An umpteenth trio of blends


March 18, 2024

An umpteenth trio of blends

Either blended Scotch or blended malt (which are Scotch too). No further literature needed, I would suppose (literature, S.?) Let's perhaps set the tone with an oldie…

Late 1970s magazine ad for Ballantine's 30 yo. Not too sure the regular NAS and the usually stunning 30 were indeed close in any ways.

George Ballantine & Son 30 yo (43%, OB, blend, Spirit SpA, Italy, 900 bottles, bottled 1974)

Given that almost all distilleries were closed during WWII, this should be a blend of pre-war distillates. Remember these old Ballantines used to be part of the best blends money could buy. Colour: gold with an orange tinge. Nose: an amazing, both soft and firm combination of camphor, tangerine, coal smoke and eucalyptus syrup at first, then we find more dried fruits, moist dried dates, apricots, pears… In summary, the perfect regimen for a mountaineer on the ascent. Take Ben Nevis, for instance (though one needn't be a seasoned climber for that, weather permitting). Mouth: a lot of power, with a medley of fermented fruits (pear, melon, banana), followed by a variety of smoky notes. Smoked fish but also dried and smoked beef. Dried fruits, especially figs and dates, come back like a chorus. Finish: akin to a very good Riesling with hints of salinity and honey in the aftertaste. Comments: splendid, hardly a hint of fatigue.
SGP:553 - 90 points.

Perhaps a new old one by the Sponge (who's driving a Macallan-Gold Bentley Continental these days, I've heard)…

Blended Scotch Whisky 46 yo 1969/2015-2024 (46.6%, Whisky Sponge, Decadent Drinks, blended Scotch, 208 bottles)

A mysterious old Highlands-fuelled blend bottled at natural cask strength a few years back and just released this year. Colour: gold. Nose: believe me or not, this is exactly like a South African chenin blanc I tried only two days ago, Jacaranda Salt from Wellington, a bit heavy on fresh oak but otherwise excellent. Crushed bananas, touch of coconut, vanilla cake, a little encaustic and pure beeswax, toffee apples, a tiny feeling of old bourbon – from some grain, I suppose – a spoonful of cappuccino… In short, it's rather a gentle old blend, with an awesome nose. Whiffs of rose petals and perhaps a little tobacco smoke coming out after two minutes. Something oriental, nargileh smoke… Mouth: quality old bourbon indeed, this is funny. More coconut and vanilla, plus cedarwood and these toffee apples. Also earl grey and, once again believe me or not, quite some rooibos tea. Finish: medium, with a few more earthy touches and a little ginger tonic. Comments: they should pour this one at Starbucks. Oh and it was more grain-driven than Highlands-fuelled, my mistake.
SGP:641 - 90 points.

Wemyss Malts 25 yo 'A Quarter Passed' (53.6%, Wemyss, blended malt, bourbon barrels, 1500 bottles, 2024)

Colour: pale gold. Nose: a very fresh fruity one, rather on apples and greengages, lemon curd, lemon tarte, meringue, vanilla… With water: archetypical fresh natural malt whisky, with those fruits, some grist, porridge, ale and rather a little less vanilla now, which is good. Gets then a tad tropical (papayas). Mouth (neat): really joyful and fruitful. You would believe someone's blended green apple juice, kiwi juice and rhubarb juice, then added just a dash of ground pepper, a glass of sauvignon blanc, a little vanilla sugar, and has then shaken everything together for a good two minutes. But you mustn't drink it with a straw, right. With water: a little greener, green tea, green apples, peelings and leaves… Finish: medium, clean, fresh, fruity. Also ginger and cinnamon, as expected. Comments: malt whisky as Nature intended, shall we say. The older age doesn't really feel, but I find it pretty perfect and, well, archetypical.
SGP:551 - 87 points.

(Merci, Coldorak)

Check the index of all blends we've tasted so far