I recently came across Sheep Dip blended malt Scotch whisky online, and the label and name immediately caught my eye. Who wouldn’t want to try something called “Sheep Dip”? The name alone makes the whisky intriguing. The label is also very different from the standard whisky bottles.
Sheep Dip is a blend of 16 different single malts from across Scotland, featuring whisky from the Highlands blended with softer Speyside malts and a few Islay malt for the smoke.
The story behind the name “Sheep Dip” adds to the charm. Sheep dip is an insecticide used to delouse sheep before shearing, but there are a couple of legends about why it was chosen for this whisky. According to one account, farmers used the name “Sheep Dip” to disguise cases of whisky on their books, allowing them to slip past accountants.
Another story suggests farmers stored homemade whisky in barrels labelled “Sheep Dip” to avoid taxes. Whichever tale is accurate, the quirky name has undoubtedly made it memorable.
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Sheep Dip was first bottled around 1974 by a farmer in Gloucestershire as his pub’s house whisky under the name The Original Oldbury Sheep Dip. The brand gained popularity by word of mouth, eventually catching the attention of George Morton Ltd.
The brand changed hands multiple times over time. In 1993, it became part of Whyte & Mackay’s portfolio, but when their Chief Operating Officer, Alex Nicol, left to start Spencerfield Spirits Company in 2005, he managed to take Sheep Dip with him.
In 2016, Spencerfield Spirits Company was acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers, who still owns Sheep Dip whisky brand today. Ian Macleod’s portfolio also includes Glengoyne and Tamdhu distilleries and the Smokehead and Langs whisky brands.
Sheep Dip Blended Malt Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Golden copper
NOSE: The aroma is soft and balanced, with sweet malt and honey accented by fruity notes. There’s a hint of sea spray over nougat, along with vanilla, a trace of smoke, and lemon blossoms.
PALATE: The palate brings forward the sweet, malty flavours from the nose, with malt biscuit sweetness, toffee, and a delicate floral note. A touch of smoke and wood adds depth, with vanilla and a warming hint of nutmeg. Water tends to mute the flavours, so it’s best enjoyed neat.
FINISH: Medium length, leaving lingering notes of malt and salted caramel.
RATING: VERY GOOD
Sheep Dip turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It’s smooth and easy to drink, with gentle smoke and a nice sweetness. While it likely includes some younger whisky in the blend, Sheep Dip is enjoyable without being overly complex. It’s a fun dram with a playful label that I’m glad to have tried. It reminded me a bit of the Clan Denny Islay Edition whisky. It had a similar taste profile with the delicious sweetness underlaying the smoke.
Sheep Dip is priced at around £25 and is available on Master of Malt. If you’re looking for a relaxed, drinkable blend with a bit of history, this one’s worth a try.
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