With Burns' Night approaching, our thoughts turn to whisky and this week I've been tasting some lovely blends.
A blend must contain at least one single malt and at least one single grain whisky, unlike a vatted or pure malt whisky which is a blend of single malts only.
Blended whiskies are largely misunderstood and are often thought of as a poor cousin to a single malt. This is certainly not the case and, in fact, some of my favourite drams are blends.
The addition of grain whisky to malt adds a lovely sweet note and can round off the spirit beautifully. If you need convincing, try a Chivas Regal 12-year-old, a J&B or a posh Johnnie Walker, which are all good quality and very tasty as well as being widely available.
For something a bit less ordinary, try a bottle of the Tweeddale 12-year-old blend (The Good Spirits Company, £32.50). This rich, spicy spirit is a blend of 50% malt and 50% grain and is bottled unchillfiltered at 46% ABV. Pour a large measure and enjoy in front of the telly, or with haggis.
And for a bit of Burns authenticity, try a bottle of Cutty Sark (Inverarity One to One, £19.99). The whisky was named after the Clyde-built clipper and is an auld Scots term for a short shirt or undergarment, mentioned by Burns in his famous cautionary tale, Tam O'Shanter. So, "whene'er to drink you are inclined or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind" - get down to your local wine and spirit merchant and grab a bottle to toast Burns' night. Slainte mhath!
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