Bell's Extra Special / Bot.1980s Blended Scotch Whisky

Jorge Castillo — This is what Bell's used to be

9/10

Night and day compared to the current stuff on supermarket shelves. Rich caramel, a whiff of peat smoke, and this creamy vanilla that lingers. My dad used to drink Bell's in the 80s and now I understand why — they clearly used better malt back then. Worth every penny if you're into old bottlings.

Nia Okafor — This is what Bell's used to be

9/10

Night and day compared to the current stuff on supermarket shelves. Rich caramel, a whiff of peat smoke, and this creamy vanilla that lingers. My dad used to drink Bell's in the 80s and now I understand why — they clearly used better malt back then. Worth every penny if you're into old bottlings.

Dmitri Volkov — This is what Bell's used to be

9/10

Night and day compared to the current stuff on supermarket shelves. Rich caramel, a whiff of peat smoke, and this creamy vanilla that lingers. My dad used to drink Bell's in the 80s and now I understand why — they clearly used better malt back then. Worth every penny if you're into old bottlings.

Ravi Krishnan — Good but not £95 good

7/10

It's a solid blended Scotch from the 80s with nice honey and cereal notes, a touch of orchard fruit, and a warm finish. I enjoyed it on the rocks after dinner. But I keep coming back to that price tag — for £95 I'd expect something with more complexity or at least an age statement.

Clara Johansson — Good but not £95 good

7/10

It's a solid blended Scotch from the 80s with nice honey and cereal notes, a touch of orchard fruit, and a warm finish. I enjoyed it on the rocks after dinner. But I keep coming back to that price tag — for £95 I'd expect something with more complexity or at least an age statement.

Amira Benali — Good but not £95 good

7/10

It's a solid blended Scotch from the 80s with nice honey and cereal notes, a touch of orchard fruit, and a warm finish. I enjoyed it on the rocks after dinner. But I keep coming back to that price tag — for £95 I'd expect something with more complexity or at least an age statement.

Luna Chavez — Pleasant enough time capsule

7/10

Tried this at a friend's tasting night. It's smooth and inoffensive with some biscuity malt and a hint of sherry sweetness. Nothing that blew me away but it's interesting to taste what a mainstream blend tasted like 40 years ago. I wouldn't buy a bottle myself at that price but I'm glad I got to try it.

Yasmine Najjar — Pleasant enough time capsule

7/10

Tried this at a friend's tasting night. It's smooth and inoffensive with some biscuity malt and a hint of sherry sweetness. Nothing that blew me away but it's interesting to taste what a mainstream blend tasted like 40 years ago. I wouldn't buy a bottle myself at that price but I'm glad I got to try it.

Oscar Delgado — Pleasant enough time capsule

7/10

Tried this at a friend's tasting night. It's smooth and inoffensive with some biscuity malt and a hint of sherry sweetness. Nothing that blew me away but it's interesting to taste what a mainstream blend tasted like 40 years ago. I wouldn't buy a bottle myself at that price but I'm glad I got to try it.

Zoe Chen — Proper nostalgia in a bottle

8/10

Picked this up at auction hoping for that old-school Bell's character and it didn't disappoint. Lovely toffee and dried fruit on the nose, with a gentle smokiness that modern Bell's just doesn't have. At 40% it's easy drinking neat, and the blend is well balanced — malt and grain working together rather than fighting. Pricey at nearly a hundred quid but you're paying for a piece of history.

Marco Andretti — Proper nostalgia in a bottle

8/10

Picked this up at auction hoping for that old-school Bell's character and it didn't disappoint. Lovely toffee and dried fruit on the nose, with a gentle smokiness that modern Bell's just doesn't have. At 40% it's easy drinking neat, and the blend is well balanced — malt and grain working together rather than fighting. Pricey at nearly a hundred quid but you're paying for a piece of history.

Natalie Ford — Proper nostalgia in a bottle

8/10

Picked this up at auction hoping for that old-school Bell's character and it didn't disappoint. Lovely toffee and dried fruit on the nose, with a gentle smokiness that modern Bell's just doesn't have. At 40% it's easy drinking neat, and the blend is well balanced — malt and grain working together rather than fighting. Pricey at nearly a hundred quid but you're paying for a piece of history.

Jackson Wu — Holds up surprisingly well

8/10

Was worried about how a 40-year-old blend at 40% ABV would hold up, but the years in glass have been kind to it. Soft heather honey nose, gentle spice on the palate, and a clean finish with a bit of oak. I sip it neat and slowly — feels like it deserves that kind of attention. A really enjoyable dram for old bottling collectors.

Erik Strom — Holds up surprisingly well

8/10

Was worried about how a 40-year-old blend at 40% ABV would hold up, but the years in glass have been kind to it. Soft heather honey nose, gentle spice on the palate, and a clean finish with a bit of oak. I sip it neat and slowly — feels like it deserves that kind of attention. A really enjoyable dram for old bottling collectors.

Benjamin Ross — Holds up surprisingly well

8/10

Was worried about how a 40-year-old blend at 40% ABV would hold up, but the years in glass have been kind to it. Soft heather honey nose, gentle spice on the palate, and a clean finish with a bit of oak. I sip it neat and slowly — feels like it deserves that kind of attention. A really enjoyable dram for old bottling collectors.