SIA Blended Scotch Review

SIA Blended Scotch is a product of passion. It started as an idea for the founder Carin who spent years working on her blend to bring it to market. It isn’t a product of any of the major houses, nor is it a side project of an Independent Bottler. The closest I could relate its approach and birthing to is Compass Box as an independent blender, but they’ve both taken different paths.

I could paraphrase the story of SIA’s birth, but instead, I’ll just link to their site and let you read it for yourself if you’re interested, and instead, I’ll remark on how exciting it is to drink something unique and personal. This is a fascinating success story and I can’t wait to get to drinkin’ and see what’s in this a-typical looking bottle.

SIA Blended Scotch – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Style: Blended Whisky
Region: Scotland (Speyside, Highland, Lowlands and Islay)

Distiller: Various (lead malt is Teaninich)
Blender: SIA
Blend: Single Malt Scotches + Scottish Grain Whiskies
Cask: ex-Bourbon (1st fill + “refill”)
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%

Price: $40*

White background tasting shot with the SIA Blended Scotch bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“SIA is not your grandfather’s scotch whisky. It’s his, hers, theirs – the perfect blend for both the spirit connoisseur and the whisky curious.” – SIA

SIA Blended Scotch Tasting Notes

EYE
Pale gold

NOSE
Honey, dried orchard fruit, buttery toffee, vanilla cupcakes, banana taffy, graham crackers, and a slight earthy-farmy quality.

It’s not super deep, but dang it’s pleasant.

PALATE
Buttery toffee, orchard fruit, tropical fruit, honey grahams and more of that earthy-farmy hay-like quality.

Again, not super deep, but the SIA Blended Scotch is performing well above many others in the category.

FINISH
Med-short -> Banana chips and buttery toffee fade to earthy maltiness and a slight metallic note.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, med-thin body and a light easy feel.

SIA Blended Scotch – Overall Thoughts and Score

I had very low expectations for the SIA Blended Scotch when I first opened the bottle and not only did it blow those expectations out of the water, it forced me to give my own preconceived notions a reevaluation. After far too many poor experiences with blended Scotch, it’s easy to immediately dismiss anything in the category that doesn’t carry the name Compass Box. This is a folly.

Being blind to options makes you miss opportunities for decently priced, easy drinkers and mixers like this SIA Blended Scotch or things like Bank Note or Black Grouse. Things that might not make it in your glass on a regular basis, but are nice to break up your usual drinking and are always good to have around for cocktails. The later being where this one will end up most of the time for me.

SCORE: 2.5/5

*Disclosure: The bottle for this Scotch review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.