Best big brand blended scotch whisky for your bar, based on your zodiac sign

India’s passion for malts from Caledonia has translated to a sea of bottles populating the aisles of alcohol stores. This ranges from a wallet-friendly sweet number that featured in numerous movies to an opulent sip crafted to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Needless to say, picking the perfect pour for your home bar can get tricky. Our recommendation? Taking cues from the cosmos. Here’s a ready reckoner of the best bottles of blended scotch — by popular brands — that deserve a spot in your whisky repertoire.

Although India only recently outdrank France to become the world’s largest market for Scottish usquebaugh — its discerning drinkers have long been turning to them for their on-the-rocks rituals. Of all the options on offer in stores, bottles featuring fusions — of casks, expressions, age statements, and production techniques — come out on top. Experts state that these tend to have a more consistent, balanced character than their single malt counterparts — in part due to the fact that their nature allows distillers room for experimentation.

Besides, they’re quite accessible, versatile, and wallet-friendly. However, choosing one is often a trial-and-error process. While some enjoy the punch of smoky numbers, others prefer fruitier drams. An easy way to bypass this predicament? Turning to the cosmos. Considering our zodiac signs point to our most dominant traits, astrology might be able to pick a bottle that would be the pride and joy of your home bar. Here’s a quick guide to the best blended scotch whisky bottles — by popular brands — to invest in, based on the stars.

Best blended scotch options by popular brands, zodiac edition

Aries: Compass Box The Spice Tree

The impulsive and courageous Aries would enjoy a scotch that can mirror their spunk. The Spice Tree by Compass Box fits the bill. Featuring Highland malts and aged in custom-made French and American oak casks — this blended number is rich and toasty. Right at the outset are whiffs of vanilla, pepper, and dried herbs. Every sip sings with notes of toffee, cloves, and ginger biscuits. The finish is big and punchy — as bold and zesty as this fire sign.

Price: INR 13,000 approx.

Taurus: Ballantine’s 21 Year Old

The grounded, sophisticated, luxury-loving Taurus would find a kindred spirit in the elegant and complex Ballantine’s 21 Year Old. From one of the world’s best-known scotch brands, this is a dependable, classic pick. Featuring a warming fusion of whiskies aged in European oak casks — it pours red-gold. Right at the outset are whiffs of oranges, apples, peaches, and flowers. Every sip, meanwhile, sings with notes of spice and liquorice. The finish is long with hits of dried fruit. Highly coveted and often saved for special occasions — a bottle would be a quality long-term investment for the forward-thinking Taurus.

Price: INR 12,000 approx.

Gemini: Black and White Scotch

The social and charming Gemini would best be complemented by a blended scotch that’s as popular as them. Enter, Black and White. This crowd-pleaser is a pop-culture favourite — having featured in movies like La Dolce Vita and Moonraker (James Bond). It was also the go-to for eminent figures like animator Walt Disney, actor Deal Paul Martin, and physicist Richard Feynman. Featuring the finest of Scotland’s ingredients and aged for about three years — it pours a pale gold and offers notes of peat, vanilla, honey, nuts, fruits, and oak. The finish, meanwhile, is sweet. The duality of the logo — featuring the much-loved black Scottish terrier and white West Highland terrier — reflects this air sign’s own duality that’s symbolised by the twins.

Price: INR 3,000 approx.

Cancer: Chivas XV

The nurturing and sensitive Cancer would prefer a scotch that makes them feel right at home. The carefully-crafted, indulgent Chivas XV fits the bill. Featuring the finest 15-year-old whiskies that are finished in French Oak and cognac casks — this delicious number pours a warm dark amber. Every sip of this delicious number sings with notes of ginger, honey, peach, caramel toffee, stewed apples, honey, sultanas and orange marmalade. This lends the whiskey a certain warmth that this comfort-seeking water sign would enjoy.

Price: INR 8,000 approx.

Leo: Royal Salute 21 Year Old

Nothing but the most luxurious, regal scotches would do for the royalty of the zodiac, Leo. Royal Salute 21-year-old lives up to this fire sign’s high standards. Featuring a fusion of the finest malts — this expression was created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. As such, it features a sapphire glaze that mirrors the gems on the Imperial State Crown. Every sip of this blended scotch is smooth and complex — with whiffs of sweet pears, orange, vanilla, sherry, smoke, and autumn flowers on the nose and hints of citrus, hazelnut, marmalade, and spices on the palate. An aristocratic and indulgent choice that would appeal to Leos.

Price: INR 25,000 approx.

Virgo: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch

Hardworking and perfectionistic Virgos would enjoy quality blended scotches that complements their sophistication. They’d appreciate the attention to detail that goes into crafting every bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch. Featuring rare hand-selected whiskies — each painstakingly chosen from a large range of maturing scotch — this unique expression is rich and complex. It pours a deep golden — offering whiffs of pepper, smoke, and spices right at the outset. Every sip, meanwhile, sings with notes of citrus, chocolate, dried fruit, hazelnuts, vanilla, and honey. The finish is long and smoky. This one’s layered and complex, just like this earth sigh.

Price: INR 27,000 approx.

Libra: The Glenlee Blended Scotch

The social and harmony-seeking Libras would find a kindred spirit in the light, breezy, and approachable The Glenlee Blended Scotch. The delicious number pays homage to a ship that was built in 1896 and sailed across the globe four times. Every purchase goes towards the maintenance of this iconic vessel that is up for display at the Riverside Museum. Connoisseurs of all this art and history — this little detail would appeal to this air sign. This whiskey features a blend of quality scotches that are aged in a combination of Spanish casks and American oak for over three years. On the nose are whiffs of soft spices. Every sip, meanwhile, is creamy with light honeyed notes. The brand is popular as well, much like Libras.

Price: INR 2,500 approx.

Scorpio: D’Yavol Blended Malt Scotch

Passionate and complex Scorpios would enjoy a blended scotch that mirrors their depth and intensity. D’Yavol blended malt scotch whiskey checks these boxes. It features eight distinctive single malts from popular regions of Speyside, Lowland, Highland, and Island regions. Half of these are aged for four years in rare madeira and tawny port casks along with peated single malts. The payoff is a layered, rich sip with a velvety mouthfeel. Notes of toffee, spice, vanilla, honey, and smoke are unmissable in this one. The finish is long. Every sip packs a punch that only this bold water sign would truly appreciate.

Price: INR 10,000 approx.

Sagittarius: Monkey Shoulder

The adventurous and experimental Sagittarius is likely to be drawn to a blended scotch that is as free-spirited and fun as them. Enter, Monkey Shoulder. A blend of three Speyside ambers — this delicious number offers notes of orange, vanilla, oak, and honey in every sip. The finish is strong, straightforward, and spicy. Delicious neat or in cocktails — this one’s vibrant and versatile, just like this fire sign.

Price: INR 4,750 approx.

Capricorn: Dewar’s The Signature 25 Year Old

Practical, hardworking, and luxury-loving Capricorns would enjoy a dependable, elegant blended scotch. Dewar’s The Signature 25 Year Old checks the boxes. Behind each bottle is a double-aged blend and six-month ageing process in oak casks — the payoff being a refined sip with hints of honey, vanilla, and nuts. The finish is long and velvety. The award-winning expression is one of the brand’s most popular. Not to mention Dewar’s is at the top of the list of the world’s most coveted brands — making this a stellar investment for this earth sign.

Price: INR 28,000 approx.

Aquarius: J&B Rare

The progressive and quirky Aquarius would best be complemented by a blended scotch that is unique. Enter, J&B Rare. The best-selling number features a fusion of 42 single malts and grain whiskies from the Speyside region of Scotland. On the nose are whiffs of grass and nuts. Every sip, meanwhile, sings with notes of spice, cereal, and salad. Approachable and popular — just like this air sign — this whisky is a fun bet.

Price: INR 2,000 approx.

Pisces: Copper Dog

The imaginative and romantic Pisces would enjoy a blended scotch whiskey that is as sweet, approachable, and indulgent as them. Enter, Copper Dog. The fruity number stands for all that’s good about Speyside — fusing eight different whiskies to create a balanced sip. On the nose are whiffs of ripe pear, berries, caramel apple, and citrus. On the palate are notes of vanilla and sweet wood. The finish is creamy and long, with a touch of spice.

Price: INR 5,000

Cheers!

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