scotland, giving them distinct flavours and aromas.
After maturation, the master blender combines whiskies from various distilleries to produce the desired taste of blended malt Scotch whisky.
Blended malt Scotch whiskies are known for their rich and varied flavours, which can include notes of vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, spice, chocolate, sherry sweetness, and peat smoke, among others.
When mentioning the age statement of blending whisky*, the age mentioned in the bottle refers to the age of the youngest whisky used in the blend. For example, if a blended malt Scotch whisky is labelled “15 years old,” it means that the youngest whisky in the blend is 15 years old.
Blended Scotch Whisky
Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of both single malt Scotch whiskies and single grain Scotch whiskies from different distilleries.
The different types of single malt Scotch whisky, which is made from only malted marley, and various single grain Scotch whiskies, that are made from a mix of grains such as malted barley, wheat, corn, and rye, are combined together to produce a blended Scotch whisky.
Blended Scotch whiskies are known for their complex and balanced flavours, which can include notes of toffee, clove, oak, vanilla, dried fruit, spice, caramel, and peat, among others.
Blended Scotch whisky is produced on a much larger scale than blended malt Scotch whisky, comprising about 68% of the global export** (as of 2017) in blended categories.
The age statement on a bottle of blended Scotch whisky refers to the youngest whisky used in the blend, just like blended malt Scotch whisky.
