30-07-2025
The World's Best Blended Scotch Whiskeys For Under $50-According To Experts
The five best blended Scotch whiskies for under $50 according to the 2025 San Fransisco World Spirit Competition. Sophia Lindenberger
When it comes to Scotch whisky, blended bottles often get overshadowed by their single malt cousins. But that does a disservice to a category with deep roots and global reach. Blended Scotch has a long and proud history, dating back to the 19th century when merchants like Johnnie Walker and Chivas brothers began combining single malts and grain whiskies from different distilleries to create more consistent and approachable spirits. Today, blended Scotch remains the most widely consumed style of Scotch whisky in the world—accounting for roughly 90% of all Scotch sold globally.
While it's not hard to lay your hand on a great blended scotch, there are tons of them out there, the best resemble their single malt relatives in carrying triple digit price tags. But as is often the case, a lower price tag doesn't quantify a lower quality liquid. You can score a fantastic, blended scotch cheaply if you know where to look.
The San Francisco World Spirit Competition just released its list of the Best Blended Scotch Whisky Under $50 from its 2025 judging. All five of these bottles were awarded a Double Gold medal, its highest accolade, for scoring 97 points. If you're looking for elite flavor without the premium markup, these are the bottles worth tracking down.
Launched a few years ago as part of a luxury lifestyle brand, D'YAVOL may seem like style over substance, but you couldn't be more wrong. This whisky proves otherwise. Made from a blend of unpeated and single grain whiskies from the Lowlands, Highlands, and Speyside, with peated Islay whiskies, VORTEX is bold, balanced, and full of personality. Expect layers of toffee, dried fruit, and spice, with a rich mouthfeel and long finish. It's a blend that punches above its price point and shows that a newcomer can compete with the established heavyweights.
One of the most affordable on the list, High Commissioner is a no-frills blend from Loch Lomond Group that has quietly built a reputation for solid quality. It is a highly popular scotch whisky in the United Kingdom that is valued for delivering a consistently high-quality sip with every pour. It offers notes of sweet grain, honey, and light oak with a smooth and clean finish, making it an excellent everyday pour or cocktail base. What it lacks in pedigree, it makes up for in sheer drinkability.
Formerly known as Naked Grouse (it was a line extension from The Famous Grouse), this is a thoroughly modern scotch that perfectly highlights the complexity that often is found in a great blend. By taking a blend of premium single malts, including Macallan, Highland Park, and Glenturret, and maturing it in first-fill sherry casks, they create a rich, full-flavored whisky. Naked Malt brings depth and a velvety texture, with notes of dried fruit, cocoa, and baking spice. It's the perfect dram for fans of sherry-forward whiskies who want something polished but accessible. The name may have changed, but the quality remains high. Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch
This cult favorite has long been the bartender's choice for blended malt, and for good reason. Crafted from a mix of Speyside single malts, Monkey Shoulder has been pulling in major accolades since its launch in 2005. It is a smooth, approachable, and versatile whisky that consistently delivers. On the palate, it offers vanilla, citrus, malt, and a subtle creaminess. It's as good, neat as it is in a Rob Roy or Penicillin, making it one of the most flexible whiskies on the shelf. Noble Rebel Smoke Symphony Blended Malt Scotch
The most adventurous of the bunch, Smoke Symphony comes from the Noble Rebel line, a new project by Loch Lomond Distillers. Designed to push boundaries, this scotch is made from a blend of single malts concocted under the watchful eye of Master Blender Michael Henry. This blend marries peat smoke with orchard fruit, toasted oak, and subtle spice. It's a contemporary take on smoky whisky, offering complexity without overwhelming your senses. For those who want a hint of Islay-style character in a refined Highland package, this is a top pick.
Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The 8 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Under $100 In 2025—According To Experts By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far), According To Spirits Competitions By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes How To Read A Bourbon Label By Hudson Lindenberger
