Make your own blend

I've red an article on this in Whisky Mag or Whisky Advocate I think a couple of months ago. I can't remember the issue (I'm looking to find it).

@tjb Check out what Ralfy has to say, if you haven't seen this already: www.youtube.com/watch

and our very own @markjedi1 www.youtube.com/watch

If you end up going ahead with it, please let us know how it went!

@systemdown cheers for the plug. I am currently also creating my own blend from left over whisky samples, choosing them carefully. I cannot say too much about it yet, but will surely let you know once my concoction is to my liking. I simply took a two-liter container (empty water bottle) and started collecting some whiskies in there which I think would match for a good blend. It will be a unique blended malt, containing over 50 single malt Scotches. Keep you posted!

@markjedi1 Your DIY blend sounds fantastic! I'm experimenting with a solera bottle and it's great fun to sample it every now and again and tweak it as necessary. Look forward to an update (and will you disclose the contents of your blend?). Cheers!

@markjedi1 It's a good idea. I am keen to try it but will do some more research first. I worry that if I just randomly blend it will be like mine sweeping. I will work on the definition of the result I want and then work on the process. I think I will have to keep trying new malts and blends to help me on my road to enlightenment. It's a tough job but I think I am up for the task.

@markjedi1 This is just a guess but might your concoction possibly have some Auchentoshan in it. LOL. :)

I don't trust myself with DIY blends yet, but I've had two experiments that turned out surprisingly well.

I thought I'd try blending my three least favorite whiskies in my cabinet to see if the end result would be better than its individual parts. Into a 200ml bottle, I poured two parts Auchentoshan Classic, two parts Dalmore 12 (which is no longer among my least favorites), and, because I thought a grainy blend might help smooth things over, one part of JW Red. After letting it sit for a couple of weeks, it tasted awful. After a few months, it wasn't bad at all. The rich maltiness of the Dalmore dominates, while the sharpness of the Auchentoshan helps mask some of the Dalmore's waxy qualities. I don't know what the JW Red does, but it's not doing anything offensive. It's not a stunner -- I'd rate it in the low 80s at best -- but it's mostly successful in its intended purpose.

Next, I received a three-bottle sampler package for Christmas, with 200ml bottles of Lagavulin 16, Talisker 10, and Cragganmore 12. I had 750ml bottles of each already in my collection, but it was nice to have a little replenishment supply. I thought that my larger bottle of Laga 16, about 60% empty, had gone a bit flat, so I took a risk and poured in the contents of the 200ml bottle. It came alive again, the peat zing returned, and I think I now have the best-tasting bottle of Laga 16 I've ever tried. Chalk one up to serendipity.

@markjedi1 I watched your YouTube video and think you make some good points. Thanks to @systemdown for both links, I think I will make my own blend later this year and will post my thoughts. I am interested that mark recommends time to let it settle and the flavours to marry and will take this on board. I figure I should try it once. The price is slightly prohibitive as I can get a really nice bottle for the same kind of money.

I would be interested to hear the thoughts of anyone who has already blended either on line or at home. I also await marks 50 + blend superior. Sounds like it will be extremely complex and potentially mind blowing.