Single Malt & Blended Whiskies

by Jorge Irribarren*

The most famous brands of whiskies are always the Blended category. In fact, the 3 most sold whiskies in the world are: JW Red, Ballantine's Finest and Grant's Family Reserve. The 3 of them are blended whiskies.

By the way, the most sold whisky Single Malt is Glenfiddich 12, but in quantity is to far from the blended ones.

Normally the Single Malt is more expensive than the Blended, because of the tradition, the exclusivity and the process. Talking about the process is important to say that making a blended whisky is cheapest than a Single Malt.

But what exactly is the difference between both?
A Single Malt is the traditional way to make whisky in Scotland. Is allowed only to use malted barley, water and yeast for the fermentation process. The distillation process is always in to steps (two distillations) using copper pot still (Swam neck-Alambiq) where is easy to separate the central part (middle cut) of the distillation, taking away the first one (foreshot) and the end (faints), which are not good for a single malt whisky. The process since the fermentation till the aging in oak barrels must be in the same distillery. There is normally a blend of different barrels and years between them and with water before bottling, but only with the malt whiskies of the same distillery. Then, the brand of the whisky will be the same of the distillery name. 
A Blended whisky is a mix of a malt whisky with a grain whisky. Normaly is also a mix of different malt whiskies form different distilleries with a grain whisky. The grain whisky is the real secret for make the process cheapest, because is made in a Column distillation process. More industrial, more cheap, but also, more easy to drink because normally is not that deep and intense in flavors. So, a blended whisky Express the different characteristics of each whisky region of Scotland and is normally lighter than a single malt, but express more aromas than a single malt.

The other point is that can use malt whisky form every where in Scotland. For that reason, the brand must be a commercial brand totally different of the name of the distillery. There is not a Grant's, or a Chivas or a Johnnie Walker distillery. They are just brands of whiskies made of many other whiskies that come form different distilleries.

So, which is better?

The answer is simple: Up to your palate, the moment and your pocket!
It is false that one is better than the other. They are different, for different moments and for different customers.

William Grant & Sons Ltd. produce both:

• Glenffidich Single Malt:
12, 15, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, Snow Phoenix, Rich Oak, Cask of Dreams, 1937, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978 and the Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve of 55 years (only 11 bottles), in the commemoration of Janet Sheed Roberts death, William Grant granddaughter, before living 110 years in Scotland. She died in April 2012.

• The Balvenie Single Malt:
Signature 12, Double Wood 12, Single Barrel 15, Port Wood 21, and Thirty 30.

• Grant's Scotch Whisky Blended: Family Reserve, 12, 18, 25, Distillery Edition, Sherry Cask and Ale Cask.

*Alcoholic Beverage, Public Relations and Brand Developer Consultant