A 22-year-old whisky has truly felt the passage of time. Maturing for over two decades in a cask has endowed it with depth and intricate flavours. Each taste reflects its long journey, showcasing the dedication and patience poured into its making.
Blended malt whisky, sometimes labelled "pure malt" or "vatted malt", occupies a special place among whiskies. It's a mix of single malts from various distilleries, setting it apart from blended whisky, which includes single grains, and single malt whisky that emerges from just one distillery. This 22-year-old blended malt whisky upholds the fundamental character of malt whilst offering a broad spectrum of tastes.
Tasked with the creation of these blends, master blenders meticulously choose single malts. Their selections are based on several criteria, such as age, place of origin, cask characteristics, and flavour distinctions. They endeavour to weave these different qualities into a harmonious 22-year-old blend. Even if these single malts hail from diverse places, they might come from identical or different whisky-making regions, enriching the final taste.
The flavours in blended malt whisky are diverse, ranging from the deep, smoky hints of Islay malts to the lighter, fruity notes of Speyside selections. This richness in flavour stems from the myriad of single malts available for blending. Crafting a 22-year-old blend that remains consistent in taste across batches demands expertise and a profound understanding of malts. The age shown on the bottle always represents the youngest whisky in the blend, as is standard. But blends might also introduce older whiskies, adding depth to their 22-year-old character.
In the marketplace, blended malts, especially those as mature as a 22-year-old whisky, are appreciated for their value. They encapsulate the complexities often linked with single malts but often come with a gentler price tag. This positions them as favourites for both seasoned whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike.