Blended Whisky Is Not a Lesser Whisky, Legally
To blend is to mix things into a whole. In whisky, blended and single malt are legal categories about distilleries, not about quality.
To blend is to mix things so that they combine smoothly. In Scotch whisky the word is a legal definition, not a verdict: *single malt* means malt whisky from one distillery, and *blended* means a mixture from more than one, usually with grain whisky. Neither term says anything about quality, and blending is a highly skilled job. In linguistics a blend is a word like *smog*, made from two others.
- To mix smoothly. *Blend the ingredients.*
- A mixture. *A coffee blend.*
- Blended whisky — from several distilleries. *A blended Scotch.*
- A word blend — smog, brunch, motel. *Smog is a blend.*
- Blend in — to become inconspicuous. *He blended in.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | blend | Blend well. |
| Past | blended | Blended together. |
| Noun | blend | A house blend. |
| Agent | blender | A kitchen blender. |
| Adjective | blended | Blended learning. |
- Blend until smooth.Cooking.
- Most Scotch sold is blended.Whisky.
- Brunch is a blend of breakfast and lunch.Linguistics.
Famous word blends
- Smog — smoke and fog, coined around 1905
- Brunch — breakfast and lunch, 1890s
- Motel — motor and hotel
- Podcast — iPod and broadcast, 2004
- Also called portmanteau words, after Lewis Carroll's explanation
From Old Norse *blanda*, to mix, reinforcing an Old English verb of the same meaning. The whisky sense dates from the nineteenth century.
Is single malt better than blended?
Not by definition. Single malt means one distillery; blended means several. Quality varies within both categories.
What is a portmanteau word?
A blend of two words, like smog or brunch. Lewis Carroll used the term in Through the Looking-Glass.