# Why Are Whiskeys Typically 'Blended'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [December 25, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514 "2009-12-25T02:49:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/21 "2009-12-26T19:59:30Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > What? No, it isn’t. The creation of single malt Scotch may well be, but you’re gonna have to get up awfully early to convince me that glugging hooch is ever ant art in itself. Did you read his whole post? With his arrogance (showcased in his final paragraph) I assume he is convinced that wiping his keester is an art form. His attitude is what keeps a lot of people from asking perfectly valid questions here on SDMB, as no one wants to be told that they are “uneducated” by a pompous blowhard who happens to have internet access… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/22 "2009-12-26T21:55:18Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > What? No, it isn’t. The creation of single malt Scotch may well be, but you’re gonna have to get up awfully early to convince me that glugging hooch is ever any art in itself. Hush! I’m applying for a NEA grant! ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/23 "2009-12-26T22:02:48Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > What? No, it isn’t. The creation of single malt Scotch may well be, but you’re gonna have to get up awfully early to convince me that glugging hooch is ever ant art in itself. I have turned it into a performance art. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/24 "2009-12-26T23:16:36Z")
> [@Duck\_Quack\_s\_Echo](#): > > The act of drinking single malt scotch is an art form. Not to threadjack, but as the original question is more or less answered, and we are in Cafe Society, I was hoping you’d let us all know more about the art of drinking single malts. I mean, it’s buy it, pour it, drink it. Right? What am I missing out on? > [@](#): > > Despite your opening words, “Interesting story. I am a lover of fine liquors.”, I suspect that you are uneducated when it comes to spirits. Otherwise you would know the simple factual notes that I provided above. I’m not being silly here, you’ve given us some fine examples to go looking for. What’s next? _EDIT_ Or you know, what **typoink:** said a few hours ago. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/25 "2009-12-26T23:29:25Z")
Dear Whisky (Note the Spelling) Artiste, A friend of mine just gave me what he claims is a good bottle of whisky (note the spelling) for Christmas. However, I confess that I’m stymied–I’m struggling to open the bottle of whisky (note the spelling), but no matter which way I turn the cork, the damn thing won’t unscrew. Can you provide any suggestions? Signed, Likes Unusual Scottish Hooch ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/26 "2009-12-26T23:39:14Z")
Dear LUSH: What you have there is a classic Scottish Fighting Bottle. The correct way to open it is to grasp the neck firmly in your dominant hand, then bring the bottle down sharply, at a 45 degree angle, onto the edge of the bar or the smelly person next to you’s head. Toss back the liquid that remains in the neck of the bottle and loudly challenge any in the bar to a sheep-shagging contest. Or, if ye be naught but a girly (note the spelling)-man, you can twist the cork while applying upwards pressure, so that it slowly exits the neck of the bottle, allowing you to pour a dram for your thirsty friends. Wuss. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/27 "2009-12-27T00:49:25Z")
> [@Ass\_For\_A\_Hat](#): > > Does Knob Creek really sell a single barrel bourbon? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Their standard bourbon is a small batch. I’d sure be interested to try a single barrel expression though. I see that **Czarcasm** has jumped in. Maybe they changed the name from “single barrel” to “small batch”, or maybe they dropped it entirely. It has been many years since I had it. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/28 "2009-12-27T00:51:59Z")
[1792](http://www.internetwines.com/rws30541.html) sounds worthy of a sip. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/29 "2009-12-27T01:40:43Z")
It’s worthy. It’s not Magic or Kareem, but it’s no Rambis. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/30 "2009-12-27T01:57:31Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I see that **Czarcasm** has jumped in. Maybe they changed the name from “single barrel” to “small batch”, or maybe they dropped it entirely. It has been many years since I had it. There’s both. The commonly available Knob Creek is advertised as being small batch. There is also a limited availability bottlling that is actually single barrel. I’ve never seen it, but I guess I’ve never looked either. Somehow, I’m on the Knob Creek mail list, so I get that kind of info from them from time to time. They sent me a barrel bung just recently. Dunno what I’m supposed to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/31 "2009-12-27T02:44:35Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > There’s both. The commonly available Knob Creek is advertised as being small batch. There is also a limited availability bottlling that is actually single barrel. I’ve never seen it, but I guess I’ve never looked either. Somehow, I’m on the Knob Creek mail list, so I get that kind of info from them from time to time. They sent me a barrel bung just recently. Dunno what I’m supposed to do with it. Put it in your bung hole, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/32 "2009-12-27T03:02:30Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > They sent me a barrel bung just recently. Dunno what I’m supposed to do with it. Camp by it until a sheep comes along, then steal the sheep. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/33 "2009-12-27T03:12:24Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Did you read his whole post? > > With his arrogance (showcased in his final paragraph) I assume he is convinced that wiping his keester is an art form. > > His attitude is what keeps a lot of people from asking perfectly valid questions here on SDMB, as no one wants to be told that they are “uneducated” by a pompous blowhard who happens to have internet access… Cafe Society isn’t the place for personal attacks on other posters. Knock it off. twickster, Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/34 "2009-12-27T03:49:19Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Cafe Society isn’t the place for personal attacks on other posters. > > Knock it off. > > twickster, Cafe Society moderator Will do, I just thought the poster I was responding to came off as condesending and unnecessarily rude, (post #4) so I suppose I spoke out of turn… I won’t do that again—Matthew ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/35 "2009-12-27T04:03:29Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Put it in your bung hole, obviously. I think they sent the wrong size then. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kylede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kylede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kylede)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/36 "2009-12-27T06:07:38Z")
Since i work in the retail world of Wine and Spirits, I would like to clear up some things (and I am not trying to be pompous, sorry if i might come across that way) First - Whiskey and Whisky - the different spellings are purely a “country” thing. I have been doing this 8 years now and I don’t bother with that level of minutae. They are pronounced the same way so know one knows if you are saying one and not the other. Second - Blended - Many of the descriptions above are certainly correct, but I would like to add one more thing. No one mentioned “House Style”. The history of how bottlers (Johnie Walker, J&B, Dewars) would buy barrels from many distileries is right. After one or two centeries, people expect each bottle of CHivas Regal, or Johnie Walker Black, or Jack Daniels to taste the same as the last 30-40 bottles they drank. This is accomplished by blending…(are 10 of the barrels we are using in this batch charred to much…well lets add 10 that are chared to little to acheive a consitant taste). Third - Single Malt - once more I want to point out, as I do at least once a day to a customer or 2, Single Malt is not intrinsicly “better” then blended Scotch. It is simply “Different”. If you are getting a gift for Uncle Bob, and all your life you have seen him drink Dewars, it might not be the best idea to trade up to a Single malt, simply becasue it is more expensive. Starting next week I will have everyones Uncle Bob coming into my store asking if he can trade is $80 single malt for 2 $40 Dewars because he likes Dewars and doesn’t want to try something different. Fourth - Single Barrel - This is the highest priced category, but once again, it does not mean it is “Best”, simply different. A single barrel bottler (ie Lorne Mackillop) works like this. A distillery, after tasteing samples of all its barrels from a certain year, decides X barrels are ageing particularly well. To make a proffit on those bottles now (this year being to soon to release it) they offer those barrels to a Single Barrel Bottler. He decides which barrels he wants, and then buys them, thereby giving the distiller some quick profit on a product they cant sell for a few years anyway. The Bottler then but the barrel away to age (making sure each bottle is maked with the year it was distilled, and who distilled it). He will then taste it more as it ages. When he feels the barrel is best, he will bottle product from that barrel. It will be marked as his product for sale, but with the name of the distillery, year distilled, age, and any other information he may deem appropriate on the Bottle (ie “_Lorne Mackillops The Glenlivet, 1973, 29 years old_”…the bottle I bought for my brother for his wedding 4-5 years ago). This is one of the ways you can get scotch from distilleries that dont exist anymore as well. The reason this is done this way is to get a totally unique product to market. At the first store I worked at, once a year Lorne would visit us with some 20-30 samples of barrels he was planning to bottle that year. Each sample was stored in a glass flask (they all seemed like diffent flasks that one held a brand name in them, but has the labels washed off) with a label from an old dot-matrix printer telling you what the label on the bottle will say. The store owner, the other manager and myself woudl get ot sit there all afternoon with Lorne and taste all those sample and dicide on the 6 or 7 products we would buy. A few times we would buy the whole Barrel and we could get the words “Bottle exclusivly for **X wine and spirits** ” each time it was something we felt was superior, but once again, that was just our opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/37 "2009-12-27T15:48:22Z")
Fifth - Cask Strength Single - This is a single that has not been watered down to a standardized strength. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/38 "2009-12-27T16:28:52Z")
5a. The ultimate expression of this in Scotch is **The Macallan Cask Strength**. 5b. Wild Turkey does a regular bottling of cask strength called **Rare Breed**. Whenever Jimmy Russell finds a barrel that is worthy, it gets bottled as this. But note that this is a blend as well, of 6, 8, and 12 year old bourbons. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/39 "2009-12-27T20:07:34Z")
> [@Kylede](#): > > Since i work in the retail world of Wine and Spirits, I would like to clear up some things (and I am not trying to be pompous, sorry if i might come across that way) > > —. (Highly informative post truncated [and nods to \*\*Czarcasm \*\*and \*\*silenus \*\*for their subsequent contributions]) Thanks, **Kylede** , for this – it’s an excellent resource for someone like me, who drinks a lot of whiskey and has always wondered about private bottlings. And, **MBP** , I’ve been following this thread since its origination, and your comments regarding **Duck Quack Echo’s** response were significantly more restrained than mine would have been. As I wrote in a similarly themed [recent thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=537261) regarding whiskey: drink what you like, the way you like it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514/40 "2009-12-27T21:27:50Z")
> [@Kylede](#): > > First - Whiskey and Whisky - the different spellings are purely a “country” thing. There is one thing to keep in mind. When someone attempts to explain the difference in spelling to you at a party, you have to make a bold effort to get away from this person. If it is your first encounter with this type, you may feel the need to be kind. Don’t make this mistake. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-whiskeys-typically-blended/522514.md?page=1)