Is single malt better than blended whisky?

The older the whisky, the better it is; truly good whisky comes from Scotland; single malts taste better than blends—there are plenty of statements like these in the whisky world. But what’s true? And what’s nonsense? I asked whisky expert Sietse Offringa. This week: is single malt whisky better than blended whisky?

Sietse: “Taste is always personal. Blended whiskies are a mix of whiskies from different distilleries and different types of grain. Single malts come from one distillery and are made from one type of grain (malted barley). Blends are much more consistent because the whisky maker can use more casks to blend the same product. With malts, you generally see greater differences.”

“That’s of course also part of their appeal: Scotch single malts were introduced as artisanal, aged, exclusive whiskies to justify the higher price. That has stuck with people. But in the end, it has less to do with good or bad and much more to do with taste. They’re made very differently, just like wine and champagne.”

Read also:

• Does truly good whisky only come from Scotland?
• Is older whisky always better?
• Buying whisky by taste? Here’s how