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Scotch blended whiskey Buchanan’s (Buchanans) is one of the five first scotch whiskeys that gained worldwide fame at the end of the 12th century. Brand founder James Buchanan created his famous blend of spirits aged in oak barrels for at least XNUMX years. Under his leadership, a small distillery has grown in twenty years into a giant of the industry with enterprises far beyond the borders of the UK. The brand is popular all over the world, and in Latin America Buchanan’s is in first place in terms of sales among premium whiskeys.
Historical information
James Buchanan was born in Canada in 1849 to a family of Scottish immigrants, a year after the birth of his son, his parents returned to their homeland. At the age of 14, the future winemaker began working as a courier in a shipping agency, and then began to help his brother, who was engaged in the sale of grain and seeds in Glasgow. He got his first experience in the alcohol business only at the age of 29, when he got a job as a sales agent in the company of Charles McKinley.
It took six years to learn all the ins and outs of the business and the art of blending. In 1884, Buchanan created his first blended whiskey and founded his own company, which he named James Buchanan & Co. The novice winemaker’s recipe turned out to be so successful that a year later he won a tender for the supply of his products to the British House of Commons. In 1889, Buchanan’s whiskey received its first gold medal at an exhibition in Paris.
In 1897, James Buchanan & Co received an order from Buckingham Palace to supply whiskey to the Prince of Wales. Buchanan has created a very special blend of the finest examples of his aged spirits. The drink did not receive a separate name, but soon the winemaker became a regular supplier of the British royal court.
Subsequently, the company opened its branches in Europe and Southeast Asia, and the emperor of Japan and the king of Spain were among the firm’s clients. For special services, Buchanan was granted the nobility, and later he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1925, already at an advanced age, the winemaker retired from business management, and the company became part of the Distillers Company Limited, then transformed into Diageo.
Currently, Buchanan’s is ranked third in the popularity of premium whiskey, with 1,5 million cases of this brand of scotch sold annually in the world. The recipe for the 12-year-old blend has remained unchanged since its inception by the founder of the distillery. In 2015, the company rebranded its products and for the first time in 23 years changed the shape and color of the bottles.
Latest awards:
- World Whiskey Awards, 2018 – gold medal and class winner;
- World Whiskey Competition 2018 – 3rd Best Single Malt Scotch (88,9 points);
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2019 – double gold medal.
Interesting Facts
- The wagons, which for forty years carried the products of the distillery to London shops, have become a landmark of the capital of Great Britain. First of all, the attention of residents and tourists was attracted by the magnificent horses that Buchanan bred at his own stable in Sussex.
- The company has been implementing the musical project Buchanan’s Forever for many years and holds charity concerts in Latin America. Famous performers take part in the events, including Sting, James Blunt and Jon Bon Jovi.
Types of whiskey Buchanans
Buchanan’s DeLuxe, 40%
Whiskey 12-year-old golden amber color. The aroma mixes notes of barley, caramel and fruit. In the fresh taste, hints of orange, chocolate and vanilla stand out. It is recommended to serve with the addition of soda, ice and a slice of orange with zest.
Buchanan’s Master, 40%
Master blender Keith Lowe’s signature blend of aged spirits from distilleries across Scotland won double gold in 2014 at the San Francisco competition. The caramel-colored drink has a complex aroma, in which fruity, nutty and smoky notes are intertwined. The flavor range combines shades of honey, fresh herbs, spices and lemon. The perfect serving is with mint and a sprig of rosemary.
