Whisky Forum - Good smooth blends?

gambler · Double Malt Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

So, after diving into the world of Single Malts, I discovered a friend likes blended whisky - specifically Johnnie Walker - and really only wants to drink it on ice (he's not really patient or too interested in complexity, just likes smooth whisky).

I'd like to have some options on hand for him when he visits - as I'd rather not give him Highland Park 12 in a tumbler with ice (though I did that last time).

Right now, I have Bushmill's Black Bush.

I've also been interested in the Compass Box blends, specifically Hedonism, The Spice Tree, and Orangerie (yes, I know, not a whisky by the definition). However, these all seem from the reviews to have complexity on the order of some single malts so I'm not sure they would be good tumbler with ice whiskies. I do however have hopes of expanding his interests to something more challenging.

Another option would be B-N-J. Or should I just get a Johnnie Walker Red/Black and give him what he's used to?

I will note that I also have an interest in very smooth (as in as little alcohol burn as possible) whisky for those nights when I'm too tired from work to really appreciate a more complex whisky as it should.

Innes · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject:

Blends which i enjoy which are priced for everyday drinking are BNJ, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Teachers, Stewarts Cream of the Barley, William Grants Family Reserve and Ballantines 12.

Peated blends i enjoy are Black Bottle and i recently tried for the first time Johnnie Walker Double Black which i thought was very good.

There are some excellent premium blends but they are in a different price range.

Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1405

I havent had Stewarts Cream of the Barley for years, i used to quite enjoy it. You used to see it on the shelves in the supermarket but i cant remember the last time i saw it.

The Compass Box whiskies are very good, the Hedonism is a great vatted grain , The Spice Tree is superb. The Orangerie is delicious, not quite a whisky but not quite a liqueur.

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1664

Bailie Nicol Jarvie is an excellent blend for you money, Cutty Sark 12 year old is a lovely smooth honeyed, toffeed (is that a real word) blend. Cheap everyday drinking whisky and 2 of my favourite blends are Teachers and William Grants Family Reseve.

If you have a Spar shop near you the Spar Finest Reserve is excellent, i was given a couple of drams of this when visiting a friend and and went out and bought myself a bottle

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1212

Bushmill's Black Bush is a decent smooth Irish blend, like many other blends it has had a bit too much caramel colouring influence but still a decent blend for the money. How about Tullamore Dew Irish blended whisky with it smooth Irish pot still influence, the standard bottling is good and i have heard that the Tullamore Dew 12 year old is very good, i havent had the chance to try it myself yet.

William · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

Andy i thought the Tullamore Dew 12 was an excellent blend, loads of pot still influence and some sherry cask influence and a bit of spice make it a very drinkable blend. It was exclusive to travel retail until the end of last year when its new owners William Grants released it in the UK. My tasting note and a bit more about it here:
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/tullamoredew12yearold.htm
_________________
There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

gambler · Double Malt Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

Thanks for all the responses! I did try the Bushmill's Black Bush, and like it - but as the first 'blend' that I've really paid attention to when drinking it, can't compare it to anything.

I'll probably do a B-N-J plus one of the Compass Box offerings soon and maybe track down some of the others on the list below! Too many whiskies... too little money and time.

hendo · New Member Joined: 24 Mar 2012 Posts: 2

i just cant go past black bottle,goes down nice n smooth Top Malt

_________________
jist drink it

gambler · Double Malt Member Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

Will look into that one. I did get a Bailie Nicol Jarvie and like it a lot.

Quaich1 · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject:

Just tried The Famous Grouse for the very first and low and behold I like it. I particularly liked the butterscotch wave upon adding a few drops of water. It was unexpected but welcomed. The neat dram was more intense on the palate but I liked the salt and spice with a hint of warm butter.

andrew f · New Member Joined: 26 May 2012 Posts: 2

For smoothness you could definitely try Tesco's 12 year old Special Reserve. I bought two bottles of it last year whilst it was on offer (it's currently Â£16.50) - I find it very smooth and tasty. Whyte and Mackay The Thirteen stands head and shoulders above the standard bottling and I find it quite smooth - it's Â£15.50 at Asda just now. These are both rewarding blends but if I'd to choose between them I'd go for the Tesco's offering.

Everyday blends for me would be Black Bottle (I find batches are very inconsistent), Teachers and BNJ - all of which I very much enjoy but wouldn't necessarily describe as smooth.