Blending... Everybody does it! (Some Readings & Video)

[ChainWhip]

There's been some cool articles coming out on blending and one of the interesting factoids that came to light in my readings is that it is fairly common to nose & taste the candidate blends @ 20% ABV. Given even Single Malts are essentially blends comprised of a mix of whiskies from a single distillery, this practice is repeated for just about every bottle of whisky on the shelf (with the notable exception of Single Barrel selections) - in fact, "Small Batch" really means "Blend". The entire process is fascinating and I have to credit SB & Gillman for opening my eyes to this world via the gateway expression famously known as the SB Blend.

Here's a fascinating discussion by Compass Box's John Glaser on how they came about the recipe (includes component malts) for the Flaming Heart 4th Edition (2012):

I applaud CB's openness in revealing the sources of their blends - I wish there was more transparency like this in the whisky world!

Here's some of the links I've been reading this AM:

http://misswhisky.com/2013/06/28/blending-ballantines/

http://scotchodysseyblog.com/2013/07/02/nose-on-the-line-beginning-blending/

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/klwinescom-spirits-blog/2013/4/14/blending-exercise.html

Some links to SB Blend Threads:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?16181-Successful-Two-Bourbon-Vattings

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?4352-Vatting-Bourbons

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?7917-Kicking-it-Gillman-Style

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?7041-Scotch-Blending

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?20059-Favorite-Personal-Blends-or-mixes-of-Whiskies

Edited July 3, 2013 by ChainWhip

[squire]

Thanks for posting that Johnny, neat stuff.

[Gillman]

Thanks for that Mr. C.W. I have met John Glaser and he does excellent work (he used to work for Johnnie Walker IIRC before setting up his own company...). I must say I never did the 20% reduction thing. I always wondered if it was more a practical expedient for distillery employees than anything else (i.e., not to wander the halls sloshed), but anyway I do it the old-fashioned way. In fairness, Scotch blending has to take account of the whisky being consumed with water, soda, ice, etc., so different factors may be at work there.

Gary

[ChainWhip]

I have the sudden urge to stock up on beakers, pipettes, and graduated cylinders ;-)

Edited July 3, 2013 by ChainWhip

[squire]

I have the sudden urge for a drink.

[MyOldKyDram]

Me too. Thinking a lil Flaming Heart is in order.

[portwood]

I applaud CB's openness in revealing the sources of their blends - I wish there was more transparency like this in the whisky world!

Transparency isn't too difficult when:

a) the component whiskies are well known and of high quality, such as the ones used by CB; and

the distilleries allow their names to be used*

When the blends contain a huge number of obscure and/or crappy whiskies there is no advantage to disclosure.

* some do not allow it (Glenfiddich, and Glenfarclas being the most famous in the Scotch world. Wm Grant goes so far as to add a spoonful of Balvenie to every barrel of GF and a spoonful of GF to every barrel of Balvenie they sell to blenders and independent bottlers - called "spooning" - in order to prevent them the claim of having single malts)

[squire]

That sounds like a Geo. Washington blend.

[Leopold]

For what it's worth--not much, I'm sure--- not everyone blends. Everything we bottle is from single barrels.

[T Comp]

* some do not allow it (Glenfiddich, and Glenfarclas being the most famous in the Scotch world. Wm Grant goes so far as to add a spoonful of Balvenie to every barrel of GF and a spoonful of GF to every barrel of Balvenie they sell to blenders and independent bottlers - called "spooning" - in order to prevent them the claim of having single malts)

Always love learning. Great info portwod! And I vaguely rememeber spooning...back in the beginning of my 2nd time around as a newly wed and before sleep apnea set in :grin:.