Over the years, I have explored a variety of affordable whiskies, including releases from India like Signature Rare whisky and many well-known Scottish whiskies available worldwide. Continuing this journey, I’m now turning my attention to the White Horse Scotch blended whisky.
Growing up, a bottle of White Horse whisky was a staple in our household. My mother used it as a remedy for the flu. She mixed it with hot milk and sugar and gave it to us before bed.
The history of White Horse is entwined with Lagavulin and Craigellachie distilleries. In 1861, James L. Mackie acquired the Lagavulin Distillery from Alexander Graham. In 1878, James sent his nephew Peter to Lagavulin to learn the distilling trade.
By 1890, Peter had taken over the business and registered Mackie & Co Distillers. Shortly after, the newly built Craigellachie distillery joined the portfolio. The brand changed hands a few times and is now owned by Diageo.
White Horse blended whisky was introduced in 1891, with Lagavulin whisky as its base. The whisky is named after the White Horse Cellar Inn in Edinburgh, which is in the same area where the Mackie family lived.
This blend comprises around 40 whiskies, with malt whiskies making up 40% and grain whisky the remainder.
Also Read: Black Bottle Whisky
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Gold
NOSE: Toffee and grape sweetness. Hints of malt and freshly baked bread. Faint oak and smoky notes.
PALATE: The White Horse whisky has more spices on the palate than on the nose. Malt and pepper mix with soft peat, smoke, and faint hints of oak. In the background, there is a toffee sweetness and cardamom. Adding water releases more peppery notes.
FINISH: The finish is medium length with notes of toffee pepper and faint peat.
RATING: VERY GOOD
The Lagavulin portion is very faint. We got none of the iodine and bolder peaty notes I hoped would come through from Lagavulin.
It is smooth, drinkable, and inoffensive, with little complexity. At the price, it’s not a bad buy. It is probably my favourite blend from the really affordable category. It is not as sweet as some of the other affordable drams, but it is definitely nicer than something like the VAT 69 blended whisky or J&B whisky.
It will make a good base for cocktails. The White Horse whisky has enough body to stand up in a cocktail. This affordable blend retails for around $18 in the USA and a comparable price in the UK.
Also Read: Cutty Sark Whisky
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