Blended scotch whisky does not always get the respect it deserves. Sure, single malts might carry more allure for connoisseurs. But, the reality is that blended scotch whisky is the backbone on which the whisky industry was built. Even in a world of increasing prices and luxury, these blended scotches are always there, always reliable, and always affordable.
Each of the expressions featured here took home a Gold medal in the 2025 International Spirits Competition. Proof that you don’t need to break the bank to drink good whisky. Whether finished in sherry casks, aged in bourbon barrels, or built around smoky malts, they represent a wide spectrum of styles, all blended with care and consistency.
They may not blow you away, but each has been recognized for its quality. Together, they highlight why blended scotch whisky still deserves its place on the global stage. In this article, we’ll walk whisky lovers through each Gold medal-winning blend—what it is, how it was made, and the story behind the brand.
MacNair’s Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 10 Year Old
Tasting Notes: Toffee brittle, chocolate-covered raisins, caramelized brown sugar, grated ginger, cigar box, toasted cinnamon sticks, coffee, mocha, grilled honeycomb, smoked spices, butterscotch, orange peel
BUY NOW: $75
MacNair’s Lum Reek 10 Year Old is a blended malt combining peated Islay and unpeated Speyside single malts, with a generous helping of GlenAllachie at its core. After ten years of maturation, it’s re-racked into oloroso sherry casks, red wine barriques, and virgin oak for added depth.
The result is a smoky-sweet dram with notes of toffee, dark chocolate, orange peel, and warming peat. Bottled at 48% ABV with no chill filtration or added color, it delivers serious character.
Originally founded in the 19th century, MacNair’s was revived in 2018 by GlenAllachie’s Billy Walker. The “Lum Reek” name comes from a traditional Scottish toast meaning “long may your chimney smoke.”
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With GlenAllachie’s 12 Year Old recently named World’s Best Single Malt, it’s no surprise this blend, sharing the same DNA, earned a Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge.
Ballantine’s 10 Year Old
Tasting Notes: Sweet honey, oak, vanilla, floral, creamy oak
BUY NOW: N/A
Ballantine’s 10 Year Old is a smooth, Speyside-forward blend that showcases the brand’s classic honeyed style with added maturity. Made from a selection of single malts and grain whiskies aged at least ten years (primarily from Glenburgie and Miltonduff), it’s matured in American oak barrels that bring out soft notes of vanilla, orchard fruits, and gentle spice.
Launched as a step up from Ballantine’s Finest, this expression is crafted to offer more depth without straying from the easy-drinking profile that has made Ballantine’s a global staple. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and built for accessibility, whether neat or in a highball.
Ballantine’s dates back to 1827 and is now one of the best-selling scotch brands in the world, known for its consistency and wide international reach. Its blending house, now under Chivas Brothers, continues to produce some of the most approachable scotch whiskies on the market.
Its Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge confirms that everyday blends can still deliver standout quality.
Ballantine’s 7 Year Old American Barrel
Tasting Notes: Toffee apples, honey, vanilla, floral, ripe pear, creamy caramel
BUY NOW: £27.99
Ballantine’s 7 Year Old American Barrel is a modern take on a classic blend, designed to appeal to both scotch and bourbon drinkers. Aged for a minimum of seven years, the whisky is finished in American bourbon barrels, which lend it creamy notes of vanilla, toffee, and sweet red apple.
The blend features Ballantine’s signature malts (again, from Glenburgie and Miltonduff) alongside grain whiskies that have had time to mellow. The bourbon cask influence is clear but well integrated, softening the whisky without overpowering it.
First released in 2020, this expression nods to founder George Ballantine’s early use of seven-year-old whiskies in the 19th century. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and aimed at drinkers looking for a sweeter, more rounded introduction to scotch.
Its Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge shows that Ballantine’s can still innovate while staying true to its house style.
Buchanan’s De Luxe 12 Year Old
Tasting Notes: Orange, chocolate, fruit
BUY NOW: $24
Buchanan’s De Luxe 12 Year Old is a long-standing blend known for its smooth, fruity profile and subtle touch of smoke. All components in the blend have been aged for at least twelve years, with a focus on soft Highland and Speyside malts, supported by well-matured grain whisky. The result is a light-bodied dram with notes of orange peel, milk chocolate, honey, and a hint of dry smoke.
Originally created by James Buchanan in the late 1800s, this expression has been a staple of the brand for decades. It’s especially popular in Latin American markets, where it remains a symbol of accessible luxury. The recipe prioritizes balance and approachability over boldness, making it easy to sip neat or mix with soda and citrus.
Its Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge reflects the enduring quality of this understated classic.
Grant’s Sherry Cask Finish
Tasting Notes: Nut oil, citrus peels, honey, sultanas, fruitcake, spice, oak
BUY NOW: $24
Grant’s Sherry Cask Finish is an 8-year-old blended scotch that adds a layer of richness through a final maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. After aging in ex-bourbon barrels, the whisky is finished in hand-selected Spanish oak casks, which bring out notes of dried fruits, warm spice, and toffee.
The core of the blend includes grain whisky from the Girvan distillery, combined with single malts from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and other William Grant-owned distilleries. The result is a well-rounded dram with soft sweetness, nutty undertones, and a gentle, warming finish.
Part of the Grant’s Cask Editions range, this expression was developed to offer more character while remaining easy-drinking and affordable. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and designed to suit both newcomers and seasoned whisky fans looking for something mellow but flavorful.
Its Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge highlights the impact of thoughtful cask finishing in even the most accessible blends.
Grant’s Triple Wood
Tasting Notes: Spice, vanilla smoothness, brown sugar, ripe pear, floral, hint of smoke
BUY NOW: $14
Grant’s Triple Wood 12 Year Old is a blended scotch matured in three types of casks: refill bourbon barrels, American virgin oak, and Oloroso sherry casks. Each wood type brings something different—vanilla and sweetness from the bourbon casks, spice and structure from the virgin oak, and dried fruit and richness from the sherry finish.
All whiskies in the blend are aged at least twelve years, with grain whisky from Girvan forming the foundation, supported by single malts from Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and others. The result is a smooth, layered whisky with notes of honey, raisins, baking spice, and a touch of smoke.
Previously sold as Grant’s 12 Year Old, the Triple Wood name was introduced to better highlight the cask-driven complexity of the blend. It’s bottled at 40% ABV and offers a richer, fuller experience while staying approachable.
Its Gold medal at the 2025 International Spirits Challenge confirms that smart cask management can elevate a blend well beyond everyday expectations.
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