Black Bottle whisky is a Scottish whisky that has been around since 1879. It is a blended whisky, made with a mix of different malt and grain whiskies. Black Bottle is known for its smoky flavour, which comes from the use of Islay malt whisky in the blend.
Black Bottle Blended Scotch whisky was relaunched in 2013, and now features a balanced mix of fruitiness and spice alongside the peaty Islay notes that the brand has been known for. This change in direction is a return to Black Bottle's past, as it is said to have been inspired by what the whisky was like when it was made all the way back in 1879. This has also inspired the new old-style black glass bottle, which gave Black Bottle whisky its name.
Black Bottle previously had a high percentage of peated Islay whisky featured in the blend. With this relaunched bottling, they're aiming for a blend and flavour reminiscent of Black Bottle whisky from when it was first made in 1879, which means the smokiness is balanced with fruitier notes.
Polished oak and porridge with a sprinkle of brown sugar, with cut grass and very subtle smoke in support.
Candied ginger and cigar box, with charred herbs, chocolate spread on brown bread and a drizzle of golden syrup.
Oak spice and honey.
For a blend and a cheap one at that this really is the best value blend that I've had. Don't expect the same level of peaty intensity as the Islay single malts that it contains. What you will get is a pleasant whiff of peat and a lovely finish redolent of said single malts. This is a very well made blend and probably my go-to blended whisky from now on. A very pleasant surprise.
I always heard this was a great bargain blend but never tried it. I recently bought some (on offer) and then looked up reviews, and was sad to see so many reviews saying it had gone way downhill. I was prepared to be disappointed, but happily I was not disappointed at all. This is an most enjoyable dram. Young and brash for sure, but big enough smoke, peat and iodine flavors to remind me of the Islay superstars I love (but alas cannot afford to drink daily). Perhaps it WAS better before, but it is still pretty good. At least head and shoulders over the usual grants/whyte-mackay/grouse stuff.
I gave this a good reviews at first. Had had one glass too many. I take it back- it's disappointing compared to the old. A fair bit above average with some character, but they've destroyed what was perhaps the best cheaper blend available. Like others said- it's basically a mixer now. Don't buy it unless they go back to smoky BB.
Once I moved onto BB to save wasting Laphroaig, having drunk less responsibly than anyone should- I found that adding 2 or 3 drips of Laphroaig to a measure of BB made it delicious. Possibly I'd reached the stage where any whisky tastes great though.
Was missing then reappeared- Wondered how my palate had changed in its absence and delighted to see it- so bought a bottle. Loved the nose- Not as peaty as before- but greater complexity than I remembered- and beats most affordable blends in that regard- Nice bursts of flavours- Develops a bit more syrupy on the palate than I would like- and barely any smoke. Longer finish than most of the familiar affordable malts- so that's a bargain- a dry, liquorice finish transforming to barley sugar. Commendable for that. There's stuff actually happening here; enough to make me curious to search out the notes. It is a shame to lose the old one though- Hope I get a chance to try old and new in alternate sips. I enjoyed it- it's probably the best in its price range. Can't remember if previous bottling was better. Think it was less complex but the smoke was quite a special touch. New bottling- I love the punch of the raw young grain in the blend. I think they've figured how to use it to add to the flavour events, rather than try to hide it. I bought it so I wouldn't waste my Laphroaig- the best cheap blend I could find for the job of moving onto cheaper whisky once you've passed the point of maximum sensitivity of taste-buds.
