Taking a sip from a 36-year-old whisky is like unlocking history in a bottle. Over three and a half decades, this spirit has matured, each day adding to its character. Every taste offers a glimpse into its long journey, reflecting the dedication and skill involved in its creation.
Blended malt whisky is special. It's a combination of single malts from several distilleries. This is different from blended whisky, which mixes single malts and single grains, and from single malt whisky, which is produced at one distillery. Blended malt whisky showcases the true essence of malt whisky, bringing a wide variety of flavours to the table.
The crafting of blended malt whisky is no small feat. Expert blenders are at the heart of this process. They select single malts based on attributes such as age, origin region, the type of cask, and distinct flavours. Their goal? To create a harmonious blend that showcases the best of each malt. Interestingly, while these malts might come from different places, they could hail from similar or diverse whisky regions, adding a unique touch to the final blend.
When it comes to flavours, blended malt whiskies don't disappoint. They range from the bold, peaty notes found in Islay malts to the light and fruity undertones of Speyside malts. The variety of single malts in the blend is what gives it such a wide flavour profile. Keeping the flavour consistent across batches is a challenge, requiring both a refined palate and deep knowledge of malt whiskies.
Blended malt whiskies label the age of the youngest spirit in the blend, following industry norms. But often, older whiskies are added, enriching the taste further. These whiskies, with their focus on malt, usually offer a richer flavour compared to other blends. In shops, they stand out for their value, providing the depth of single malts at a more pocket-friendly price, appealing to both long-time whisky lovers and newcomers.