The Famous Grouse smoky black or the Black Grouse was first released in 2007 for the Swedish Market and is the peaty version of The Famous Grouse. They used fully matured Islay whisky, my guess is Caol Ila, and blended with the Famous Grouse. A very enjoyable scotch at an affordable price.
NOSE:
Peat notes, fruits.
PALATE:
Peat, fruits, hints of caramel and vanilla.
FINISH:
Peat, malt and caramel.
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vnwyYa
This is the original Chivas Regal blend. It was first released in 1909 and returned in 2007. In the 2010 whisky bible it was rated 95/100.
NOSE
Peach and Orange. A hint of nuts.
PALATE
Chocolate, fruits, oak
FINISH
Pleasantly long, chocolate and fruits
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3slROvm
Chivas Royal Salute 21 is, quite probably, the crescendo of smoothness for blends at this price range. Smoothness in whisky is hard to explain properly. I believe smoothness is two things; The lack of overpowering sensations in your nose and palate when drinking it and that “oh, now I feel it!” thought that pops in your mind when your brain finally processed everything.
NOSE
Honey, caramel and vanilla
PALATE
Vanilla, fruits and hints of smoke.
FINISH
Spices and toffee.
Available on Amazon Uk: https://amzn.to/3s9VD6L
Right in the middle of the Chivas Regal range you will find Chivas Regal “Gold Signature” 18 Year Old. It is the most popular of the band and is known for its dark chocolate, sherry, caramel and smoky flavor notes.
NOSE:
Marmalade, malt, dried fruits and dark chocolate.
PALATE:
Dark chocolate, oak, hints of orange marmalade.
FINISH:
Spices and cinnamon.
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fGN5S7
Chivas Regal CV is a blend released in 2018 that has matured for 15 years. Riding the wave of maturing in cognac casks Chivas Regal XV has a portion of it matured in cognac casks. It complements the Chivas range with a blend of refined, fruity and velvety flavours.
NOSE:
Orange/ Orange marmalade. Honey and peach.
PALATE:
Smooth and fruity. Apples, caramel.
FINISH:
Vanilla and pear.
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39x3pkH
“At Chivas we believe that blended is better – and nowhere is this more evident than with our new collection, which blends exceptional Scotch with a diverse, internationally-inspired palette of flavours.” Sandy Hyslop, Director of Blending at Chivas.
No matter what you believe about blends, Chivas Regal is known for its great blends. This particular blend has been, partially, matured in Oloroso sherry casks. As a result, the full-bodied flavours are drawn out.
NOSE:
Apple, lemon, cherry and hints of caramel and chocolate.
PALATE:
Berries, caramel and nuts.
FINISH:
Caramel, tobacco, spice.
Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ewsmzU
Chivas Regal! Gosh, I’ve been wanting to write about this speyside a long time now. For me, it’s a trip to the past. It was the first “premium” whisky, the “good one”. My father had it stored for special occasions; good friends visiting, a promotion, his favorite football team going in the finals. So I grew up, in a kind of awe for this blend. It was the “good whisky”. Now, having acquired some experience I came back and this is my 2 cents.
NOSE:
Lemon, honey, wild herbs and a faint hint of wood.
PALATE:
Honey again, vanilla, hazelnut, a bit peppery.
FINISH:
Peppery and sweet. A touch of lemon.
To sum up, Chivas Regal 12y is an easy to drink whisky, worthy of its price and fame. I recommend it to novice drinkers. Enjoy!
“When bourbon ages, a portion of the liquid evaporates through the barrel and up toward the heavens. Believed to be angels claiming their dues, this has been dubbed the “angel’s share.” Jim Beam Devil’s Cut is not that portion. Instead, it’s made from the liquid that gets trapped deep inside the wood of the barrel—the devil’s share. And through our proprietary process, we’ve found a way to extract it.” (https://www.jimbeam.com/en/bourbons/jim-beam-devils-cut)
Well, I am sold. Pour me one…
NOSE:
Typican bourbon sweetness. Woody, but not as expected. Vanilla and spice
PALATE:
Intense Oak. Spice and wood.
FINISH:
Wood and caramel.
Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/31cAhKT
Jim Beam Rye Pre – Prohibition style is the old yellow – labeled Rye version bottled at 45% and a new green label. Nothing wrong with that, but I don’t see the reason behind the change. The bourbon itself is great value for money and pure gold for cocktails. Try it in a Manhattan.
NOSE:
Apple, butterscotch, nutmeg and black pepper
PALATE:
Everything your nose enjoyed with the addition of oak
FINISH:
Cherry, pepper, caramel
In the whisky world, even Islay fans would agree that the Speyside region of Scotland – that is, the area that surrounds and sources the River Spey – is the Mecca of scotch. To operate a distillery that carries the name of the region therefore has a high bar to reach. The Speyside Distillery (as […]
Tasting Notes: Spey – Royal Choice — whisky unplugged
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