Bell's Original Blended Scotch Whisky 100 cl 40%

A litre of Bell's is not a bottle you buy for the display cabinet. It gets bought for the house, put at the back of the cupboard and pulled out when someone drops by. That is its function, and it has held it for decades without complaint.

The expert's description

Bell's Original 100 cl is a Blended Scotch Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 40 %.

Original was previously called Specially Selected and took its current name in 2008. The blend is built around Blair Athol in Pitlochry, regarded as the home distillery of the house, supported by malt from several other distilleries and by grain whisky, which supplies the light, round texture.

The litre format is a practical decision more than a collector decision. The larger bottle is still around, mainly in airports and with retailers who have the shelf space, and it is meant for households where the whisky gets drunk rather than kept.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light and cereal led with vanilla, apple and a dry malt note. A little caramel sits underneath.

Palate

Soft and simple with honey, cereal and a hint of nut. No edges, no surprises, and that is deliberate.

Finish

Short and dry with a last malty warmth.

Specifications

Name: Bell's Original 100 cl
Distillery: Bell's
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40 %
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
EAN no.: 5000387905504

Flavour profile

Light · Malty · Soft · Honeyed · Dry

Did you know?

Bell's took over Blair Athol in 1933 and has used the distillery as the fixed pivot of the blend ever since. The visitor centre in Pitlochry remains one of the busiest in Scotland.

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Frequently asked questions about Bell's Original 100 cl

What is the difference between 100 cl and 70 cl?

Only the volume. The contents are the same blend at the same strength, and the litre bottle exists mainly because it is practical in households and in airports. Choose according to how quickly the bottle gets emptied.

What does Original mean in the name?

It is simply the name of the standard house blend. Until 2008 it was called Specially Selected, and the contents are broadly the same. The name change was a tidy-up of the range, not a new recipe.

Is it good in highballs?

Yes, it is practically built for them. The light cereal character does not vanish in soda or ginger ale, and forty per cent gives enough body that there is still whisky to taste.

Can you cook with it?

Easily. A blend like this works in a cream sauce, in a marinade for pork or flamed over a pancake. There is no reason to use single malt for that sort of thing.

How long does an opened litre bottle keep?

A couple of years if you keep it dark and cool. The more air in the bottle, the faster the aromatics flatten, so a litre standing half empty for a long time loses more than a 70 centilitre would.

How does it taste best?

At room temperature in a whisky glass with a little width, perhaps with a splash of cold water. Ice cubes tighten it up but also close down what little complexity there is to find.