Bell's Original

Bell's Original, NAS, 40 %

2014-10-26 17.04.05

This review puts the spotlight on the very popular blend Bell's Original.  The main malt whisky component in the Bell's Original is from Blair Athol, with other malt whiskies including Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Dufftown and Inchgower. The Bell's company dates back to 1825, and their signature blend came about in the 1850s. That's quite an impressive history.

Today Bell's original is one of the highest selling blended whiskies in the world. So far this year it is the 5th best selling whisky in Norway, behind Famous Grouse, Jameson, Peter Dawson Special, and Upper Ten.

You can buy Bell's Original in Norway at NOK 330 (item number 12001), and in Sweden at SEK 240 (item number 406).

Nose (20/25): Caramel, vanilla, barley and ripe banana. There's a whiff of smoke here, hinting at the Islay component in the blend. Something floral appears after a while.

Taste (18/25): Pepper, caramel, banana (again) and perfume. The mouth feel is rather thin, almost watery.

Finish (17/25): Heavier on the perfume now, more flowers and herbs. Ginger, cinnamon, oranges, vanilla and ... wait for it ... banana! Notes of burnt toast, smoke and something slightly bitter towards the end. Quite short on the finish.

Balance (18/25): I guess my picture of the bottle is quite telling. This is the sort of reasonably priced blend that you might find in the liquor cabinets in the homes of many people that do not necessarily regard themselves as whisky drinkers. It's an easy dram, well suited for cocktails or for large tumblers with a couple of ice cubes.

Score (73/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas