The finalists for Best in Category, Blended Scotch Whisky
A total of six blended whisky expressions made the final judging “Sweeps” rounds at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Three of these whiskies were blended Scotch whiskies and three were blended single malts. An additional three blended Scotch whisky expressions scored Double Gold medals.
Founded in 2000, the SFWSC is the oldest competition in North America and the largest spirits judging in the world. A total of 70 judges from around the world evaluated approximately 5,000 spirits over two weeks in April 2022.
The competition is organized by the Tasting Alliance, an organization founded by Anthony Dias Blue, and in addition to the SFWSC includes spirit competitions in New York and Singapore and wine competitions in San Francisco and New York.
Johnnie Walker Green Label, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 40% ABV, 750 ml was one of three finalists in the Blended Scotch Malt Whisky category. Blended malts are a blend of single malt whiskies drawn from multiple distilleries. Unlike blended Scotch whisky, they do not include any grain whisky in the blend.
The Johnnie Walker Green Label expression is part of the Johnnie Walker range. At one point this expression was discontinued by Diageo in all markets, except for Singapore where it was particularly popular. The expression was resurrected several years ago as a blend of various malts as part of Diageo’s efforts to premiumize the Johnnie Walker range.
The expression is slightly earthy/peaty with pronounced cereal notes. It’s sweet on the palate with intense dried fruit and licorice notes. The finish is long and sweet with a lingering peppery finish.
The second finalist in the Blended Malt category was Blackhound, Highland Single Malt Whisky, NAS, 40% ABV, 700 ml. Blackhound is a single malt blend that is bottled for James Busby Fine Wines and Spirits and is intended for the Australian market.
The source of the whisky isn’t disclosed but in Australia, it's widely believed to be Loch Lomond. The whisky isn’t available in the US, although the odd bottle just shows up on occasion. You can also order it directly from one of the Australian internet vendors.
The whisky shows hints of vanilla and stone fruit on the nose. On the palate, it’s creamy and smooth with stone and tropical fruit notes and hints of licorice. The finish is long and fruity.
The last finalist in the Blended Malt category is Naked Malt, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, NAS, 40% ABV, 750 ml. The expression is owned by Edrington, home of such storied single malts as The Macallan and Highland Park. It was previously part of the Famous Grouse range where it was branded as “Naked Grouse.”
The identity of the single malts in the blend is not disclosed but the company does note that the whisky is “finished” for approximately six months in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks. Would you expect anything less from the owner of The Macallan?
No, contrary to what you might have heard, Naked Malt is not The Macallan under another name. It is a pretty good whisky though and at an average retail price of $30/750 ml bottle an excellent value.
The whisky exhibits dried stone fruit notes on the nose and palate. It’s sweet on the palate, offering up intense dried fruit notes of golden raisin and fig as well as cinnamon spice. The finish is long, and sweet, with pronounced dried fruit notes and a touch of pepperiness.
Three whisky expressions are vying for top honors in Best of Class Blended Scotch Whisky.
Dewars, Double Double, Blended Scotch Whisky, 32 YO, 40% ABV, 375 ml is a 32 YO blended Scotch whisky that is finished in casks that previously held Pedro Ximénez (PX) Sherry. PX is a type of sherry that is made from partially rasinated grapes. It’s sweet and viscous and imparts flavors of raisin, fig, date and prune to whiskies finished or matured in casks that previously held it.
The whisky has distinctive dried fruit notes on the nose, along with some hints of caramel. It’s smooth and creamy on the palate, with dried fruit and hints of licorice. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of dark dried fruit.
The Clansmen, Blended Scotch Whisky, NAS, 40% ABV, 750 ml is a blended Scotch whisky drawn from Highland single malts. The whisky is produced by Loch Lomond at its distillery in Dunbartonshire, not far from Glasgow.
The whisky is herbal and fruity on the nose with hits of caramel. It’s sweet on the palate with hints of tropical fruit. The finish is long, sweet and fruity.
The final contender for Best of Class Blended Scotch Whisky is Midnight Peat, NAS, 40% ABV, 7o0 ml. The whisky is produced at the Bladnoch distillers and represents a collaboration between Master Distiller Nick Savage and various Australian-based mixologists.
Savage was previously the Master Distiller at The Macallan before he left to join Bladnoch in 2019. This whisky is not available in the US, although it crops up from time to time.
The whisky is fruity on the nose with hints of smoke and caramel. On the palate, it's fruity and creamy with a custard-like quality and caramel-apple notes. The finish is long, fruity and sweet with lingering caramel apple notes and pepperiness.
See also the Double Gold medal winners: Old Parr 12 YO, another outstanding value in blended Scotch whisky, as well as Flor and Barrowman’s.
This year’s SFWSC judging showcased some outstanding blended Scotch whiskies. They offer both outstanding quality and exceptional value.
Sláinte
