Ten Blended Whiskies that will return your Faith

Ok, Christmas is just a memory far away and New Year eve is still echoing on your head because of that nasty stuff you drank… but keep your hopes up. There is whisky beyond J&B or Johnnie Walker. You many know that I am really a man of single malt whisky, after so many blended disappointments…

But these are ten blended whiskies that really make believe!

1. Johnnie Walker Blue Label

“Very expensive this Johnnie Walker Blue Label but at least it is a good whisky. My favourite after Johnnie Walker Green Label”

90

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is their rarest blend.

Blue Label is created from the rarest and most expensive whiskies in the world, this iconoclastic scotch whisky has the authentic character and flavour of a traditional nineteenth century blend, just like those that John Walker and his son Alexander developed for their most valued customers.

At the heart of Blue Label is Royal Lochnagar, a rare malt distilled near Balmoral, the Queen's holiday home. Around 15 other mature and precious whiskies are added to balance Blue Label perfectly - 'a blend that cannot be beat', (Alexander Walker, 1888).

Don't get me wrong. It is a great whisky, but for that price you can buy better single malt whiskies.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, spices, fruits, cinnamon, vanilla.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. honey, smoke, spices, floral, citrus, cocoa.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, wood, spices.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Johnnie Walker's Blue Label with 90 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Drink Supermarket for £129.39
• Buy on Master of Malt for £129.73
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £130.00
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £142.94

2. Compass Box The General

“Oh. My. God. Lovely whisky. Imagine an old ( and I mean OLD! ) malt whisky blended aged in bourbon or refill casks with a hint of old ( OLD! I mean ) rye whiskey. All my thumbs up”

92

A 2013 release, Compass Box's The General is made from two parcels of blended scotch whisky, both of which were blended at a young age and then left to mature in the cask. At the time of bottling one was 33 years old and the other 40. Aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, this is soft but with an incredible complexity.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (92): more than average. honey, flowers, dust, wood, orange zest, vanilla, spices.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, flowers, wood, citrus, spices, liquorice, cloves, fruits. I swear I have taste something like this before.

Finish (92): longer than average. spices, fruits, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Compass Box The General Blended Scotch Whisky with 92 points over 100.

3. Suntory Hibiki 17 years old

“Mindblowing Japanese blended whisky! I wasn't ready for something so good. Ordering right now”

91

A fantastic Japanese blend, made with aged malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's three distilleries. Spicy and sophisticated, this is great for catching people out at blind tastings. Recently awarded a Gold 'Editor's Choice' award from Whisky Magazine and picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. honey, vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, spices, wax, fruity. Lots of Yamakazi single malt on this whisky.

Palate (91): powerful. honey, fruity, nuts, leather, citrus, pears, vanilla, cinnamon, wood. Delicious

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, nuts, citrus, peat.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Suntory Hibiki 17 year with 91 points over 100.

4. Chivas Regal 25 years old

“Maybe the best Chivas whisky I have ever had! No, I am serious... this stuff is really awesome”

91

The exclusive new Chivas Regal 25 pays homage to the first ever Chivas Regal blend.

This first Chivas whisky was also a 25 Year Old whisky, which was shipped from Aberdeen, Scotland to New York in 1909 to satisfy the sophisticated palate of American high society. It quickly became the most talked about tipple of distinguished Americans and developed into a global icon.

You are paying a hell more than the whisky is worth just to the beautiful bottle and the awesome box but who can say no to this?!

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. honey, citrus, floral, smoke, vanilla.

Palate (92): powerful, oily. honey, oranges, citrus, floral, vanilla, smoke, pepper.

Finish (90): longer than average. honey, peat, vanilla.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Chivas Regal 25 year with 91 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £185.00

5. Compass Box Delilah

“Compass Box has created a great whisky for a mythical bar. Awesome dram”

90

A special, beautifully labelled, small batch, limited edition blend from Compass Box, bottled in honour of the 20th birthday of legendary Chicago punk rock and whisk(e)y bar Delilah's. Created by Compass Box's John Glaser and Delilah's Mike Miller it's a blend that can be enjoyed by any kind of whisky lover, from the sipper to beer-and-a-shot drinker.

This dram has a gold-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, vanilla, spices, corn, spices, wood.

Palate (90): smooth, oily. honey, spices, wood, fruits, cinnamon, vanilla, citrus.

Finish (90): longer than average. .

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Compass Box Delilah's Blended Scotch Whisky Blended Scotch Whisky with 90 points over 100.

6. Dewar’s Signature

“It is as awesome as light and subtle. Really, I am not fan of blended whiskies but this one is incredible and loyal to the style”

90

75cl / 43% - A deluxe blend launched to compete with the likes of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This has proven extremely popular, and received 95 points from Jim Murray in the Whisky Bible. Picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (90): more than average. honey, toffee, vanilla, citrus, spices, candies. Respect! There is some very old grain whisky in this bottle.

Palate (90): light, smooth. toffee, citrus, vanilla, spices, wood, cloves, white chocolate.

Finish (90): longer than average. toffee, vanilla.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Dewar's Signature Blended Scotch Whisky with 90 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £218.50

7. Whyte & Mackay 22 years old

“Oh my! Oh my! This whisky is a fantastic stuff! And it is below £50?! Definitively I need to get one... or two”

90

70cl / 43% - An exciting new luxury W& M limited edition from Master Blender Richard Paterson. Expect length, complexity and the maestro's trademark silky balance. Bottled at 43% for a bit of extra oomph.

This dram has a tawny-like color.

Nose (88): more than average. honey, nuts, wood, floral, citrus, spices. Extremely complex.

Palate (91): powerful, oily. honey, wood, nuts, cocoa, citrus, spices.

Finish (91): longer than average. honey, cocoa, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Whyte& Mackay 22 Year Old - Supreme Blended Scotch Whisky with 90 points over 100.

8. Chivas Regal 21 years old

“An incredible whisky from Chivas brothers. Really complex and with a long good finish.”

92

This rich and complex scotch blended whisky from Chivas is aged for 21 years in oak casks before bottling in handcrafted porcelain flagons.

Royal Salute was launched on 2nd June 1953 as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day. The name of this exceptional Scotch Whisky comes from the 21 Gun Royal Salute, which is fired as a mark of respect for powerful dignitaries.

At her coronation, the crown of Queen Elizabeth II was set in rubies, sapphires and emeralds. These precious stones remain the inspiration for the colours of Royal Salute's handcrafted flagons, therefore bottle colour may vary.

One of the best Chivas whiskies I have ever tried. If you like this you should consider the overpriced Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (91): powerful. baked apples, honey, vanilla, floral, salt, citrus, a little smoke.

Palate (93): smooth, oily, powerful. fruity, spices, honey, smoke, vanilla, a little chocolate.

Finish (92): very long. fruity, wood, spices, honey.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Chivas Regal Royal Salute 21 year Sapphire Flagon with 92 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £95.26
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £104.78
• Buy on Whisky Online for £195.00

9. Great King Street

“A good blended whisky with lots of honey and malt. This is how blended whiskies should be.”

89

The first in Compass Box's Great King Street range, named for the address of their Edinburgh office, kicking off their second decade in business. The Artist's Blend is a high malt content blend designed to be easy drinking and appealing to a wide range of consumers, from non-whisky drinkers and cocktail lovers through to single malt fanatics, and is full of Compass Box innovation and flair.

This dram has a fino-like color.

Nose (90): strong. Malt, honey, citrus, peaches, vanilla, floral, wood, smoke.

Palate (88): light, oily. honey, malt, citrus, spices, wood, almonds, cocoa.

Finish (88): longer than average. floral, citrus, smoke, pepper.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Great King Street Artisan Blended Whisky with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £28.24
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £28.35

10. The Naked Grouse

“Quite interesting character for a blended whisky. As with most of the good stuff from The Famous Grouse, there is lot of sherry on this whisky. Thumbs up!”

89

A deluxe version from Famous Grouse, the malt component of Naked Grouse is based around Macallan & Highland Park matured in sherry casks.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (87): more than average. honey, citrus, fruits, wood, apples, cocoa.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. honey, nuts, cocoa, spices, citrus.

Finish (89): longer than average. honey, cocoa.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this The Naked Grouse with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Blended Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £26.48
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £27.17
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £27.95

Miguel says…

This is not the list of the ten best blended whiskies that I have had ( but it is quite close ) but really ten drams that make me believe whisky is still worth my time and yours. Is your favorite missing? Drop me a comment!

Share your thoughts! comments written.