Black and White Scotch Whisky Bottle Price & Guide (2023)

Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Diageo is widely famous for producing best-selling liquor brands, including Johnnie Walker, J&B, and Crown Royal. However, Black and White Scotch whisky may not be as familiar, but it is a classic brand that supplied the royal family before. 

This article is a quick review of the Black and White whisky price and how it has remained a successful brand for over a century. 

Everything About Black & White Whisky

Black and White Whisky is a simple and light whisky with grain-forward and well-rounded flavors that started hitting the market in 1884.

The iconic presentation of Black and White Whisky started when James Buchanan chose a black Scottie dog and a white West Highland Terrier after attending a dog show. 

It became a classic old blend that gained more popularity through films, television shows, and endorsements from famous personalities like Walt Disney and Dean Martin.

Key Information

Origin

In 1884, James Buchanan was a London entrepreneur who started selling blended Scotch to cater to English people’s tastes.

And beginning in 1898, during the reign of Queen Victoria, he continually secured royal warrants, followed by Edward VII and George V [1]. 

From then on, it continues to be one of the best-selling blended Scotch whiskies in the world. 

Production & Maturation Process

Black & White goes through a masterful blending formula incorporated by the distillers to address all the subtle flavors of the whiskies.

Although it may sound easy, it is quite a complicated making process.

The maturation period takes up to twelve years, though the brand introduced eight-year-old expressions in the past.

Key Ingredients & ABV

The distillers choose to source most of their Single Malts from Glendullan, Clynelish, and Dalwhinnie.

Meanwhile, 60% to 65% of the blend consists of Single Grain whiskies from Cameronbridge and Port Dundas. 

Its alcohol content ranges from 40% to 43.4% ABV, the usual bottling proof for a Scotch whisky. Check out these single-malt Scotch whiskies under $100. 

Tasting Notes

• Palate – This Scotch whisky brand has strong oak, caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and peat flavors on the palate.
• Nose – At first, it has a muted smell, but you will eventually pick up some peat, sour citrus, sharp grain, and mild vanilla notes. 
• Color  – It has a light gold or pale yellow color. 
• Finish – The sip ends in a medium finish with slight honey sweetness and some smoke presence.

Ownership

James Buchanan established James Buchanan & Co., but in 1915, he merged with John Dewar & Son Ltd. The Buchanan-Dewar Ltd, after a decade, joined the Distillers Company, Ltd (DCL).

Later on, after a series of company mergers and acquisitions, Black and White ended up under Diageo, one of the world’s largest producers of alcoholic drinks. 

Price & Value

Its 1L bottle is available at some retailers for $25 to $30, while the 750ml bottle price is lower than $20 at some stores.

However, the brand could still sell at higher price points during an auction, especially for their old bottles released at the beginning of the 20th century. 

Read: Scotch Whisky vs Irish Whiskey

Common Black & White Prices

Type	Size	Alcohol By Volume	Average Price
Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky	1.75L	40%	$30 – $45
1900 Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky	750ml	40%	$3,000 – $3,200 (recent auction price)
1938 Buchanan’s Black and White De Luxe	750ml	43.4%	$2,000 – $2,800 (recent auction price)
Black & White Mid 20th Century Whisky	700ml	43%	$500 – $540

Compared to Other Scotch Whiskies

Glenlivet

This brand offers a 750ml bottle of Single Malt Scotch Whisky for around $30 to $40, almost the same range as the 1.75L of Black & White.

The whisky is also 12 years old with a creamy mouthfeel and the richness of honeyed malt, fragrant floral, and orchard fruit flavors. 

Read: Glenlivet 12 Scotch Whisky Guide & Review

Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal offers a more expensive 12-Year-Old blended whisky for around $50 to $70 per 1.75L bottle.

It is a soft and easy to enjoy blend with dried flowers and a light toffee aroma. 

This Blended Scotch is buttery and oily with a glossy mouthfeel that gives a sophisticated and luxurious drinking experience. 

Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is a widely recognizable blended Scotch whisky produced by Diageo.

Its 1.75L bottle of 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch is more expensive, around $55 to $75.

It has dark, rich, and balanced flavors of sweet vanilla, creamy caramel, light oak, and soft toffee, which sets a blended Scotch whisky standard.

Popular Black and White Cocktails

Black And White Russian

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1-ounce whisky
• 1-ounce coffee liqueur
• 2 ounces cream or 4 ounces milk

Instructions:

Pour the coffee liqueur, whisky, and cream (or milk) into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Stir until well-chilled. Serve and enjoy. 

Serving: 1

Black and White Italian Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces whisky
• ½ ounce Cynar Amaro
• ¾ ounce sweet vermouth
• Luxardo Maraschino cherry

Instructions:

Pour the whisky, Cynar Amaro, and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well-chilled.

Strain the mixed drink into a chilled coupe glass and garnish it with cherry. Serve. 

Serving: 1

FAQs

In Summary

The Black and White Whisky price is lower than most blended Scotch whiskies. It is one of the reasons that many people overlooked this brand for more famous names such as Johnnie Walker. 

Despite that, Black and White is an old brand that remains one of the most respectable and best-selling products in the liquor world.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK524998/