Bell’s No Age Statement ‘Original’ (40%, OB, +/-2009)

The nose is sweet and distinctly of grain whisky, it’s not overly complicated but pleasant without any off notes. Also some brown sugar, light citrus, pear and well, whisky. There are no aromas one would associate with age but there is a distinct lack of harshness one would usually associate with youth. The taste is much like the nose, sweet, pleasant and not overly complicated but starts to broaden after a short while and the grain is quite evident. Once again there are no off notes and it’s not overly complicated but it’s surprisingly good and it’s quite evident why many, many people enjoy it. The finish is not overly long and once again it’s not complicated with the grain sweetness being in full effect. After a few minutes the grain expands to reveal some raw tobacco and some leather but these last two descriptors are very light.

Actually a very well balanced dram with lots of flavour and sweetness and whisky, not the most complicated blended Scotch whisky on the market but certainly worth the money; this is going to be sprung on friends, blind. It does the job, a bit of a surprise here, has the recipe been tinkered with? It’s certainly not the same whisky for years ago or perhaps it’s merely a change in palate.

C$25

Score 80 Points

Some quick searching on google revealed that this new no age statement bottling of Bell’s was introduced in 2008 replacing the Bell’s 8yo to much disappointment and angst of loyal Bell’s drinkers who declared the new whisky to be ‘harsh’. It seems they’ve been heard becasue this bottling is not harsh. – WI

At Whisky Intelligence we do not drag out the garlic juice, 1,000,000 candle power arc lights and wooden stakes at the first sign of a blended whisky and generally celebrate them while recognizing the economics of the situation that without blended whiskies there wouldn’t be any single malts. During the next few days we’ll be examining a few blended whiskies but next week it’ll be back to the malts!