Master blender


A master blender is an individual who develops specific blended spirits using a combination of spirits with different characteristics. For example, in the Scotch whisky industry, master blenders choose which single malts and grain whiskies to combine to make particular brands of blended whiskey. A master blender is not the same thing as a master distiller, although one person may do both jobs at small craft distilleries. As the name suggests, the blender creates blends using spirits from different casks and is responsible for making sure the product remains consistent across different batches, while the distiller is either directly responsible for the mashing and distilling of spirits or simply holds the title as the administrative and marketing figurehead of the company.
The term master blender is often associated with the whiskey industry, but it is also used for professionals who blend other spirits, such as rum, cognac, brandy, and vodka.

History

In terms of whiskey, the practice of blending distilled whiskeys has likely existed in some form for centuries, but the craft of deliberately blending whiskeys for flavor purposes began after Aeneas Coffey invented a new type of still to make grain whiskeys in 1831. William Sanderson and Andrew Usher are credited with making one of the first whiskey blends in the 1860s.

Responsibilities

Being a master blender involves evaluating barreled spirits with different characteristics, such as age, storage conditions, and cask type, and then choosing the best combination of spirits to achieve a desired final product. The master blender generally has two primary responsibilities:
  1. Make sure every batch produced under the same label tastes the same as previous batches
  2. Create new appealing blends that deliberately differ from existing labels
For some companies, the master blender also serves as the public figurehead for the company and may even have administrative and marketing duties outside of blending responsibilities.

Blended whisky

Legal definitions for blended whiskys vary. In Scotland, blended whiskys may include grain whiskys and come from numerous distilleries with different malts. In the U.S., the standard is different, and blended whiskeys must contain at least 20 percent straight whiskey combined with neutral spirits or other whiskeys.
A blend could be composed of as many as 20 or more different whiskys with different flavor profiles and ages, which makes maintaining product consistency over time a challenging accomplishment for a master blender. It is sometimes necessary to replace whiskeys that go into a blend, and the master blender is responsible for accomplishing this feat without altering the characteristics of the final product.

Training

Experience and a good "nose" are the two most important characteristics for a master blender, although some may also have a supporting academic background in chemistry, microbiology, or other related type of science. Many blenders start as apprentices and work with blenders who have years of experience nosing spirits. It may take years of practice to develop the necessary skills, and the general consensus is that the title of master blender should be earned.
Nosing spirits involves using the sense of smell to identify specific characteristics, such as different aromas and flavors, that work together to create the desired final product. After a particular blend is developed, then the master blender is responsible for ensuring all batches of that brand remain consistent in the future.
In some cases, formal training outside of on-the-job training may be necessary. For example, according to Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal:

Notable people

In most cases, master blending is a skill achieved after years of experience. Notable examples of individuals in the industry who have achieved master blender status include: