AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
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Chivas Regal 18 yo blended Scotch, 750ml Dumpy style bottle, Presentation Box, $45-55.
This is the older "premium" version of the well known 12 year old Chivas. Being a blended scotch this does not mean it is the same mixture only older. Part of the master's touch is how a blend is created; how much of what and what age goes into his blend. Like all good blends there is a fair amount of whiskey older then the minimum 18 years stated on the bottle.
Chivas is the number one contender to Johnnie Walker's crown as the best selling premium blended scotch in the world. The main part of it's marketing has been the packaging and that it is a bit mellower than JW. However, being mellower can be a two edged sword. While the smoother character may be better for sales it is not better for the scotch IMO. Chivas comes across like the drink version of your favorite sweater, always there, always comfortable, and almost always in style. The nose is fairly clean with hints of grass and toffee while the taste reminds me of dried plums and chocolate along side that of the sherry casks this scotch matured in. The finish is long and smooth quite big really and only slightly smoky.
It is hard to fault something as well made as Chivas 18 yo but this is something made for the American market and contains none of the quirkiness that vatted or single malts do. It is a drink that you don't have to think about and any time spent analyzing it's complexities somehow doesn't seem as worthwhile as doing the same with a single malt. Chivas does exactly what it was made to do but don't expect any Scotch revelations from it.
Reputation alone almost requires a bottle of Chivas in any well stocked bar. It really is a great starter into the world of Scotch.
This is the older "premium" version of the well known 12 year old Chivas. Being a blended scotch this does not mean it is the same mixture only older. Part of the master's touch is how a blend is created; how much of what and what age goes into his blend. Like all good blends there is a fair amount of whiskey older then the minimum 18 years stated on the bottle.
Chivas is the number one contender to Johnnie Walker's crown as the best selling premium blended scotch in the world. The main part of it's marketing has been the packaging and that it is a bit mellower than JW. However, being mellower can be a two edged sword. While the smoother character may be better for sales it is not better for the scotch IMO. Chivas comes across like the drink version of your favorite sweater, always there, always comfortable, and almost always in style. The nose is fairly clean with hints of grass and toffee while the taste reminds me of dried plums and chocolate along side that of the sherry casks this scotch matured in. The finish is long and smooth quite big really and only slightly smoky.
It is hard to fault something as well made as Chivas 18 yo but this is something made for the American market and contains none of the quirkiness that vatted or single malts do. It is a drink that you don't have to think about and any time spent analyzing it's complexities somehow doesn't seem as worthwhile as doing the same with a single malt. Chivas does exactly what it was made to do but don't expect any Scotch revelations from it.
Reputation alone almost requires a bottle of Chivas in any well stocked bar. It really is a great starter into the world of Scotch.
