There's a certain brass-necked confidence in naming a blended Scotch after one of the most recognisable landmarks on the planet. The Big Ben Blended Scotch Whisky isn't trying to be subtle about its pitch — this is a whisky designed to catch the eye of tourists, duty-free browsers, and anyone drawn to a bit of British iconography on their drinks shelf. But here's the thing: a clever label doesn't necessarily mean a cynical product, and at £23.95, the real question is whether what's inside the bottle justifies the price of entry.
The Big Ben is a no-age-statement blend bottled at the standard 40% ABV — the baseline for Scotch whisky by law. There's no distillery name on the label, which tells you this is a brand-led product rather than a distillery showcase. That's not unusual in the blended category. Some of the most commercially successful Scotch whiskies in history — Johnnie Walker, Dewar's, Famous Grouse — are built on the skill of the blender rather than the romance of a single site. The Big Ben sits in that tradition, albeit at a more modest price point and without the decades of brand heritage those names carry.
What I will say is that this drinks like a competently assembled blend. It's light, approachable, and clearly designed not to frighten anyone. If you're coming to Scotch for the first time, or buying a gift for someone who might be, this is the sort of whisky that opens the door without slamming it in your face. The grain component does the heavy lifting here — keeping things smooth and easy — while there's enough malt character to remind you that you're drinking Scotch and not just flavoured spirit.
Tasting Notes
I don't have detailed tasting notes to share on this one, as my experience was a brief encounter rather than a full session. What I can say is that The Big Ben sits comfortably in the light, sweet lane that most entry-level blends occupy. Expect gentle cereal notes, a touch of vanilla, and perhaps a whisper of dried fruit. It's not going to challenge you, but it's not trying to. The finish is clean and short — this is a blend that knows its job and does it without overstaying its welcome.
The Verdict
At £23.95, The Big Ben competes in a crowded bracket. You're in Famous Grouse and Grant's territory here, and honestly, it holds its own. It's not going to win any awards for complexity, but complexity isn't what's being sold. This is a souvenir whisky that actually works as a whisky — and that's more than you can say for plenty of label-first products in this space. I've had far worse blends at higher prices. The fact that it doesn't embarrass itself is, in this particular corner of the market, a genuine achievement.
I'm giving it a 7.6 out of 10. That reflects a blend that does exactly what it promises — delivers an honest, drinkable Scotch at a fair price. It's not exceptional, but it's genuinely good value, and I'd rather someone started their Scotch journey here than with something twice the price and half the charm.
Best Served
Don't overthink this one. The Big Ben is built for a highball — a good measure over ice, topped with quality soda water and a strip of lemon peel. It's also perfectly at home in a Scotch and ginger ale if you want something with a bit more sweetness on a Friday evening. If you're drinking it neat, a few drops of water will open it up nicely, but this blend really comes alive with a mixer. No shame in that — it's what blended Scotch was designed for.
