John Walker & Sons King George V

John Walker & Sons King George V is a blended Scotch from John Walker & Sons, marrying malt whiskies for character with grain whisky for a smoother, lighter frame. Grain from distilleries such as the closed Port Dundas often forms the backbone of blends like this. Closed grain distilleries like Port Dundas lend rarity and depth to a blend like this.

A blended Scotch combines malt and grain whiskies of different ages and origins. Drawing on well aged stock, the malt lending depth while the grain gives a creamy, rounded base. Ex-Bourbon American oak shaped it, gentle wood that flatters light grain. Grain enters the cask light and clean, so the wood's character shows clearly against it. The blender's craft is to balance the parts into one whole.

Reduced to 43%, it is mellow. The malts bring honey, dried fruit and orchard sweetness, the grain a creamy vanilla and coconut, with the lactones add coconut, vanillin from the lignin gives vanilla, and a rich toffee and fudge note adding its own note. The mouthfeel is thick and oily, classic old grain. The finish is long, waxy and warming. A rounded, approachable blend in the house style.