Dewar’s Is The Greatest Blended Scotch Whisky In accordance To The Worldwide Whisky Competitors 2024

The International Whisky Competition (IWC) attracts hundreds of entries yearly, with every model hoping to clinch a coveted gold medal. Every spirit that’s awarded over 85 factors is eligible for a medal, with every class awarding a 1st, 2nd, and third place. 

I’ve typically spoken about my affection for blended scotch whisky and the experience that goes into crafting the proper mix. So, as we speak I believed I’d run via the winners of every class of blended scotch. You probably have seen the thumbnail, you’ll know that Dewar’s achieved a clear sweep. Let’s speak in regards to the award-winning whiskies. 

Dewar’s ‘Double Double’ 4-Stage Growing older Course of

Earlier than we dive in, you’ll discover the phrases ‘Double Double’ seem lots on this article. The ‘Double Double’ vary is a set of blended scotch produced by John Dewar & Sons utilizing a singular four-stage ageing course of pioneered by Grasp Blender, Stephanie Macleod, in 2019. 

The 4 phases within the course of are as follows: 

1. Single malt scotch and single grain scotch whiskies are matured in separate oak casks till they attain the specified age. 
2. All the single malt scotch whiskies are blended collectively (married) and laid again down in a impartial (exhausted) oak cask. The only grain whiskies endure the identical therapy. 
3. The only malt and single grain whiskies are blended collectively and aged but once more in a impartial oak cask.
4. Lastly, the blended whisky undergoes a ending interval of as much as 12 months in sherry casks. 

In keeping with Dewar’s, the ‘Double Double’ course of leads to “most smoothness and has achieved nice success on this planet of whisky.” 

Greatest Blended Scotch 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 37 Years Outdated – 96.37 factors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Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Outdated – 95.46 factors, Dewar’s Double Double 32 Years Outdated – 95.36 factors

Dewar’s Double Double 37 Yr Outdated is a restricted version launch from the long-lasting blended scotch model. Like each different bottle within the ‘Double Double’ vary, the 37 Yr Outdated is matured utilizing Dewar’s distinctive 4-stage ageing course of. 

This specific mix was completed in Oloroso sherry casks that had beforehand matured Aultmore single malt. It is a nod to the Speyside area, which is famed for its sherried whiskies. 

The restricted version whisky was launched in 2019, in the identical 12 months that the ‘Double Double’ vary was launched. The placing bottle comes accompanied by two Baccarat Massena crystal tumblers with the intention to pattern the 37 Yr Outdated in type. 

Two variants have been launched, one 375ml and one 700ml. 

Dewar’s Double Double 37 Yr Outdated not solely received the general title of ‘Greatest Blended Scotch’ on the 2024 Worldwide Whisky Competitors, it was additionally named ‘Greatest Blended Scotch Over 30 Years’, as you may see on the backside of this text. 

Two different Dewar’s ‘Double Double’ expressions have been named runners-up on this class: the 21 Yr Outdated and the 32 Yr Outdated. 

Greatest Blended Scotch 12 Yr Outdated 

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

The Dewar’s 12 Yr Outdated was named ‘Greatest Blended Scotch 12 Yr Outdated’ on the IWC in 2024. This whisky was created by Dewar’s earlier Grasp Blender, Tom Aitken, as an homage to Dewar’s signature Blended Scotch Whisky created over 100 years in the past. 

The entry-level mix is easy, herbaceous, and excellent to be used in a whisky highball (I communicate from expertise). 

While the 12 Yr Outdated isn’t a part of the ‘Double Double’ vary, it nonetheless “double aged for additional smoothness”. This course of includes the preliminary separate mixing of the one malt and single grain whiskies for 12 years. Then, the whisky is mixed and married collectively earlier than bottling. 

Chivas Regal 12 Yr Outdated and the Imperial 12 Yr Outdated got here second and third respectively. 

Greatest Blended Scotch 13-19 Yr Outdated 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s 16 Years Outdated – 88.9 Pts
Tasting Notes: Luscious ripe apricots, honey, cinnamon, cloves, spice
BUY NOW: Journey retail unique, restricted quantity out there from the Aberfeldy Distillery
Runners Up: Dewar’s 18 Years Outdated – 86.76 factors, Chivas Regal XV – Blended Scotch Whisky – 86.07 factors

Dewar’s 16 Yr Outdated Double Agent clinched gold for the class of ‘Greatest Blended Scotch 13-19 Yr Outdated’. This whisky, because the identify would recommend, has been subjected to 2 very various kinds of cask finishes previous to marrying. 

After present process the principal double ageing course of, ‘Double Agent’ is separated into two batches for 2 separate ending durations: one in candy sherry casks, and one in smoky Islay casks. Then, the whisky is mixed again collectively to create a mix that’s completely balanced between sweetness and smoke. 

The 16 Yr Outdated Double Agent is a journey retail unique, however a small quantity can be found to buy from the Aberfeldy Distillery in Scotland for £75 (~£98). 

Dewar’s achieved yet one more second-place end on this class with the 18 Yr Outdated, and Chivas Regal XV took bronze. 

Greatest Blended Scotch 20-24 Yr Outdated 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Outdated – 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 Outdated Magma Toast degree 1 completed in French oak casks – 95.22 factors, Dewar’s Double Double 21 Years Outdated Magma Toast degree 1 completed in American Oak – 94.86 factors 

Again to ‘Double Double’ now, and the 21 Yr Outdated received gold within the ‘20-24 Yr Outdated’ class. 

Following the particular maturation course of, the 21 Yr Outdated blended scotch was completed in Oloroso sherry casks, imparting candy sherry and notes of heat spices to the mix. 

The Dewar’s Double Double 21 Yr Outdated is persistently awarded and was beforehand named ‘World’s Greatest Blended Scotch’ on the 2021 World Whiskies Awards. 

Dewar’s took the runners-up spots but once more on this class, with two extra 21 Yr Olds displaying two completely different cask finishes. One whisky was completed in French oak and the opposite in American oak. 

Greatest Blended Scotch 25-30 Yr Outdated 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 26 Years Outdated – 94.95 Pts
Tasting Notes: Floral notes, honeyed fruits, delicate spice
BUY NOW: Journey retail unique
Runners Up: Dewar’s Double Double 30 Years Outdated – 94.34 factors, Dewar’s Double Double 27 Years Outdated – 93.54 factors 

This Dewar’s Double Double 26 Yr Outdated is one other journey retail unique, which means that solely a choose few will get the prospect to do that award-winning dram. 

The ending interval was carried out in a extra experimental sherry cask, Palo Cortado. While Palo Cortado is utilized in whisky maturation, it’s a a lot rarer end than Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez, for instance. Palo Cortado is, in itself, a uncommon sort of sherry. It’s dry and completely balances the candy aroma of Amontillado sherry with the full-bodied nature of Oloroso.

The 16 Yr Outdated continues to be out there in chosen airports together with London Heathrow for £238.49 (~$315).  

Greatest Blended Scotch Over 30 Yr Outdated 

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Dewar’s Double Double 37 Years Outdated – 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 Outdated – 95.36 factors, Dewar’s Double Double 36 Years Outdated – 94.01 factors 

Lastly, we come full circle again to the Dewar’s Double Double 37 Yr Outdated, a two-time gold medal winner in 2024.  

On this class, the 32 Yr Outdated and the 36 Yr Outdated Double Doubles have been runners-up. 

Dewar’s Clear Sweep 

Given Dewar’s legendary clear sweep within the blended scotch classes at this 12 months’s IWC, it’s no surprise that the model claims to be essentially the most awarded blended scotch on this planet. The vary now has over 1,000 accolades to its identify. 

In recognition of Dewar’s unbelievable whiskies, Grasp Blender, Stephanie Macleod, was just lately named ‘Grasp Blender of the Yr’ by the Worldwide Whisky Competitors for a record-breaking sixth consecutive time. 

Stephanie can also be the Malt Grasp for the one malt distilleries below Dewar’s portfolio: Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron. In 2024, the Aultmore 25 Yr Outdated was named ‘Whisky of the Yr’ on the IWC.