New Zealand : buy Adephi Private Stock deluxe blend here
Netherlands : buy Adephi Private Stock deluxe blend here

I always think of Scotch Whisky drinkers, or at least those that appreciate the premium blends and single malts, as discerning consumers. But not everyone knows about the small-batch blends that are considered the ones to have here in Scotland.

Baillie Nicol Jarvie (or BNJ), is one; Asyla from John Glaser’s Compass Box Whisky is another. Earlier I introduced Te Bheag the first unchilfiltered (read as equals more flavour) blend , although even in the UK this is not always easy to find. Now here’s a fourth, from one of the great single cask bottlers of Single Malts, Adelphi. Continue Reading »

From a truly individual and classy whisky company, John Glaser’s Aslya blend has done more to bring whisky, especially blends, into the 21st century. Here is a small-batch product from a forward looking whisky maker with plenty of passion for his craft. The quality and style of the packaging support the contents.

Single malt devotees should note that blending can sometimes be about covering up average product by blending it with superior product (you can see this also with big coffee companies who blend the cheaper robusta with arabica beans) but speak with a tea blender or wine maker and you will see that single varietal does not always mean best. The most sought after Bordeaux wines use a blend that can include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Cabernet Franc varietals.

Recommended for : A good gift for any whisky drinker
UK Availability : Specialist drink shops or online at Speciality Drinks
NZ Availability : Specialist drink shops or online at Whisky Galore
US Availability : Specialist drinkshops or online at Park Avenue Liquor
South Africa Availability : Try Compass Box Oak Cross online at Aficionados

This blended whisky comes from a small independant bottler who were one of the earliest to promote the benefits of ‘unchillfiltered’ whisky. Chilfiltering is a process that strips out some of the natural flavour but is still widespread as it stops any cloudiness occuring when water is added, or the whisky becomes cold in storage.

When the Gaelic Whisky Company (or ‘Pràban na Linne’ to give them their Gaelic name; translated means a smugglers den by the Sound of Sleat) first set out to promote an unfiltered whisky it was unusual to find any other blends doing the same. More than 10 years later and now the big whisky companies will often refrain from filtering when they do a special limited edition bottling of high end Single Malts as they now accept that connoisseurs (who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and are competent to act as a critical judge) recognise the benefit.

Gaelic Whisky Company have also re-introduced a Rum Finish unchilfiltered blend, double matured and is kept for an extra year in Guyanan Rum casks. Available NZ, UK

Recommended for : A good gift for a regular blended whisky drinker (Famous Grouse, Bells etc) as something a bit special without moving to a Single malt.
Availability : Some UK specialist whisky shops or online at The Whisky Exchange