The results of the Scotch Whisky Masters 2024 were announced in early June of 2024. A competition presented by The Global Whisky Masters, The Scotch Whisky Masters divides thousands of entries into categories, awarding medals for the best whiskies presented.
There are three medals available for the entrants to The Scotch Whisky Masters: Silver, Gold, and Master, with Master being the highest honor.
Scotch Blended Malts – Ultra Premium
The category that I will be discussing today is the Blended Malts – Ultra Premium category. So, what do I mean by ‘blended malts’?
Blended malt scotch whiskies are whiskies that contain several malt whiskies from a number of different sources. Blended scotch whiskies, on the other hand, contain both malt and grain whiskies from a number of sources. As an example, a blend of single malt whiskies from The Macallan, Laphroaig, and Rosebank (what a blend that would be), would be considered a blended malt scotch whisky.
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A blend of single malt whiskies from The Macallan, Laphroaig, Rosebank, and grain whisky from Cameronbridge would be considered a blended scotch whisky.
With that cleared up, let’s take a look at the best ultra-premium blended malt scotch whiskies according to The Scotch Whisky Masters 2024.
Elements of Islay Sherry Cask
Medal: Master
Tasting Notes: Smoked tea, autumn fruit, winter spice
BUY NOW: $84.99
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Elements of Islay Sherry Cask is a blend of single malts from Islay distilleries. Whilst the specific distilleries are undisclosed, Elements of Islay has revealed that at least one “south coast distillery” and one “north coast distillery” provided spirit.
This doesn’t exactly narrow down the distillery pool a lot. But, we can guess that the south coast spirit came from either Port Ellen, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, or Ardbeg. The north coast spirit probably hails from Bunnahabhain, Ardnahoe, or Caol Ila.
The whisky was matured in first fill and refill sherry butts and hogsheads, and bottled at 54.5% ABV. This maturation in sherry combines that smoke that Islay is famed for with the sweetness of the sherry, making for a warming and smoky dram.
Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask
Medal: Master
Tasting Notes: Coal smoke, tropical fruit, maple syrup
BUY NOW: $74.99
Our next Master expression is also an Elements of Islay whisky, this time matured in first-fill and refill bourbon barrels.
Again, whiskies from the north of the island (presenting zest and subtlety) are blended with whiskies from the south (with rich barbecue smoke). Bottled at the same strength as the Sherry Cask expression, 54.5% ABV, this is a very approachable Islay expression. The subtle smoke combined with tropical fruits make this a fabulous whisky for those who love a hint of peat, but do not wish to be overwhelmed.
Elements of Islay, the scotch whisky brand, was founded in 2006 by Elixir Distillers to showcase the range of flavors offered by whiskies made on Islay. Combining the peat for which the island is known with other whisky styles demonstrates the varied profiles of Islay.
Clydebuilt Draughtsman
Medal: Master
Tasting Notes: Ceylon tea, manuka honey, sweet currant scones, marzipan, candied lemon peel, dark chocolate, toasted, blackcurrant jam, allspice, red fruits, herbs
BUY NOW: N/A
Clydebuilt offers transparency when it comes to the age of the whiskies in this blended malt: Draughtsman.
To create this expression, which was named a ‘Master’ at the 2024 Scotch Whisky Masters, 25 year old sherry matured malt was blended with various 8 year old Oloroso matured malts from the Lowlands, Highlands, and Speyside. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, which Clydebuilt asserts adds “more flavour”.
Only 500 cases were produced to be sold worldwide. Unfortunately for American Clydebuilt fans, I cannot find any bottles that are available in the US. UK-based fans might have a hard time finding the Clydebuilt Draughtsman, too. However, there are currently some available here for £52.99.
Clydebuilt Anchorsmith
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Black cherries, lemon drizzle cake, chocolate raisins, sesame oil, sticky figs, dates, dark fruits, roasted chestnuts, pomegranate juice, overripe bananas, tannins, early grey tea, orange marmalade
BUY NOW: N/A
The next expression from Clydebuilt was awarded a Gold medal at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2024.
Clydebuilt Anchorsmith is a blend of six different whiskies from the Lowlands, Highlands, and Speyside. Each whisky was matured in first-fill Oloroso sherry and handpicked by Max McFarlane, Ardgowan’s Master Whisky Maker. No word on the age of the whiskies in this bottling.
The whisky was bottled at 46% ABV, and only 500 cases were produced.
The two bottlings, Draughstman and Anchorsmith, were the last two whiskies to be added to the now-completed Clydebuilt series. Max McFarlane created the series whilst work was finished on the new Ardgowan Distillery. Clydebuilt was designed to give scotch whisky fans a sneak peek of what they can expect from Ardgowan.
Compass Box The Peat Monster
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Sweet smoke, driftwood bonfires, sea spray, spiced apple, vanilla
BUY NOW: $47.95
When it comes to transparency, Compass Box is unrivaled. Despite the fact that the company has previously found itself in hot water over what it is willing to disclose on the whisky labels, Compass Box prides itself on an open and honest approach, believing that consumers deserve to know what they are drinking. As such, each Compass Box whisky comes with its own fact sheet, breaking down the blend into component parts.
According to said fact sheet, Compass Box The Peat Monster, winner of a Gold medal at the 2024 SWM, is comprised of the following:
- Caol Ila Distillery Refill Hogshead Single Malt, Fruit, Smoke – 1%
- Caol Ila Distillery Refill Hogshead Single Malt, Clean Smoke – 14%
- Caol Ila Distillery Refill Hogshead Single Malt, Delicate Smoke – 3%
- Caol Ila Distillery Refill Hogshead Single Malt, Sweet Smoke – 46%
- Highland Malt Blend Custom French Oak Cask Heavy Toast Blended Malt, Clove Spice – 1%
- Laphroaig Distillery Refill Hogshead Single Malt, Smoke, Maritime Character – 35%
Peat Monster was first introduced in 2019, and the recipe has since evolved to include more types of peaty, smoky whisky from Islay.
Compass Box says of The Peat Monster expression: “This is one monster you’ll want to invite in. Fantastic. In every sense. And once those tentacles get a hold, you won’t want to escape.”
Compass Box The Spice Tree
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla
BUY NOW: $49.99
The Spice Tree’s signature is “French oak richness”, which comes from the custom-made hybrid French oak casks from Vosges forests. These casks were made exclusively for Compass Box, and heavily toasted to enhance the spicy oak flavor.
The whisky comprises the following percentages of malts:
- Highland Malt Blend Custom French Oak Barrel Heavy Toast, Blended Malt, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon, Clove – 28.9%
- Highland Malt Blend Custom French Oak Barrel Light Toast, Blended Malt, Toffee, Honey, Spice Apple – 20.4%
- Highland Malt Blend Custom French Oak Barrel Medium Toast, Blended Malt, Rich Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon – 24.5%
- Glen Moray Distillery First Fill Bourbon Barrel Single Malt, Perfumed Apple, Honey Vanilla
- The Balmenach Distillery First Fill Bourbon Barrel Single Malt, Waxy Fruitiness, Gingery Toffee – 9.3%
Compass Box The Spice Tree was initially matured exclusively in French oak casks. And so, according to the brand “we were compelled by the powers that be to discontinue production.”
Years later, however, Compass Box decided to find a loophole that would allow The Spice Tree to be born again. As such, coopers in France and Scotland created a hybrid cask with American oak staves and a French oak head. These casks impart the desired influence onto the whisky, whilst being “acceptable to even the most conservative of observers.”
Compass Box The Story of The Spaniard
Medal: Silver
Tasting Notes: Jammy poached pears, red wine, citrus peel, spices
BUY NOW: $45.95
Compass Box The Story of The Spaniard was initially created for The Spaniard Bar in New York City, paying homage to Spanish wine cask maturation.
According to Compass Box, “We decided to explore the sherried style further to create a whisky for our permanent range. Released in batches, with the batch number shown on the back label, The Story of The Spaniard is our tribute to Sherry’s broad spectrum of styles.”
The fact sheet for The Story of The Spaniard is extensive, as the makeup of the whisky varies by batch. I will list the breakdown of the contents of batch TS-2022 A which, according to the Compass Box website, is the most recent batch:
- Macduff Distillery First Fill Sherry Butt Single Malt, Marmalade, Toffee, Intensity – 23.9%
- Miltonduff Distillery First Fill Bourbon Barrel Single Malt, Malty, Fruity, Spicy – 2.6%
- Highland Malt Blend Custom French Oak Cask Very Heavy Toasted Blended Malt, Gingerbread, Cola Cubesm, Waxy Honey – 3.2%
- Linkwood Distillery Refill Puncheon ex-STR Single Malt, Red Fruits, Rich Spice, Vanilla – 4.7%
- Distillery Near The Town of Aberlour, Revatted First Fill Oloroso Sherry Seasoned Butt Single Malt, Red Fruits, Spice – 5.6%
- TSOTS 2021-A Remnant Blended Malt, Orchard Fruit, Oak Spice – 7.3%
- Miltonduff Distillery First Fill Bourbon Barrel Single Malt, Malty, Vanilla, Toffee – 9.5%
- Glendullan Distillery Revatted First Fill Oloroso Sherry Seasoned Butt Single Malt, Cherry, Wood Spice, Caramel – 11.1%
- Glen Moray First Fill Sherry Barrel Single Malt, Pears, Vanilla, Honey – 11.8%
- Linkwood Distillery First Fill Sherry Butt Single Malt, Fragrant Apple, Sultana – 20.3%
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