Bell’s is consistently one of the best-selling whiskies in the UK and one of the most recognised Scotch brands the world. For several decades, from the late 1970s to the mid-2010s, it was the leading UK Scotch and accounted for almost 20% of all Scotch whisky sales in the country. Bell’s is produced by the beverage giant Diageo using whiskies from up to 40 different single grain and malt distilleries. This includes Blair Athol (the whisky’s main single malt component), Dufftown, Inchgower, Glenkinchie, and Caol Ila. To read about our visit to Blair Athol distillery – please click here.
This Original version of Bell’s does not carry an age statement but versions from past decades can still be found on auction sites carrying age statements of up to 20 years old. The heritage of Bell’s whisky goes back as far as 1825 in Perthshire, Scotland when Englishman Arthur Bell began blending local whiskies in his Perth grocery shop. He was originally a tea blender and shopkeeper, who followed the trend of the time in to whisky. This is similar to the stories of other famous Scotch whisky blenders such as John Walker and George Ballantine.
Arthur Bell’s sons, Arthur Kinmond Bell and Robert Duff Bell, joined the company and helped to build the brand with the whisky officially became ‘Bell’s’ in 1896 when it was registered as a trademark with the famous ‘Arthur Bell & Sons’ signature. The brand also became well known for releasing bell shaped ceramic bottles to celebrate important events in Scottish and international calendars, such as Royal weddings and Christmas, and many of these have become fondly loved collectables.
Bell’s Original is bottled at 40% ABV and is widely available in the UK and selected other markets. Bottle sizes range from 5cl to one litre. A 70cl bottle should cost £15-20 with a one litre bottle anywhere between £20-25. It is often also discounted at key gifting times such as Christmas and Father’s Day.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is vibrant gold. On the nose it is sweet and malty with lots of fudge-like aromas and sugar crystals. These are joined by orchard aomas of fresh red apples and cut green grass, along with oaty husks. There is a subtle hint of gentle peat smoke underneath.
On the palate this whisky is creamy and soft. Instantly the smokiness is much more pronounced than on the nose and is reminiscent of ashy bonfire smoke. This gentle smoke wraps around everything and binds the other notes together well. Sweet honey and rich toffee are also evident, as are further notes of crisp red apple, sugary sultana and butterscotch. Some underlying malty cereal notes also come through nicely as do hints of gingerbread and muscovado sugar. There is a distinct white peppery heat on the finish, which has the impression of accentuating the sweetness and smoke.
What’s The Verdict?
This is not the most complex whisky, but you would not expect that for the price. However, it is easy to see why Bell’s remains so popular – it has a lovely sweetness and fruitiness, which is wrapped up in a lovely soft peat smoke. This combination will appeal to a wide audience and also makes it good for drinking with a splash of water, over ice or as part of a simple whisky cocktail.
