Dewar’s Is The Best Blended Scotch Whisky According To The International Whisky Competition 2024

The International Whisky Competition (IWC) attracts thousands of entries every year, with each brand hoping to clinch a coveted gold medal. Each spirit that is awarded over 85 points is eligible for a medal, with each category awarding a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. 

I have often spoken about my affection for blended scotch whisky and the expertise that goes into crafting the perfect blend. So, today I thought I would run through the winners of each category of blended scotch. If you have seen the thumbnail, you will know that Dewar’s achieved a clean sweep. Let’s talk about the award-winning whiskies. 

Dewar’s ‘Double Double’ Four-Stage Aging Process

Before we dive in, you will notice the words ‘Double Double’ appear a lot in this article. The ‘Double Double’ range is a collection of blended scotch produced by John Dewar & Sons using a unique four-stage aging process pioneered by Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod, in 2019. 

The four stages in the process are as follows: 

1. Single malt scotch and single grain scotch whiskies are matured in separate oak casks until they reach the desired age. 
2. All of the single malt scotch whiskies are blended together (married) and laid back down in a neutral (exhausted) oak cask. The single grain whiskies undergo the same treatment. 
3. The single malt and single grain whiskies are blended together and aged yet again in a neutral oak cask.
4. Finally, the blended whisky undergoes a finishing period of up to 12 months in sherry casks. 

According to Dewar’s, the ‘Double Double’ process results in “maximum smoothness and has achieved great success in the world of whisky.” 

Best Blended Scotch 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 37 Years Old – 96.37 points
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, vanilla, heather, ripe peaches, orange peel, brown sugar
BUY NOW: $1,727
Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old – 95.46 points, Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Old – 95.36 points

Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old is a limited edition release from the iconic blended scotch brand. Like every other bottle in the ‘Double Double’ range, the 37 Year Old is matured using Dewar’s unique 4-stage aging process. 

This particular blend was finished in Oloroso sherry casks that had previously matured Aultmore single malt. This is a nod to the Speyside region, which is famed for its sherried whiskies. 

The limited edition whisky was released in 2019, in the same year that the ‘Double Double’ range was launched. The striking bottle comes accompanied by two Baccarat Massena crystal tumblers so that you can sample the 37 Year Old in style. 

Two variants were released, one 375ml and one 700ml. 

Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old not only won the overall title of ‘Best Blended Scotch’ at the 2024 International Whisky Competition, it was also named ‘Best Blended Scotch Over 30 Years’, as you can see at the bottom of this article. 

Two other Dewar’s ‘Double Double’ expressions were named runners-up in this category: the 21 Year Old and the 32 Year Old. 

Best Blended Scotch 12 Year Old 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s 12 Years Old – 89.06 points
Tasting Notes: Citrus, dried fruit, vanilla
BUY NOW: $17.84
Runners Up: Chivas Regal 12 Year Old – 87.21 points, Imperial 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whiskey – 85.1 points

The Dewar’s 12 Year Old was named ‘Best Blended Scotch 12 Year Old’ at the IWC in 2024. This whisky was created by Dewar’s previous Master Blender, Tom Aitken, as an homage to Dewar’s signature Blended Scotch Whisky created over 100 years ago. 

The entry-level blend is smooth, herbaceous, and perfect for use in a whisky highball (I speak from experience). 

Whilst the 12 Year Old is not part of the ‘Double Double’ range, it still “double aged for extra smoothness”. This process involves the initial separate blending of the single malt and single grain whiskies for 12 years. Then, the whisky is blended and married together before bottling. 

Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and the Imperial 12 Year Old came second and third respectively. 

Best Blended Scotch 13-19 Year Old 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s 16 Years Old – 88.9 Pts
Tasting Notes: Luscious ripe apricots, honey, cinnamon, cloves, spice
BUY NOW: Travel retail exclusive, limited number available from the Aberfeldy Distillery
Runners Up: Dewar’s 18 Years Old – 86.76 points, Chivas Regal XV – Blended Scotch Whisky – 86.07 points

Dewar’s 16 Year Old Double Agent clinched gold for the category of ‘Best Blended Scotch 13-19 Year Old’. This whisky, as the name would suggest, has been subjected to two very different types of cask finishes prior to marrying. 

After undergoing the principal double aging process, ‘Double Agent’ is separated into two batches for two separate finishing periods: one in sweet sherry casks, and one in smoky Islay casks. Then, the whisky is blended back together to create a blend that is perfectly balanced between sweetness and smoke. 

The 16 Year Old Double Agent is a travel retail exclusive, but a small number are available to purchase from the Aberfeldy Distillery in Scotland for £75 (~£98). 

Dewar’s achieved yet another second-place finish in this category with the 18 Year Old, and Chivas Regal XV took bronze. 

Best Blended Scotch 20-24 Year Old 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old – 95.46 Pts
Tasting Notes: Butter, sherry, raisins, cinnamon, dried orange peel, cloves, candied sweetness
BUY NOW: $59.99
Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old Magma Toast level 1 finished in French oak casks – 95.22 points, Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old Magma Toast level 1 finished in American Oak – 94.86 points 

Back to ‘Double Double’ now, and the 21 Year Old won gold in the ‘20-24 Year Old’ category. 

Following the special maturation process, the 21 Year Old blended scotch was finished in Oloroso sherry casks, imparting sweet sherry and notes of warm spices to the blend. 

The Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old is consistently awarded and was previously named ‘World’s Best Blended Scotch’ at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards. 

Dewar’s took the runners-up spots yet again in this category, with two more 21 Year Olds displaying two different cask finishes. One whisky was finished in French oak and the other in American oak. 

Best Blended Scotch 25-30 Year Old 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 26 Years Old – 94.95 Pts
Tasting Notes: Floral notes, honeyed fruits, subtle spice
BUY NOW: Travel retail exclusive
Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 30 Years Old – 94.34 points, Dewar’s Double Double 27 Years Old – 93.54 points 

This Dewar’s Double Double 26 Year Old is another travel retail exclusive, meaning that only a select few will get the chance to try this award-winning dram. 

The finishing period was conducted in a more experimental sherry cask, Palo Cortado. Whilst Palo Cortado is used in whisky maturation, it is a much rarer finish than Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez, for example. Palo Cortado is, in itself, a rare type of sherry. It is dry and perfectly balances the sweet aroma of Amontillado sherry with the full-bodied nature of Oloroso.

The 16 Year Old is still available in selected airports including London Heathrow for £238.49 (~$315).  

Best Blended Scotch Over 30 Year Old 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 37 Years Old – 96.37 Pts
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, vanilla, heather, ripe peaches, orange peel, brown sugar
BUY NOW: $1,727
Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Old – 95.36 points, Dewar’s Double Double 36 Years Old – 94.01 points 

Finally, we come full circle back to the Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old, a two-time gold medal winner in 2024.  

In this category, the 32 Year Old and the 36 Year Old Double Doubles were runners-up. 

Dewar’s Clean Sweep 

Given Dewar’s legendary clean sweep in the blended scotch categories at this year’s IWC, it is no wonder that the brand claims to be the most awarded blended scotch in the world. The range now has over 1,000 accolades to its name. 

In recognition of Dewar’s incredible whiskies, Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod, was recently named ‘Master Blender of the Year’ by the International Whisky Competition for a record-breaking sixth consecutive time. 

Stephanie is also the Malt Master for the single malt distilleries under Dewar’s portfolio: Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron. In 2024, the Aultmore 25 Year Old was named ‘Whisky of the Year’ at the IWC.