WHISKY GUIDE - ALL ABOUT
BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

What is Blended Scotch Whisky?

Our Blended Scotch Whisky is crafted by our Master Blender, Dr. Emma Walker. Blended Scotch Whisky is a mix of different whiskies, combined to create a consistent flavour and remarkable taste that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

Making Blended Scotch begins much the same way as any Single Grain Whisky.

Close-up of grains pouring into a container, showcasing the movement and texture of the seeds. The background is blurred, emphasizing the focus on the grains.

Crafted Blended Scotch Whisky starts with malting – adding hot water to the grain to convert the starch to sugars. Once it’s ready, the cereal is dried in a kiln – sometimes with peat, which adds smokiness. Then it’s time to ground the grain, extract those all-important sugars with hot water and get ready for fermentation. Adding yeast brews a kind of beer, which is distilled twice in a large copper container called a still. This intensifies the flavour of the Blended Scotch Whisky.Crafted Blended Scotch Whisky starts with malting – adding hot water to the grain to convert the starch to sugars. Once it’s ready, the cereal is dried in a kiln – sometimes with peat, which adds smokiness. Then it’s time to ground the grain, extract those all-important sugars with hot water and get ready for fermentation. Adding yeast brews a kind of beer, which is distilled twice in a large copper container called a still. This intensifies the flavour of the Blended Scotch Whisky.

Stacked wooden barrels against a dark brick wall, featuring labels such as Cameronbridge and Port Dundas from John Walker & Sons.

It’s then transferred to oak casks to mature for the minimum three years. These casks play a huge role in the whisky’s flavour. They’ve usually already held bourbon, sometimes sherry or even wine or beer. Once cleaned, the barrels are toasted, which opens up the wood fibres to add flavour and colour to the Blended Scotch Whisky.

BLENDED

WHISKIES HAVE A

UNIQUE BREADTH

OF SMOOTH

FLAVOURS

TO EXPLORE

A person with short hair stands looking at a stack of wooden barrels, each weathered and marked. The barrels are arranged in rows, creating a pattern. The person is wearing a dark sweater and appears thoughtful while observing the barrels.

So, what is the difference between Single Malt Whisky and Blended Scotch Whisky? Blends combine different types of whisky to produce a Scotch with a wider range of flavours that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. When making a Single Malt Whisky, the goal is to create something typical of that single distillery’s style. Comparing the two different kinds doesn’t really make sense – they’re not meant to be the same. It’s down to whichever flavours and style you prefer. After all, to be called Scotch, whiskies must be matured in Scotland. So, no matter if they’re blended or a single malt, there are strict standards in place for both.

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BLENDING WHISKY

TAKES PASSION,

CREATIVITY AND

VISION.

A person with short hair carefully pours liquid from a round glass vessel into a smaller container, focusing intently on the task in a warmly lit setting.

Something our small team of expert blenders have in abundance. They’re led by Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender, Dr. Emma Walker, who can call upon our unrivalled stocks of 10 million casks of Single Grain and Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. She knows the character of each one – from the ingredients used, to the treatment of the casks – and also how they react when combined. But creating an exceptional blend is more than just a comprehensive knowledge. It’s an art form.

DR EMMA WALKER with short hair holds a drink while standing at a counter. They are wearing a blue patterned top. Behind them is a colourful mural and a statue of a figure with a cane, along with modern hanging lights.

Our whisky blenders build structure, form and meaning into every sip. And more than that, they reproduce that same quality and flavour time and time again, so the standard of our whisky never changes. With one eye on the past and the other on the future, our team continues to create the much loved whiskies of today, while continually exploring, testing and formulating new varieties.

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