Originally Posted by
danthepoetman
Some editions of Glenrothes are absolutely great indeed. It's a pretty subtle drink. Bits of vanila, lots of almonds, heather honey, faint spices. Very nice dram imo too.
Yes, they most probably sell some of their stock to blenders; almost all distilleries do. Those blends contain essentially tasteless grain alcohol; they have to mix it with a certain amount of good malt. For instance, the Chivas Regal is made with Strathisla; the Johnny Walker has changed providers over the years here and there, but I think it's mostly Talisker (a great dram) and Caol Ila that provides the taste in it (I think there was also some Cardhu before, but the distillery has went to a lot of changes over the last decade and so), etc.