Full Review

The Big Smoke

The Big Smoke
50% Heavily Peated Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Category: Blended Malt Scotch

Date Tasted:
Country: Scotland
Alcohol: 50%
94 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$59

The Big Smoke
50% Heavily Peated Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Category: Blended Malt Scotch

Date Tasted:
Country: Scotland
Alcohol: 50%
Brilliant golden yellow color. Smoky aromas and flavors of smoldering bbq woods, smoked and candied nuts and dates, honeyed grilled peaches on waffles, and mexican chocolate with sea salt with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a seamless, stimulating, very long finish with elements of grilled pound cake in roasted coconut milk, lapsang souchong chai, cigar ash and wrapper, and singed herbs and bacon. A bold, smoky, blended Scotch with cascading waves of peaty and fruity flavors.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Fruity, Smoky, Rich & Spicy
Aroma Aroma: smoldering bbq woods, smoked and candied nuts and dates, honeyed grilled peaches on waffles, and mexican chocolate with sea salt
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with elements of grilled pound cake in roasted coconut milk, lapsang souchong chai, cigar ash and wrapper, and singed herbs and bacon
Smoothness Smoothness: Smooth
Finish Finish: Very Long
Enjoy Enjoy: neat, on the rocks and with cigars
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A bold, smoky, blended Scotch with cascading waves of peaty and fruity flavors.

The Importer

Shand Import LLC

The Importer
1020 Mission St. Unit H
South Pasadena, CA 91030
USA
1 626-441-4706

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Blended Malt Scotch

Spirits Glass Glencairn Scotch Amber.jpg
Serve in a Glencairn Scotch Whisky Glass
A blended malt Scotch is not a blend from one distillery, but rather a Scotch whisky made from different single malt whiskies made by several distilleries. The difference between a blended Scotch whisky and a blended malt Scotch whisky is that the former has grains other than malted barley, while a single malt, as per the name, is produced solely from this one grain.

There are various production methods as far as aging with the blended malt Scotch whiskies and various levels of quality, with some produced for mixing with soda or in elegant cocktails, while the finest are meant for sipping in a small snifter. Most of them, given their heritage, have a smoky, peaty character with notes of honey, roasted nuts and a touch of pepper and other spices.