Celebrating the Blends: James Eadie, Nikka and Perpetuity

Blended whiskies often get overlooked in favour of flashy single malts, but the best ones showcase masterful harmony and character that no single distillery can match alone. Today I’m pitting three very different blends against each other: a revived historic Scottish blend at cask strength, a modern “infinity” Scottish blend that evolves with every batch, and a cult Japanese/world whisky given extra time to marry. All three are limited or small-batch expressions worth hunting down. Let’s dive in.

James Eadie Trade Mark X Batch Two – 57.1% ABV

James Eadie was a legendary 19th-century Glasgow blender who supplied whiskies to the trade under his “Trade Mark X” label. The brand vanished in the 1940s but was triumphantly revived in 2016 using only distilleries Eadie himself once bought from (including some long-silent names), matured exclusively in American oak or sherry casks, and expertly married by veteran blender Norman Mathison. Batch Two amps things up to a bruising 57.1% ABV with an extended marrying period that smooths the edges without muting its peaty, malty soul. It’s a proper “malt monster” that punches well above its blended status.

Nose: Rich dried fruits—sultanas, apricots, and figs—drizzled with spiced rum and a whisper of sherry. Subtle grassy peat smoke curls underneath, joined by vanilla pods, oily walnuts, and a hint of fresh-baked malt loaf.

Palate: Full-bodied and chewy at cask strength. Waves of Mexican chocolate, roasted nuts, and dark toffee crash in, balanced by that signature light peat and cereal sweetness. A touch of white pepper and oak spice keeps it lively.

Finish: Long and warming. Dark chocolate and freshly roasted coffee fade into toasted walnut, gentle oak tannins, and a lingering whisper of bonfire smoke. Water opens it beautifully if you want to tame the beast. 89/100

Port Leith Perpetuity Batch IV – 46% ABV

Created by the team behind the soon-to-open Port of Leith Distillery (and Leith Export Co.), Perpetuity is a true infinity-style blend. Each batch is built by vatting ~65% of the previous batch with carefully chosen new casks—think a living, evolving whisky rather than a static recipe. Batch IV draws on Speyside, Highland, and Lowland malts and grains (including recent additions of Ardmore and Glensheil alongside Glentauchers, Deanston, and North British), all married together for silky integration. It’s deliberately approachable yet layered, with natural colour and no chill-filtration.

Nose: Elegant and inviting—stone fruits (peaches, apricots) and toffee apple lead, brightened by zesty orange marmalade and creamy vanilla custard. A soft floral lift and faint Lapsang Souchong tea warmth add depth.

Palate: Smooth and vibrant. Sweet orchard fruit and butterscotch give way to tangy orange oil, stewed apple, and gentle vanilla ice-cream richness. Subtle earthy/sooty peat smoke lurks in the background, keeping things interesting without dominating.

Finish: Medium-to-long and supremely comforting. Marmalade sweetness lingers with a touch of lemon drizzle cake, clotted cream, and that signature whisper of tea and gentle smoke. Superbly balanced. 87/100

Nikka From the Barrel Extra Marriage Limited Edition – 51.4% ABV

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a huge fan of the Nikka from the Barrel blend, one o fthe best whiskies you can buy under £40 (no unfortunately only possible when its on special offer. Nikka’s iconic From the Barrel (launched 1985) is already a world-beater: a blend of over 100 malt and grain whiskies from Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and even Ben Nevis in Scotland. For its 40th anniversary, Nikka gave the components an “Extra Marriage”—double the usual vatting time (up to six months) in used oak at their Tochigi cellar. The result is the same cult square bottle (now 50cl with a silver label) but with noticeably richer harmony, bottled at the signature 51.4% ABV. It’s technically a “world whisky” yet tastes every bit the premium Japanese classic.

Nose: Soft yet luxurious—warm caramel, honeycomb, and ripe tropical fruit (baked apple, dried apricot) with vanilla custard and flamed orange peel. Gentle smoke, lemongrass, fresh ginger, and a hint of peat bog add intrigue.

Palate: Rich and full-bodied with a silky texture. Bold chocolate, oak spice, zesty lemon, honey, and toffee lead, while pungent yet refined peat smoke weaves through malt, butterscotch, and cocoa powder. The extra marriage time has softened any grain harshness into layered elegance.

Finish: Long and refined. Woody oak tannins, subtle herbal bitterness, and lingering caramel popcorn with a touch of singed orange peel. Satisfyingly dry yet never austere. 93/100

The Verdict

These three blends prove that blending is an art form in its own right. James Eadie Trade Mark X Batch Two is the bold, peaty powerhouse for those who love intensity and history at cask strength. Port Leith Perpetuity Batch IV is the crowd-pleaser—elegant, evolving, and dangerously easy to drink, perfect for sharing. Nikka From the Barrel Extra Marriage delivers refined Japanese precision with extra depth and that signature harmonious glow.

If I had to pick one for the desert-island shelf? The Nikka edges it for sheer polish and complexity. All three are excellent examples of why great blends deserve respect—and a place in any serious collection. Slàinte!

Which would you try first? Let me know in the comments.