Faultline Blended Scotch Review
In-Depth Review
Can blended Scotch be good?
Debated for years by Scotch snobs, many argue that single malt reigns supreme and relegate blends as the stuff made for the uninitiated. They are wrong, of course. Not everything blended is cheap and awful. Just look at the incredible blending techniques used by Japanese blenders at Nikka and Suntory to give you an idea how truly remarkable good blended whisky can be.
This brings us to today’s review – a blended Scotch whisky designed by the team at K&L to be an affordable, powerful, smokey Scotch aimed at enthusiasts. The Faultline brand is reserved only for K&L’s house products where they will work with producers from around the world to create their own take on a specific type of spirit. This ranges from anything like gin, to rum, to bourbon, and in this case: Scotch. So what exactly is in this? They don’t say. But they have kept this interesting with its 50% ABV, natural color, and extraordinary price point. At only $25, it’s hard to think of any other blended Scotch like it. So let’s dive in see if this lives up to K&Ls exacting standards.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 50%
Cask: Not stated (blend)
MSRP: $25
Distillery Name: Various Distilleries
Review Date: 12/21/22
Nose: Big puff of smoke at the start then sweet honey, orange slices, and freshly extinguished charcoal. Clean, crisp, bright florals with a touch of ash. Like a distant campfire near the ocean.
Palate: Smoked meats, bacon, and sea water on the front of the palate. On the back, heather vanilla and sweet malt. After the smoke settles, becomes a sea of creamy orchard fruits. Well balanced heat. Lively – but not young or grainy. Midpalate foundation is excellent, with a burst of flavor.
Finish: Medium length finish. The smoke lingers with a mix of salinity and baked bread. As it recedes, you’re left with a sweetness that sticks to the side of your mouth.
Score: 89
Would I buy again? Wow. I can’t believe that a $25 Scotch can be this good. It reminds me of a young Caol Ila, with that saline character and delicate balance of peat - just cranked up to a higher ABV. This Faultline blend punches way above its weight and offers a compelling value in a whisky world which seldom does anymore. It’s even hard to believe it’s blended with such a strong malty foundation. But one caveat: you’re going to have to like some smoke, as this isn’t your typical clean and fruity Speysider. And don’t let the natural color fool you, this is worth the trip to K&L to grab a few – I truly can’t think of a better affordable blended Scotch for those who love some smoke.
