Single Malt Scotch #2

Blends contain up to 70% neutral grain spirits, otherwise known as vodka, and that seriously dilutes the taste of the malts they contain. The reason for blending whiskey is twofold. Price is, obviously, the main reason, as malts have to be produced on a small scale, then aged, whereas vodka can be pumped out by rivers. Secondly, when blended, one can achieve uniformity of taste that remains unchanged over decades, since the master blender can always put more of this and less of that. Single malts, especially the ones from single barrels, cannot be exactly matched to the last bottle one had of the same product. By definition the taste will vary, even if subtly.

The intensity of single malts’ flavor, whether in the nose or on the palate is incomparable to a blended whiskey, no matter how expensive. Diluted is diluted, no matter how high the percentage of the original product remains, unless one wishes to apply homeopathy to alcoholic beverages.

Now, there exists an entity called VATTED malt whiskey, which is a blend of ONLY single malts, sans vodka. THAT stuff can be incredibly complex and delicious, if blended by a real expert. These are quite rare, though, and most of those that reach the market aren’t all that special, since they use cheaper and more insipid malts for the bulk of the blend, adding just enough of the more expensive and flavorful ones to bring the taste few levels up.