Question re Irish Blend History

[Ihasadram]

I’m curious why the popular Irish whiskeys, like Jameson and Bushmills, are blends of separately mashed, distilled, and aged malt and grain whiskeys. Maybe it’s just me, but I greatly prefer malt over grain whiskeys, and I can’t understand why grain whiskeys would be added to a malt whiskey unless there’s some compelling reason to do so. Any insights?

[Kray]

Grain whisky, be it Scotch, Irish or what ever whisky is cheaper and faster to produce and in general a blended whisky contains around 60% grain whisky. Also sweet young grain whisky when added to young malt whisky can make it more palatable and acceptable to the majority of palates. Most whisky drinkers would say that single malt and single pot still whiskey is more interesting and more enjoyable than blended whisky but as I said in general they take longer and cost more to produce.

[DanO]

Many years ago the addition of grain whisky to young immature malt whisky would have made it more drinkable, today though the main reason will be profit.

[Ihasadram]

That makes sense as a way to sweeten the whiskey. As much as I love single malts, I do prefer sherry bombs. So I can understand adding grain whisky as an alternative way to sweeten it. Thanks for the insights.