Whisky Forum - Best of The Cheap Blends

scotchirish · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:16 pm Post subject: Best of The Cheap Blends

I'm a single malt guy. Love the Islays best. But like to try everything.
Can't seem to bring myself to buy and try the really cheap blends.
Opinions as to the best, let's say . . . under $40.00 (US)?
Famous Grouse? Black Grouse? Teachers?

Quaich1 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: Best of The Cheap Blends

scotchirish · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 12:49 am Post subject: Re: Best of The Cheap Blends

_peke_ · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 4:31 am Post subject:

I recommend to start with these basic blends first:
Grants》toffee, caramel, oak
Jameson》vanilla, spice, honey
Bussmills》honey, citrus, floral

I like islay too but i keep these blends always in stock. Sometimes i need nice contrast to dark Islay whiskies.

opelfruit · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:19 am Post subject:

+1 on the Ballentines

http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3766

Very good blend, not really like the cheap and nasty stuff. To be honest, not sure any of them are similar to Islay, most cheap ones are young grain heavy and made for mixing. You need to be looking at Â£20ish for a blend before they get drinkable straight as you need a bit of age and some good malt in the mix.
_________________
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."

scotchirish · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:09 am Post subject:

I'll certainly try the Ballentines.
Anyone had the BlackGrouse?

Whisky Dog · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Apr 2014 Posts: 708

My go-to blends are Johnnie walker double black & Johnnie walker 12 black label, both should be around $40

_peke_ · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:50 am Post subject:

scotchirish · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:43 am Post subject:

Having my first dram of Ballantine's Finest . . . . Well . . . a little disappointed, but maybe it will grow on me. Must try the Black Grouse, since it has some peat and smoke characteristics. When all is tried, I'm sure I'll go back to my single malts . . . Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Talisker, H.P.

IndianaBlues · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 457

I've not tried it, and understand that it's recently been changed to be less smoky/peaty, but if you're looking for an Islay-style blend you could try Black Bottle which is a blend of Islay SMs? For what it's worth, Black Grouse is much better than the other cheaper blends (in my opinion), although I used to enjoy the odd Bailie Nicol Jarvie as well.

Edit: For smoky, you could also try JW Double Black...I've just noticed you're in the States, so this may or may not apply, but over here in the UK Costco usually have it for Â£23 as opposed to the Â£30+ other retailers sell it at.

ralfy legend · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:41 pm Post subject:

When i first tried ballentines i thought hell ive made a mistake and i will be giving it away to a pal but half a bottle later it found me... I would buy again.

Newkophile · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 5:31 pm Post subject:

A Scotch blend that I particularly like, not least because unlike most blends which are 40% ABV (too weak for my taste), it is a whopping 50% ABV, is the relatively new Cutty Sark Prohibition. While not peaty per se, it does have a peppery finish and I do enjoy it as an occasional alternative to a single malt. Here in southeast Florida, it can be had for as low as $30 but most likely, it can be found in many a liquor store for $35. I also can recommend an Irish whiskey that is quite tasty, the new release of the basic Powers, 43.2% ABV. Be careful to look at the label because the older version can still be found which is inferior IMO due to its minimum 40% ABV. Here, this new version can be had for under $35.

sorren · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 5:51 pm Post subject:

None 🙈... I hear ballentines is good, although I never drink blends ..they say big peat and monkey shoulder are good, although probably in a different price bracket.. Dimple is supposed to be sweet .. But I could be wrong..

opelfruit · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 7:00 pm Post subject:

sorren · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

On paper yes your totally right but they are a "blended" malt .. I really do think they are over complicating things.. It is either a blend or a single malt, they are not single malts so in simple terms they are a blend .. Are they not ? 😁