Ardray is a beautifully balanced blended scotch whisky, built around a malt-rich recipe drawn from no more than ten distilleries. It challenges long-held perceptions of the blended scotch category with its depth and elegance. Even the recommended serve (see below) is enough to make some whisky traditionalist hyperventilate.
A new chapter for Blended Scotch
On the whole, blended Scotch is having a moment with new brands offering a modern take on the category and pushing past old assumptions. Single malts have long overshadowed other Scotch whisky styles and many tend to mistake blended Scotch somehow to be more basic or boring, yet it makes up around 90% of global Scotch whisky sales. Blended Scotch whisky is a blend of one or more single malt Scotch whiskies and one or more single grain whiskies.
To be a blender you are expected to have an exceptional sensory memory, deep technical knowledge of how different components interact and ability to create something that’s both consistent and interesting. It’s a role that demands creativity and precision, which is why modern blends like Ardray are so compelling to explore.
Ardray translates to ‘towards the light’, a phrase that reflects the brand’s commitment to precision, quality and attention to detail. The whisky is made using stock from distilleries within the Suntory Global Spirits portfolio, alongside a few treats selected from Edrington Group. The recipe was created in collaboration with their Scottish and Japanese blending teams, who embrace tradition while using it as a foundation for modern creativity. The name is also a nod to Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, who in 1923 began his journey to create a lighter-style whisky ideal for Japanese palates.
What’s in the Ardray blend?
Ardray may be rich in malt, yet neither malt nor grain dominates the flavour profile – they work in harmony complementing each other. While exact recipe remains undisclosed, Ardray brings together whiskies from a selection of Scottish distilleries within the Suntory Global Spirits (owners of Laphroaig, Bowmore and Glen Garioch) and the Edrington (owners of The Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park) families.
During the recipe creation, the team tested nearly 200 whiskies before settling for the desired blend. Both grain and malt whiskies were blended with subtle, deliberate changes in proportion to achieve the perfect balance. The blenders experimented with tiny increments. First, they created building blocks by blending casks of each type of whisky. From there, only minute adjustments (0.1%) were made to each batch. This careful analysis guaranteed the exact desired character of each building block and consistent harmony between the malt whisky and the grain whisky time and time again.
After this, they used the Solera method, best known from sherry production, to unify the flavours across the batches. A portion of both the building blocks and the blend is carried forward for solera ageing. As you would expect, Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky is non-chill filtered and made without any added colourings. It is bottled at a nice 48% ABV.
My tasting notes:
Nose: Cooked apples, oats, vanilla ice cream, sweet citrus, white marshmallows, sweet floral note reminiscent of potpourri, hint of smoke, wholemeal biscuit with dried fruit and hazelnut (Gran Cereale Frutta)
Palate: Nice mouthfeel, citrus, gentle peppery smoke, crisp apples, apricot, floral notes, ginger, cinnamon
Finish: Chamomile, medium length
They’ve definitely dialled down the peat-heavier distilleries, leaving just enough smoke to balance the more delicate flavours. A great bottle to try if you’ve been turning down blended scotch whiskies in the past, this one is likely to lure you to the blend side. With summer on its way, the recommended serve below is also a refreshing way to enjoy whisky as the temperatures start to climb.
How to Drink It
Of course, whisky is meant to be enjoyed however you like – neat, with ice, in cocktails… However, in keeping with Ardray’s aim to spark conversation around whisky, they suggest the following:
Ardray “Off the Rocks”
Option 1*
Hold a large ice ball above a tumbler using tongs or a strainer. Slowly pour 50ml of whisky across the ice (for approx. 8 seconds), allowing it to cascade down into the glass.
Option 2
In a mixing glass, gently stir the whisky with ice. Strain into your chosen serving glass.
*Master of Malt is currently giving a free Ardray signature serve kit (2 x tumbler, 2 x strainer, 2 x ice holder) with a bottle purchase. To shop see the listing here.
Cocktail Recipe Suggestions with Ardray
Smoky Bloom
35ml Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky
15ml Bepi Tosolini Smoked Grappa
17.5ml Cherry Liqueur (I used Liquori dell’Etna D.O.P. Ciliegia)
2.5ml Hibiscus Syrup (Monin)
2 dashes of Pinot Noir & Cherry Bitters (Bonpland)
Orange peel for garnish
Stir all ingredients with ice and double strain into your favourite cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange peel.
Summer Highball
40ml Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky
Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon Soda Water
Lime wheel
Simply measure the whisky into an ice-filled glass and top up with the soda. Give it a gentle stir and drop in the lime wheel.
For more ways to Jazz Up Your Whisky Highball make sure to check my previous blog post.
Have you tried Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky yet? Did you try the chilled serve?
Disclaimer: This post has been created in collaboration with Suntory Global Spirits. Some of the links used are affiliate links. If you buy through the links, I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you.
Inka Larissa is an award-winning freelance spirits writer, content creator and Whisky Influencer of the Year 2026. Writing about whisky, cocktails and spirits since 2015, she explores the world of spirits from seed to glass. She is also co-host of the Whisky Sisters podcast.
