Bell’s is called a classic Scotch whiskey, almost a national symbol – the same as thistle or tartan. The brand has been a top seller in the UK for three decades. On the bottle, in addition to the usual information about the origin, aging period and company name, the brand’s slogan is placed. In golden capital letters on the bottom band of the cork: Afore ye go, which is translated from the Scottish “Before you go.” We would call this an offer to drink “on the road” or even more familiar – “on the road!”.
Historical reference. The birthplace of Bell’s whiskey is located on the banks of the Tay River in the ancient Scottish city of Perth. The company’s distilleries are not located here, but Arthur Bell & Sons has long been the main employer in these places, funding libraries and gyms.
In 1825, in one of the cozy corners of Perth, an admirer of whiskey and other strong drinks, Thomas Sanderman, opened a shop with tea and alcohol. Although the founder of the Bell’s brand, Arthur Bell, never met Sanderman, this date is indicated on the labels of whiskey bottles: … Perth, Established 1825. Thomas Sanderman had a friend who continued to trade whiskey and tea after the death of the shop owner. It was with this friend, James Roy, that Arthur Bells met in 1845.
Bells was passionate about blending and suggested that Roy take it seriously. At that time, varieties were used to create blends without the usual three-year aging for Scotland. But Bells was sure that a drink without a long exposure could not be of high quality, so he used only aged whiskey, which affected the quality, and later the popularity of the product. It took Bells 12 years to create the first signature drink, from 1851 to 1863.
In 1897, three years before his death, Arthur Bells, under pressure from his sons, registered Arthur Bell & Sons and patented the name Extra Special Old Scotch Whiskey. Already after his death, in 1904, the sons who continued the business named the most popular scotch after their father and entered the name of the company on bottle labels.
The company successfully survived the First World War, did not go bankrupt during Prohibition in the States, as happened to many, and after the lifting of the ban on alcohol, Arthur Bell & Sons began to develop rapidly, bought three more distilleries in Speyside, expanded production and sales markets.
When Bell’s was named the best-selling product in the UK in 1978, the number of fans of the brand began to grow even more rapidly. Now Arthur Bell & Sons is part of the United Distillers group, but is no longer owned by family members.
Bell’s Scotch Secrets
- The epithet Original appeared in the name as a mark of distinction between Bell’s and modern blends: whiskey experts compare its taste with scotch, which was produced at the beginning of the last century.
- The common features of all Bell’s blends are a mild taste with hints of spices and a caramel aroma with subtle salty notes of peat smoke.
- To create Bell’s use malts from different regions – the softness of scotch from Lowland, fruity-spicy notes from Speyside, peaty notes from the Isle of Islay. In total, about 35 varieties are used. A regular ingredient is toffee-smelling golden Blair Athol whiskey from Highland distilleries.
Interesting Facts
Bell’s often flashes on television screens – TV heroes drink this whiskey with pleasure, one example is the small bottle of Scotch in the pocket of Clive Owen from the movie “Child of Men”.
Arthur Bell did not want to call the author’s drink by his own name due to religious beliefs. Therefore, his name appeared in the title only 4 years after his death.
The greatest demand for Bell’s is in the United States, Spain, Brazil and Africa.
Bell’s has a tradition: every year on Christmas Eve (when bells are heard everywhere – Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way …) a limited edition of scotch comes out in the original packaging and a bell-shaped bottle. So there was Bell’s Extra Special Limited Queen Elizabeth 75 Birthday – for the anniversary of the queen, and Bell’s Extra Special Limited Princess Beatrice – in honor of the princess.
Cocktail recipes with Bell’s
Experts recommend drinking scotch clean – slowly, do not swallow immediately, but warm it first under the tongue to feel the rich taste. But Bell’s is willingly used in some cocktails, arguing this with softness, delicate taste and excellent compatibility.
- Orange Bells: Shake 50 ml of scotch and freshly squeezed orange juice in a shaker with ice and serve in a tall glass.
- “Honey Baileys”: Shake 50 ml of scotch, 75 ml of Baileys Irish cream liqueur and a teaspoon of honey in a shaker.
- Scotch Sour: Fill a shaker ¾ full with ice, add the white of one chicken egg, 25 ml each of sugar syrup and lemon juice, 50 ml of Bell’s and 30 ml of Angostura Venezuelan bitter, then beat.
Types of whiskey Bells
- Bell’s. Formerly called Bell’s Original, the name was shortened after the rebranding. Scotch tape rich amber color with golden highlights. The taste is smooth, multifaceted, with hints of spices and nut butter. Long aftertaste with a salty aftertaste of peat smoke. The aroma is delicate, the bouquet has notes of fresh apple, almond, spring flowers, ginger and honey. Fortress 40%, exposure 3 years. Recommended as a digestif, but can be used in cocktails.
- Bell’s Spiced. Premium grade tape in a dark amber color with a touch of mahogany. The taste is sweetish with a hint of honey and ginger. The aftertaste is short with notes of creamy toffee. The aroma is light, in the bouquet shades of fresh apples, vanilla and spring herbs are distinguishable. Fortress 35%, exposure 5 years. Recommended as a digestif.
- Bell’s Royal Reserve 20 Year Old. Whiskey rich honey color with a sweet taste, which felt hints of currant, ginger and honey. The finish is long, with a hint of honey and chocolate. The aroma is slightly harsh, fresh, with notes of apple, currant and peat smoke. Fortress 40%, exposure 20 years. Recommended as a digestif.
