I’ve crossed paths with Lauder’s blended Scotch whisky before, but only recently gave it a proper taste. Its unique bottle design caught my eye—and its easy-drinking, budget-friendly character makes it a solid contender for everyday whisky drinking.
A good friend’s mom from Slovakia sent me a bottle of this whisky to try. It is her go to whisky at home. The unique bottle shape and distinctive dents reminded me of the Dimple Pinch, piquing my curiosity.
Lauder’s blended Scotch whisky dates back to 1834, making it one of the oldest Scotch whisky brands still in production. Archibald Lauder developed the original blend shortly after whisky distillation was legalised in 1815. Since then, Lauder’s has remained largely unchanged, staying true to its Glasgow roots.
Lauder crafted his blend to cater to Glaswegians’ preference for sweeter whisky. He refined the recipe based on feedback from patrons in his public houses, fine-tuning it until it met their tastes.
Lauder’s is a blend of aged grain whisky with select Highland, Lowland, and Speyside malts. The whisky is matured in oak barrels before blending, ensuring a well-balanced profile.
Today Lauder’s is owned by MacDuff International, a respected Scotch whisky blender known for brands such as Grand Macnish and Islay Mist whisky. The Lauder’s range extends beyond the standard bottling to include a Lauder’s Queen Mary, Oloroso Cask, Ruby Cask, a 15 year old edition, and even a 25 year old expression. It is available in many countries around the world.
The Lauder’s blended Scotch whisky reviewed here is a non-age-statement (NAS) release. It falls within the affordable category and is widely available in Europe. In Mauritius, it retails for approximately Rs 1200 and I have seen it in the UK for around £25.
Lauder’s Blended Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Amber
NOSE: The maltiness of the nose reminded me a bit of the White Horse whisky. I went to take out my bottle to check, and there was a similar malt note in both these budget blends. The Lauder’s nose brings vanilla, light spice, caramel sweetness, and a malted biscuit note. The nose is light and does not have a lot of depth.
PALATE: The palate was a lot spicier than I was expecting. The nose has some sweetness, but the palate brings lemon, pepper, and cardamom on the first sip. After standing a bit, it brings more floral and vanilla notes with hints of oak. Water brings sweetness to the forefront. It is light drinking with a thin texture and not complex.
FINISH: On the short end with notes of lemon pepper, herbs and light sweetness.
RATING: GOOD
Lauder’s blended whisky is an easy-drinking, affordable option for those seeking a smooth, inoffensive blend. When you add water, it delivers a pleasant balance of sweetness, floral notes, and spice, making it an accessible and affordable choice for beginners. While it lacks the complexity of higher-end blends, it remains a budget-friendly option for everyday enjoyment.
A good whisky for mixing in cocktails where the spiciness can compliment the other ingredients. I found a Lauder’s Daisy cocktail on Spiritly, in which the Scotch is shaken with lemon and lime juice. I think this will balance out the spicy and sweet aspects of the whisky very well.
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