Whisky Forum - Best blends up to Â£20 available in UK supermarkets?

JamesBeaumont80 · New Member Joined: 24 Jan 2019 Posts: 4

I'm after something that can be drunk neat with ice or mixed with canada dry. Not a huge smoke or peat fan but like the general style Highland single malts

Didn't enjoy Bell's or Johnny W Black that much previously, the latter feeling quite harsh in the mouth to me

Am considering Whyte & Mackay, Ballantine's or Chivas for my next purchase.

Can any of you recommend a really nice, rounded, versatile blend that is widely available and punches a little bit above it's weight please?

lincoln imp · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:40 pm Post subject:

This is a blended malt but the Shackleton in the blue box that is usually Â£30 is on offer sometimes for a s low as Â£20 and is an easy sipper with a nice profile.

Chivas Regal 12 year is still worth a punt and I have heard though I have not tried it myself the Highland Black 8 year from Aldi is pretty decent and well worth the money.
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Hugo · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Jun 2018 Posts: 299

Ballantine's Finest and Chivas Regal 12 are both decent blends for the price when found on offer and are a step up in quality from the standard Bells, Whyte & Mackay blends. There are a few blended malts around these days such as the Shackleton and Monkey Shoulder which can often be found around Â£20

blackcipher · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:50 pm Post subject:

Ballantines produce some of my favourite blends. The finest is good for the price point you are looking at

MattS · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Apr 2018 Posts: 529

I too would mention Aldi's Highland Black at about Â£13.50 but like others say there are often blended malts available for under Â£20 such as Naked Grouse. Aldi themselves have a blended malt for about Â£15 but also their three malts are actually also under Â£20 as are many supermarkets own label. Then there are even named malts that often meet that price bracket including Glen Moray. Also worth mentioning the pair of Aerstones often Â£20.

ralfy legend · Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 11:32 am Post subject:

The aerstones are hard to beat for Â£20, I really enjoyed them.

Drame Blanche · Double Malt Member Joined: 18 Aug 2018 Posts: 156

To my palate, Compass Box Great King Street - Artist's Blend is light-years better than any other blend in that price range, as well as then many blends at the price range above (Â£50-60 or so). It costs Â£26.

Peloquin · Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 6:49 am Post subject:

Timp · Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 6:31 pm Post subject:

MattS · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Apr 2018 Posts: 529

"ralfy review 795 - the cheapest bottle I have ever reviewed !"

https://youtu.be/9rnrYkGZmWI

Ralfy's quite right about this Lidl stuff. If you're on a budget and want to make the good stuff go further this cheap blend works with a little drop of extra malt added.

Another Ralfy option is this from Aldi, ralfy review 721 - Highland Black 8yo Blended Scotch
https://youtu.be/jMnV7zVSo3o

STUDOGG37 · Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:52 pm Post subject:

I recommend the Berry Brothers & Rudd Sherry cask blend, worth going slightly over budget, Amazon did have it on offer at around Â£25. Cracking dram for the price.
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Kilchosam · Single Malt Member Joined: 20 Nov 2019 Posts: 22

MattS · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Apr 2018 Posts: 529

Another option is the Lidl Abrachan blended malt 42% bourbon, sherry and port cask. Â£17.49
https://youtu.be/EM0AjSYWw_U