Blended Whisky

The term “blended” refers to a whisky that contains several types of whisky often including various grain and malt types. However, this is not always the case. In regards to whisky, the term blended can mean different things. This meaning can vary from brand to brand meaning different things for different distilleries. For some brands of whisky the denotation blended can be used to reference the fact that the whisky is made strictly with different grains and contains no malt. Some brands of whisky use the term blended in reference to several types of malts used with no grain. Typically, in these situations the label will state either “blended grain” or “blended malt” based on which process is appropriate for the whisky in question. Yet another use of the term blended can be used if the whisky is made from more than one distillery although in that situation the whisky produced is often referred to as “vatted”.
The composition of blended whisky can also change from origin to origin. For instance, an American brand of blended whisky will often consist of at least 20% straight whisky blended with a neutral spirit.

Canadian whisky is more often than not blended. As Canada does not uphold strict policy in regards to whisky production and its distillation there is no regulation as to how much straight whisky must be used in the making of a blended whisky. It is for this reason that Canadian whisky is generally not a top pick when whisky is involved.
Blended whisky is available in all price ranges and is most commonly consumed as a mixer. This is due to the fact that blended whisky generally does not have its own distinctive taste.

Common brands of blended whisky include Crown Royal, Seagram’s, Canadian Club Premium, Jameson, and Paddy.