100 Pipers whiskies

History

The brand was created when Seagram, then one of the world’s largest drinks groups, was looking for an affordable Scotch blend to compete in the fastest-growing markets. To secure its malt supply, the group built new distilleries in Speyside, and part of that whisky ended up in the 100 Pipers blends. When Seagram was broken up at the beginning of this century, the brand passed to Pernod Ricard along with much of its Scotch whisky business. Since then it has remained a high-volume blend, more present in Asia than in Europe, with an image that plays on the military tradition of the Scottish pipes.

House style

It is a blend with a light base, plenty of grain whisky and a moderate share of malt. On the nose there is sweet cereal, a little honey and a faint touch of fruit; on the palate it is smooth, rather dry and short. It doesn’t aim for complexity but for a clean, easy profile that works well on the rocks, with water or in long drinks. With little old oak in the blend, it stays young and direct, without marked oak notes.

Where to start

There is only one 100 Pipers in the catalogue, so the choice is simple. It fits if you’re after a light Scotch for mixing or to try without commitment. If you like it and want something with more flavour, compare its profile with other maltier Speyside blends. It is also a useful reference for understanding what malt brings to a blend: next to a Scotch with a higher share of malt, the difference in body and sweetness is obvious straight away.

• 100 PipersBlend · 40% ABV