Blended scotch whiskies, as usual, performed well at the 2025 International Whisky Competition. From long-aged sherry cask finishes to modern twists with smoky and sweet influences, these whiskies show the full scope of what blending can achieve.
In this article, we look at each category winner. We explore how the whisky is made, the heritage of the brands behind them, and tasting notes.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky
1st Place: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Old – 95.94 pts
Tasting Notes: Rich and honeyed nose with leather, vanilla fudge, nougat, baking spices, nuts, and banana candy. Palate is mellow yet rich with caramel, vanilla fudge, cinnamon, and black pepper. Finish is silky smooth with lingering caramel, fudge, and cinnamon.
BUY NOW: From $90
Dewar’s had a big year. Its Double Double 21 not only won Best Blended Scotch overall, it also topped the 19–24 Year Old category at the International Whisky Competition 2025.
The whisky owes its character to a unique four-stage “double double” process designed by Master Blender Stephanie Macleod. Malts and grains are matured on their own. They are blended and rested again. The final marriage then gets a long Oloroso sherry cask finish.
The result is a whisky that is both layered and silky, bottled at 46% ABV. Dewar’s has been around since 1846, and while its White Label blend made the brand a household name, the Double Double series shows how far blending can go when patience and creativity meet.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky 12 Year Old
1st Place: Imperial Blended Scotch 12 Year Old – 88.45 pts
Tasting Notes: Fresh and floral nose of white flowers and pear. A palate that starts with espresso and dark chocolate, then turns to pear sweetness with dessert-like richness and baking spice on the finish.
BUY NOW: From $18.99
Imperial 12 may not be a household name everywhere, but in South Korea it has been a symbol of status since its launch in 1994. The brand, now owned by Sazerac, was built around smooth blends that appeal to refined tastes. Its 12 Year Old is made from Highland malts and grains and bottled at 40% ABV.
What makes it special is balance. A fresh and floral aroma gives way to richer flavors of coffee and cocoa. Then it finishes on soft spice. It’s an elegant expression that reflects why Imperial has become such a force in Asia.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky 15 Year Old
1st Place: Chivas Regal XV Blended Scotch Whiskey – 88.52 pts
Tasting Notes: Nose of stewed red apples, orange marmalade, honey, cinnamon, and juicy sultanas. Palate of poached pears, butterscotch, and caramel toffee. Finish rounded with soft vanilla.
BUY NOW: From $46
Chivas Regal knows how to make a statement, and Chivas XV proves it. Launched in 2018, this 15-year-old blend takes a creative detour by finishing part of the whisky in French Grande Champagne Cognac casks. That extra step brings a burst of orchard fruit and indulgent sweetness.
Master Blender Sandy Hyslop designed it to capture the energy of celebration. At 40% ABV, it is approachable, versatile, and easy to enjoy neat or in a cocktail.
Chivas has been blending since the 19th century, with Strathisla distillery at the core of its style. XV continues that tradition while showing how Scotch can adapt to modern tastes.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky 16-17 Year Old
1st Place: Dewar’s 16 Years Old – 89.66 pts
Tasting Notes: Fusion of apricots with honey, cinnamon, and cloves, entwined with wisps of smoke. Palate of grilled peaches, toffee-d nuts, silky caramel, orchard fruits, with lingering smoke and roasted malt finish.
BUY NOW: From $100
If Dewar’s 21 shows elegance, the 16 Double Agent shows playfulness. This whisky was created as a “sweet and smoky” experience. After the usual double-ageing, the blend is split. Half rests in Oloroso sherry casks.
The other half gets time in smoky Islay whisky casks. The two sides then come back together in the final blend.
It is bottled at 40% ABV and offers both richness and gentle smoke. The contrast works beautifully. Sweet fruits and caramel dance alongside wisps of peat. It’s an example of Dewar’s willingness to experiment while still staying true to its smooth house style.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky 18 Year Old
1st Place: Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky – 89.50 pts
Tasting Notes: Nose of dried fruits, buttery toffee, dark chocolate, and spice. Palate that is smooth and chocolatey with floral notes and a touch of smoke. Finish is long, warm, and satisfying.
BUY NOW: From $65
Chivas Regal 18 is a classic. Created by Master Blender Colin Scott, it brings together more than 20 malt and grain whiskies, each at least 18 years old. Many are from Speyside, with Strathisla at the heart. The blend matures mainly in American oak, with some sherry influence, and is bottled at 40% ABV.
Chivas likes to say there are 85 flavor notes in every drop. That might sound bold, but one sip shows how layered this whisky is. Dark chocolate, dried fruits, and a touch of smoke make it rich and complex. First released in the late 1990s, it remains a benchmark for luxury blends, and is surprisingly affordable for an 18-year-old. This is the kind of bottle I like to keep on hand.
Best Blended Scotch Whisky Over 25 Years Old
1st: Place Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Old – 94.29 pts
Tasting Notes: Rich treacle notes with a hint of smoke, followed by dark dried fruits, leather, and orange peel. Silky smooth finish.
For those who enjoy something rare, Dewar’s Double Double 32 delivers. It goes through the same four-stage maturation process as the 21, but the final flourish is a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask finish. It has all the richness you would expect from PX influence.
Launched in 2019, this whisky has picked up major awards time and time again, including World Whisky of the Year at IWC 2020. In 2025, it proved again why age and craftsmanship matter. Treacle, dried fruits, and leather make it decadent. The silky finish seals it as a whisky worth savoring.
Final Thoughts
This year’s winners show how much variety exists in blended scotch.
If you were judging the IWC, which blended scotch whisky would take the top spot? Let us know in the comments below.
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