When an independent bottler releases a blended malt, it can mean one of two things. First, it might be a true blended malt-a carefully crafted combination of single malts sourced from different distilleries, skilfully married to create a unique flavour profile. Alternatively, it could be what’s known as a ’teaspooned’ single malt. In this scenario, and as we’ve already mentioned in the past, the original distillery, wishing to keep its name under wraps, adds a tiny amount – just a teaspoon – of another single malt to the cask. This minuscule addition is enough to legally classify the whisky as a blended malt, even though it has virtually no effect on the taste. In some cases, that ’teaspoon’ might be purely virtual – a symbolic gesture rather than a physical addition – used solely to navigate labelling regulations without altering the whisky itself.
Today on our tasting table, we have two intriguing Campbeltown Blended Malts: one from Swell de Spirits and another from Chorlton Whisky. Let’s dive in, savour each dram, and see if we can guess what’s really in the glass!
Secret Campbeltown Blended Malt Swell de Spirits (2024) Review
We start with my compatriots at Swell de Spirits and their Campbeltown Blended Malt, the second release in their Easy Peasy series. They distilled it in March 2017 and bottled it in May 2024 at seven years old. Although labelled a blended malt, this whisky is actually a teaspooned single malt from a secret Campbeltown distillery that J&A Mitchell & Company does not own, so that should help narrow down your guesses. The cask produced 412 bottles in Swell de Spirits’ signature 50 cl size, bottled at a robust 50.9% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. You can still find this release in France for just under €70.
Colour:
Pale gold
Nose:
Neat: The nose shows a slightly sharp and buttery character, with hints of lemon reminiscent of a lemon and orange blossom madeleine cake, accompanied by a touch of oyster water. You can also detect a faint rubber note, similar to dry children’s rubber boots, along with sea breeze and chocolate shavings.
With water: Adding water brings out more maritime qualities, including seaweed and ocean spray, as well as thick, slightly salty pastry cream.
Palate:
Neat: the palate opens with flavours of beeswax candles and warm spices, alongside some woody notes. The mouthfeel feels warm and creamy, with a very light astringency. You can also taste a salty and peppery herbaceousness, reminiscent of nasturtiums and grains of salt seasoning crisp celery. There are subtle hints of vanilla, orange, and raspberry.
With water: Reduction adds a citrusy sharpness, featuring charred lemons as if grilled over a barbecue, more wax, and a pleasant peppery warmth.
Finish:
The finish lasts a medium length, with lingering notes of honeyed gingerbread, salt and pepper, dark chocolate shavings, and a faint woody character.
Comments:
Lovely secret Glen Sc… oops, I nearly revealed the secret distillery responsible for 99.99% of this blended malt. The youthful character comes through in the sharpness of the nose, but overall, this whisky tastes very pleasant, with an ABV that suits relaxed sipping. The price feels a little high for a 50 cl, 7-year-old secret Campbeltown, but it remains a very good dram.
Rating: 7/10
Campbeltown Blended Malt 10-year-old Chorlton Whisky (2024) Review
Next, we present a 10-year-old Campbeltown Blended Malt from Chorlton Whisky. This whisky primarily features Glen Scotia with a little bit of Springbank (Chorlton Whisky’s words, though it may be just a teaspoon like the Swell de Spirits). They released it in July 2024. This single cask, a hogshead, yielded 323 bottles at 58% ABV. As usual, it contains no chill filtration or added colouring. It remains available for under €70 at the Whiskybase shop and €85 in Italy, for instance.
Colour:
Pale straw
Nose:
Neat: Initially, the nose appears a little shy, but I can still detect menthol, light smoke, some floral perfume, hints of camphor, and fumes from an old car.
With water: Reduction reveals a very light mango scent, but the nose becomes a bit subdued after a few moments.
Palate:
Neat: The arrival offers citrus and peat, with a thick, creamy mouthfeel. It presents various lemon notes, warm gingerbread, camphor, peaches in syrup, rice pudding with caramel and a few raisins, and a pleasant astringency. Wood spices, along with a touch of salt and pepper, emerge. It also features thick custard and cream puffs.
With water: Reduction brings a nice spiciness, with some wood bitterness, a hint of grapefruit, and bay leaf.
Finish:
The astringency intensifies slightly, with dark chocolate, a ristretto crema from an Italian café, and a salty, smoky woodiness that lingers for a good length of time.
Comments:
This Campbeltown 10-year-old from Chorlton is another very good blended malt, and very probably a Glen Scotia with a teaspoon of Springbank in it. I enjoyed the camphor and fumes on the nose, with the camphor also present on the palate, accompanied by a pleasant blend of vanilla and lemon flavours.
Rating: 7/10
Thanks Mathieu! Bottle pictures courtesy of Whiskybase. The featured image uses a picture courtesy of the Campbeltown Courier.
Edit 14/5/2025 3pm: Slightly edited to make clearer that the Chorlton is probably a teaspooned GS with a little bit of Springbank.