Blend (whiskey)

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Blended scotch whiskey

A blend is a mixture, also called a blend , of different (usually 15 to 40) whiskeys . Grain whiskey (continuously distilled whiskey made from different types of grain) is often used as the basis for a blend, and sometimes up to 50 other whiskeys are mixed in. In this way, the master blender achieves a constant taste and quality. After mixing ( blending , blending ) of the blend will take some time in a barrel mounted so that the individual can connect whiskey taste. A blend should always be stored in the same barrels so that it takes over the aroma slowly. In Scotland the following types of blends are distinguished:

  • Blended malts (also pure malts ) are whiskeys that are only blended from different single malt whiskeys from different distilleries (previously also called vatted malt ). A well-known blended malt is Johnnie Walker Green Label.
  • Blended grains are whiskeys that are only blended from grain whiskey (continuously distilled grain brandy, while malt whiskey is only made from malted barley) from different distilleries, but to which, in contrast to blended whiskeys, no single malt whiskey has been added (also Vatted Grain). The only representative currently is the Hedonism from Compass Box.
  • Blended Scotchs are whiskeys in which grain whiskey is blended with one or more single malt whiskeys. Prominent representatives of this variety are Johnnie Walker Red Label , J&B and Ballantine's .

The invention of whiskey blending will be Andrew Usher Sr. (1782-1855) and Andrew Usher jun. (1826–1898) attributed. In 1853, Andrew Usher sen. his first blend ("Old Vatted Glenlivet ") from individual single malt whiskeys. Andrew Usher Jr. added grain whiskey from 1856, the "Usher's Green Stripe" created in Edinburgh is still available today.

The manufacturer of a blend, the blender , masters, among other things, the production of a consistent blend with variable ingredients.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Gilbert Delos: Les Whiskeys du Monde. Translation from French: Karin-Jutta Hofmann: Whiskey from all over the world. Karl Müller, Erlangen 1998, ISBN 3-86070-442-7 , p. 158 f. ( Blending ).
  2. ^ Gilbert Delos: Whiskey from all over the world. 1998, p. 107 ( Usher’s ).
  3. ↑ The Art of Whiskyblending (in English), accessed on April 8, 2017
  4. ^ Gilbert Delos: Whiskey from all over the world. 1998, p. 159.