Today I look at an affordable brand with a memorable catchphrase. It was also my dad’s every day drinking whisky. So it has been around for quite a while; the Bell’s blended Scotch whisky.
An advert aired in SA round 2014 showed an elderly gentleman in his ambition to learn to read. Throughout the commercial, viewers watch the lead character attend reading classes, spell messages of devotion to his wife using fridge magnets, and play scrabble with his friends.
Ultimately, his motivation is to read the book his son has written. As he gives his son the news he has, at last, read his book, his jubilant son remarks, “Give that man a Bell’s”.
This catchphrase has become part of SA social culture. If someone achieves something extraordinary, people will comment, “Give that man a Bell’s”.
In 1851, Perth based Arthur Bell began to blend various single malts to create a more consistent blended whisky. His two sons, Robert and Arthur, joined the business in partnership in 1895.
By the 1880s, the company was focused on blended whisky. At the end of Prohibition in America, there was a sudden surge in demand, and Arthur Bell & Sons acquired Blair Athol and Dufftown distilleries in 1933.
In 1936 they added the Inchgower distillery to the portfolio. By 1970, Bell’s was the highest-selling whisky in Scotland. Today the brand still has significant market shares in the UK, South Africa, the Nordic countries, Spain and Brazil.
In 1994, an 8 year old age statement was added. It was at a time when there was a surplus of mature Scotch whisky. But in 2008, the supply of mature whisky became a problem, and the age statement was removed.
Bell’s is also known for the ceramic bell-shaped decanters that it released for special occasions such as Charles & Diana’s wedding and Christmas. 
There is a Bell’s Special Reserve that is (was) available in SA. Bell’s is a blend of about 40 grain and malt whiskies. It includes whisky from all around Scotland, including Dufftown, Inchgower, Glenkinchie and Caol Ila.
These are all blended with Blair Athol’s malt. Bell’s is a brand of blended whisky initially produced by Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd and now owned by Diageo.
Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Amber-gold
NOSE: A few alcohol notes that need a few minutes to dissipate. After the alcohol evaporates, there is a fruity sweetness, gentle spice with cereal bits. Hints of shortbread and grain.
PALATE: Not as sweet as the nose. Notes of malt, oak, pepper and apricots. The Bell’s blended whisky has a medium body. Some alcohol heat. A few drops of water soften the pepper and alcohol notes and bring more fruity sweetness to the front. I managed to finish the glass with no trouble. The Bell’s whisky is not the most complex dram, but never the less drinkable.
FINISH: Medium long finish. End in notes of pepper and citrus.
RATING: VERY GOOD
The moment I opened the bottle, it brought back so many memories. There was always a bottle of Bell’s in the house growing up, and it was my dad’s regular drinking whisky. His special occasion whisky was the Chivas or the Dimple. The nose immediately reminded me of his glass of whisky.
Also, when we were sick, my mother would make us a remedy of hot milk with sugar and a shot of whisky. The whisky she used was always the Bell’s, and the moment I tasted it, I had clear memories of drinking it with the hot milk in bed.
It was not as sticky sweet, or harsh as the Black & White whisky I had a few weeks ago; quite drinkable, actually. For the price point, it is not a bad buy. What makes this whisky unique, for me, is all the cherished childhood memories that it brings back.
For that alone, it deserves a place in my whisky collection. In South Africa, this blend retails for around R210 and is widely available.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish whisky
Michael
Yesterday I bought a quarter of whisky from Asda, when I opened it and made myself a drink. (Natural nothing but whisky), the taste was not the same as normal. It tastes of chilly, to such extent i couldn’t even drink it. What am i to do. I think to take it to the police, for I strongly believe there is something other than whisky inside it. Not only from the taste but also from the feel.That feels like meditation, more so the next day. When I bought it in the big Asda in Swinton Manchester.The bottle had a security lock on it and the only time the bottle was taken out my sight, was when the woman tuck the security lock off. Any whisky drinkers who drank this whisky, whould say its not the same whisky. Iv sent u a photo of the back of the bottle and the front of the bottle. Where u will find the numbers. Maybe you can look to see if there in order. U don’t won’t imitation getting on to your Whisky trale, It was yesterday I bought the whisky, can u see if the numbers are in order, and advice me as to what I should do. Because I cannot drink it. And wouldn’t. Its not what it should be. Thank you Michael.
KEV LUCOCK
Micheal,
As a fellow Bell’s fan I can totally agree with your comments. I’m so disappointed with this whisky I no longer buy it. The transformation started a few years back when I first noticed the difference. I sent a bottle back to the distillery informing them I think I had stumbled on a counterfeit being sold by a well known outlet. They informed the bottle was genuine.
Apart from the taste you could tell the difference by the colour. The new nasty tasting blend was a lot lighter in colour and I learned to buy by sight. Ultimately I can no longer find the older blend and no longer buy it as I find it unpalatable. Teachers used to be a close replica of Bell’s but I can’t find a place that sells that now.
Kev
Marc Shaw
I love a dram or 6 of bells as a regular whisky.
Nice and cheap yet always pleasant.
Very relaxing when sipped while smoking a pipe…the tobacco and the whisky compliment each other nicely.
I really love a good single malt but the price is prohibitive.
I have tried many other cheaper whiskies but find that good old bells hits the spot…and my old man was a bells drinker and a saint Bruno smoker when I was young.
So I guess that it reminds me of those safe times growing up.
I also like to keep my pipe tobacco moist with a drip of bells..really enhanced the flavour and aroma.
All in all…My favourite relaxants..bells and st bruno.