The reasons for changes in the ages and organoleptic qualities of whiskies utilised in readily accessible blends are numerous and have been written about at length elsewhere, but what has perhaps received less attention is the question of where the blended whisky drinker of today can look to find some of those same qualities presented by the legendary expressions of the past. Unfortunately, the word is out and prices in the secondary market – once lower or comparable to modern RRPs for entry-level blends – have skyrocketed to eye-watering heights. Assuming seals are intact and storage conditions have been favourable, these blends can undoubtedly serve up some of the most delightfully refined and complex whisky-drinking experiences to be had for any money – sometimes even offering up flavours which simply don’t crop up in modern whiskies. More than just a simple harking back to the ‘good old days’, this allegation can certainly be backed up to some extent and with some degree of accuracy by conducting a cursory tasting of bottles sourced at auction dating from the 60s, 70s, 80s and so on.

This, at least, has led many more experienced whisky drinkers to look elsewhere for their kicks. The reasons for this shift in these so-called ‘mature’ whisky markets (and even some ‘developing’ whisky markets) are varied, though to hear it from whisky drinkers of, let’s say, more advanced years, there has allegedly been a noticeable decline in perceived quality of some of the most famous and readily available ‘premium’ blended brands over the last 60 years. Today, of course, it is single malt which is capturing the imagination of drinkers in Western Europe, North America, and many other places besides.

For someone born in Europe or even North America in the 1950s, drinking whisky would in all likelihood have almost exclusively meant drinking blends of some kind. It is a strange thing, how different generations have entered and engaged with the world of whisky.

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