Blended scotch whisky doesn’t all the time get the respect it deserves. Certain, single malts may carry extra attract for connoisseurs. However, the fact is that blended scotch whisky is the spine on which the whisky business was constructed. Even in a world of accelerating costs and luxurious, these blended scotches are all the time there, all the time dependable, and all the time inexpensive.
Every of the expressions featured right here took dwelling a Gold medal within the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Competitors. Proof that you just don’t want to interrupt the financial institution to drink good whisky. Whether or not completed in sherry casks, aged in bourbon barrels, or constructed round smoky malts, they characterize a large spectrum of types, all blended with care and consistency.
They could not blow you away, however every has been acknowledged for its high quality. Collectively, they spotlight why blended scotch whisky nonetheless deserves its place on the worldwide stage. On this article, we’ll stroll whisky lovers by way of every Gold medal-winning mix—what it’s, the way it was made, and the story behind the model.
MacNair’s Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Yr Outdated
Tasting Notes: Toffee brittle, chocolate-covered raisins, caramelized brown sugar, grated ginger, cigar field, toasted cinnamon sticks, espresso, mocha, grilled honeycomb, smoked spices, butterscotch, orange peel
BUY NOW: $75
MacNair’s Lum Reek 10 Yr Outdated is a blended malt combining peated Islay and unpeated Speyside single malts, with a beneficiant serving to of GlenAllachie at its core. After ten years of maturation, it’s re-racked into oloroso sherry casks, purple wine barriques, and virgin oak for added depth.
The result’s a smoky-sweet dram with notes of toffee, darkish chocolate, orange peel, and warming peat. Bottled at 48% ABV with no chill filtration or added colour, it delivers severe character.
Initially based within the nineteenth century, MacNair’s was revived in 2018 by GlenAllachie’s Billy Walker. The “Lum Reek” identify comes from a conventional Scottish toast which means “lengthy could your chimney smoke.”
With GlenAllachie’s 12 Yr Outdated lately named World’s Finest Single Malt, it’s no shock this mix, sharing the identical DNA, earned a Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem.
Ballantine’s 10 Yr Outdated
Tasting Notes: Candy honey, oak, vanilla, floral, creamy oak
BUY NOW: N/A
Ballantine’s 10 Yr Outdated is a clean, Speyside-forward mix that showcases the model’s traditional honeyed type with added maturity. Constructed from a collection of single malts and grain whiskies aged not less than ten years (primarily from Glenburgie and Miltonduff), it’s matured in American oak barrels that convey out gentle notes of vanilla, orchard fruits, and mild spice.
Launched as a step up from Ballantine’s Most interesting, this expression is crafted to supply extra depth with out straying from the easy-drinking profile that has made Ballantine’s a world staple. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and constructed for accessibility, whether or not neat or in a highball.
Ballantine’s dates again to 1827 and is now one of many best-selling scotch manufacturers on this planet, identified for its consistency and large worldwide attain. Its mixing home, now below Chivas Brothers, continues to provide among the most approachable scotch whiskies available on the market.
Its Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem confirms that on a regular basis blends can nonetheless ship standout high quality.
Ballantine’s 7 Yr Outdated American Barrel
Tasting Notes: Toffee apples, honey, vanilla, floral, ripe pear, creamy caramel
BUY NOW: £27.99
Ballantine’s 7 Yr Outdated American Barrel is a contemporary tackle a traditional mix, designed to enchantment to each scotch and bourbon drinkers. Aged for no less than seven years, the whisky is completed in American bourbon barrels, which lend it creamy notes of vanilla, toffee, and candy purple apple.
The mix options Ballantine’s signature malts (once more, from Glenburgie and Miltonduff) alongside grain whiskies which have had time to mellow. The bourbon cask affect is obvious however properly built-in, softening the whisky with out overpowering it.
First launched in 2020, this expression nods to founder George Ballantine’s early use of seven-year-old whiskies within the nineteenth century. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and geared toward drinkers on the lookout for a sweeter, extra rounded introduction to scotch.
Its Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem exhibits that Ballantine’s can nonetheless innovate whereas staying true to its home type.
Buchanan’s De Luxe 12 Yr Outdated
Tasting Notes: Orange, chocolate, fruit
BUY NOW: $24
Buchanan’s De Luxe 12 Yr Outdated is a long-standing mix identified for its clean, fruity profile and delicate contact of smoke. All elements within the mix have been aged for not less than twelve years, with a concentrate on gentle Highland and Speyside malts, supported by well-matured grain whisky. The result’s a light-bodied dram with notes of orange peel, milk chocolate, honey, and a touch of dry smoke.
Initially created by James Buchanan within the late 1800s, this expression has been a staple of the model for many years. It’s particularly common in Latin American markets, the place it stays a logo of accessible luxurious. The recipe prioritizes steadiness and approachability over boldness, making it simple to sip neat or combine with soda and citrus.
Its Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem displays the enduring high quality of this understated traditional.
Grant’s Sherry Cask End
Tasting Notes: Nut oil, citrus peels, honey, sultanas, fruitcake, spice, oak
BUY NOW: $24
Grant’s Sherry Cask End is an 8-year-old blended scotch that provides a layer of richness by way of a closing maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. After ageing in ex-bourbon barrels, the whisky is completed in hand-selected Spanish oak casks, which convey out notes of dried fruits, heat spice, and toffee.
The core of the mix contains grain whisky from the Girvan distillery, mixed with single malts from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and different William Grant-owned distilleries. The result’s a well-rounded dram with gentle sweetness, nutty undertones, and a delicate, warming end.
A part of the Grant’s Cask Editions vary, this expression was developed to supply extra character whereas remaining easy-drinking and inexpensive. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and designed to go well with each newcomers and seasoned whisky followers on the lookout for one thing mellow however flavorful.
Its Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem highlights the affect of considerate cask ending in even essentially the most accessible blends.
Grant’s Triple Wooden
Tasting Notes: Spice, vanilla smoothness, brown sugar, ripe pear, floral, trace of smoke
BUY NOW: $14
Grant’s Triple Wooden 12 Yr Outdated is a blended scotch matured in three forms of casks: refill bourbon barrels, American virgin oak, and Oloroso sherry casks. Every wooden sort brings one thing totally different—vanilla and sweetness from the bourbon casks, spice and construction from the virgin oak, and dried fruit and richness from the sherry end.
All whiskies within the mix are aged not less than twelve years, with grain whisky from Girvan forming the muse, supported by single malts from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and others. The result’s a clean, layered whisky with notes of honey, raisins, baking spice, and a contact of smoke.
Beforehand bought as Grant’s 12 Yr Outdated, the Triple Wooden identify was launched to raised spotlight the cask-driven complexity of the mix. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and gives a richer, fuller expertise whereas staying approachable.
Its Gold medal on the 2025 Worldwide Spirits Problem confirms that sensible cask administration can elevate a mix properly past on a regular basis expectations.
