Whisky I've Drank: Chivas Regal Aged 18 Years Gold Signature

By Colleen Graham
Chivas is known for a series of fine blended Scotch whiskies ranging from a 12-year-old to an amazing 25-year-old bottling. It is the middle of the range, the 18-year-old Gold Signature, that is the most popular and reasonably-priced for a Scotch that will impress your taste buds and any friends you may have over for an evening sipper.
Beyond the normal tasting of the Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold Signature Scotch, I was asked to compare it to another considerably more expensive blended whisky, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
The Comparison:
The profiles of the two Scotches are completely different - with Chivas being "bolder, sweeter, and with notes of charcoal" and Johnnie Walker Blue being "oakier, softer, and with notes of hay". I think which is better is subjective to individual taste.
Personally, I enjoy a very bold Scotch most of the time so my preference would lean toward Chivas. Though I really enjoy Johnnie Walker Blue, it can be too light for me, especially when the ice melts. It would depend on what mood I'm in at the moment as to which I choose. I see Chivas being a year-round Scotch and Johnnie Walker Blue a summer Scotch.
I also did a comparison with Johnnie Walker Black and that is a closer match to Chivas 18 in terms of its bold side, but again, I'm leaning toward a preference for Chivas.
Yet another consideration is the price. Since the average person may well find the pricier Scotches something of a luxury, it seemed worthwhile to compare two beverages from either end of the premium spectrum as a way of discovering what you might be missing when you don't choose the more expensive option.
Beyond a subtle smoothness found in the Johnnie Walker and a completely different flavor profile, the money is well-spent either way. Again, Scotch and whisky in general are so subjective to taste that each person should follow their own preferences.
Tasting Notes on Chivas 18YO:
Chivas Regal 18 is a rich amber color, that of red wheat, and it opens with the aroma of sweet citrus, apple and a slight amount of oak.
The velvet palate is filled with caramel and peat with warm, burnt orange notes. It finishes very dry and slightly spicy with a satisfying smoke at the back.
About Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold Signature Scotch Whisky:
Distilled by Chivas Brothers in Aberdeen, Scotland
Master Blender Colin Scott
40% ABV (80 proof)

Whisky I've Drank: Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish Blenders´ Batch

By WhiskyNotes

Back to basics. Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish is the first expression in a new Blender’s Batch series. It is not usually the kind of whisky I write about, but in this festive season it is all over the place, here in Belgium you don’t have to wait long for a Red Rye commercial when you turn on the TV.

The Blender’s Batch range is all about variation and experimentation. For this first release they used whiskies matured in first-fill American oak which were blended and finished for six months in casks that previously held rye whiskey. It is a wide-scale evolution of a previous experiment, Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Finish, that was released in the US last year.

Later on new experiments will follow, not just finishes but also variations in malting, fermentation and distillation processes. Expect a Johnnie Walker Triple Grain American oak soon. I’ve also seen a Major Peat experiment, as well as The Bacchus (with Roseisle malt matured in wine casks) set for May 2017.

Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish is made from four whiskies including malt from Cardhu and grain from Port Dundas. Most of all this is a cocktail whisky aimed at a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

I asked myself whether it was a good move for Johnnie Walker to dive into this limited series concept, where a new marketing campaign is launched every few months and the whisky disappears after a while. It may not work for consumers who stick to the reliability of the ubiquitous Johnnie Walker Red. But we can only applaud the open spirit.

Johnnie Walker Red Rye Finish

(40%, OB 2016, Blender’s Batch #1)

Nose: 

sweet and spicy. There’s honey, toffee, oranges and baked apple. Warming wood spices, mainly cinnamon and ginger. Sugared cereals. Light bread crust. An ever so light hint of cedar oak. It’s in the same ballpark as a Red Label but with more spicy oak. A good thing, it gives it a little more depth. Mouth: same kind of spiciness at first. Pepper, ginger, oak shavings. Then the common blend character comes out, with caramel sweetness, vanilla and a slightly harsh, grainy tang.

Finish: 

not too long, with a vague sweetness and the lingering grainy notes.

Oak is usually what a cheap blend hasn’t been exposed too (at least not long enough) so in a way the spicy notes of this Red Rye Finish give it some depth and a sense of age. I wouldn’t sip this like a malt whisky, but given the price point, this is not bad and I agree it works well in cocktails. Around € 20.

Score: 71/100

Whisky I've Drank: Tomintoul - Glenlivet 12 Years Old

By WhiskybyEdzell
TOMINTOUL 12 YEAR OLD GLENLIVET by Whyte and Mackay, Distillers Glasgow.. Very unusual early 1990's 12 year old Glenlivet now discontinued. Round bottle of fluted glass. Large silver screw top. A dearly departed friend of the whisky connoisseur. This single malt was produced by Whyte and Mackay when they took over the Tomintoul Distillery in 1973 and launched in 1975 as something quite different. Known with affection as the " perfume bottle" or the "aftershave" it contains the finest Speyside single malt. Light, floral and fragrant it is typical of it's class and much lamented in whisky circles. Richard Patterson, master blender at Whyte and Mackays will extol it's virtues all day long. Now too rare to open on anything but very special occasions. In original packaging in top condition. Sold at a very keen price. This is a good investment.
- A 1980s bottling of Tomintoul-Glenlivet, with 43% ABV, and 750 ml.

Whisky I've Drank: Talisker Dark Storm

By Corinne Mossati

Exclusive for the travel retail sector, Talisker Dark Storm is the younger sibling of Talisker Storm which was released in 2013. The “no age statement” whisky has been dubbed as the smokiest single malt produced by the isle of Skye distillery. But for fans of peated whisky, how does it fare?

Talisker Dark Storm:

Talisker Dark Storm is bottled at 45.8% ABV and matured in heavily charred American oak casks.

Dark amber in colour, the nose is initially sweet with butterscotch and honey followed by briny salty notes and peat smoke at the end. The palate exhibits some vanilla and butterscotch sweetness progressing to sea salt and seaweed, earthy at times with a hint of nuttiness before it end with salty and smoky notes.

The finish is long, warming and lingers with sea salt then spice and ends with a peppery kick on the smoky finish.

Overall, this is a fine dram for fans of peated whisky but don’t expect the peat – either on the nose or the palate – to be significantly bolder than the Talisker Storm. Nonetheless it is an enjoyable single malt whisky that is worth keeping an eye out for in your travels.

Talisker Dark Storm is available in travel retail in 1L bottles.

Whisky I've Drank: Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By Geoff Kleinman
We will never forget the first time we had George T. Stagg bourbon – it was a revelation. Never had a spirit delivered such fireworks on the palate. Unapologetically strong (at 143 proof), George T. Stagg is the kind of whiskey you sit with and chew on for a long time. The biggest problem with George T. Stagg isn’t its monster proof, it’s that it has become nearly impossible to find. We were surprised when we heard that Buffalo Trace, the makers of George T. Stagg, were extending the George T. Stagg line with Stagg Jr., a younger barrel proof version of the notoriously strong whiskey. George T. Stagg is traditionally released as a 17 year old whiskey, while Stagg Jr. comes in at eight to nine years, literally half the age of George T. Stagg.
Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (134.4 Proof / 67.2% ABV, $49.99) is noticeably paler in color than George T. Stagg, more dark gold than amber. The nose of Stagg Jr. is spicy with cinnamon leaping out of the glass. The nose is slightly less oak forward than George T. Stagg with more honey , vanilla, and marzipan, and it’s less complex. When you add a few drops of water to Stagg Jr., the spicier undertones really amp up, especially the oak. At 134.4 proof, the entry is extremely assertive with sharp oak, vanilla, and cinnamon right out of the gate. It’s clear from the first sip that Stagg Jr. absolutely requires water, even if it’s just a couple of drops. It’s hard to call an eight or nine year old bourbon young, but there’s a youthful quality to Stagg Jr. which, from the get go, feels a little more wild, unfocused, and unintegrated. The midpalate of Stagg Jr. is dominated by oak combined with high proof spirit, so strong that it steals the thunder out of the other flavors. Sweet vanilla is in the mix as well as cinnamon, but the alcohol and oak are so dominant that it’s hard to chew through them to get to anything else. The heat and spice peak at the end of the midpalate for a spicy and dry finish. It’s not a fantastic finish and is pretty consistent with the rest of the flavor experience.
There’s no doubt that, like George T. Stagg, Stagg Jr. is a strong whiskey, but strong isn’t everything. What makes George T. Stagg such an amazing whiskey is how it balances strength with complexity; it’s a whiskey to be explored and experienced. Stagg Jr. is just strong. Stagg Jr. isn’t a terrible whiskey, it’s just a one trick pony. Whiskey enthusiasts who have experienced and enjoyed George T. Stagg probably won’t get what they are looking for from Stagg Jr., but with the relative scarcity of some of the super premium bourbons like Pappy’s (which Buffalo Trace also makes), Stagg Jr. is going to get poured a lot, especially at bars which appeal to bourbon drinkers who want to drink “high end.” Buffalo Trace assures us that Stagg Jr.’s release won’t impact the stocks of the full George T. Stagg, which we assume will continue to be painfully scarce. Our advice would be to save up and try to snag George T. Stagg when it’s released, as Stagg Jr. doesn’t even come close.

Whisky I've Drank: Chivas Regal Extra

By WhiskyandWisdom
As someone who’s more known for championing the cause of single malt, it’s very rare for me to pour myself a blended whisky, let alone to then sit down and ponder it for half an hour or so. It’s even rarer for me to subsequently then make some tasting notes and to give a blend a write up. But, sometimes, you just can’t turn your back on a good whisky.
The good folks at Chivas Brothers have put together a new expression in their Chivas Regal range, going by the simple name of “Extra”. It doesn’t have an age statement but, price-wise at RRP $73, it sits between the Chivas Regal 12 and Chivas Regal 18 expressions. Flavour-wise, to my palate, I rate it considerably higher than the 18yo expression, but that’s obviously a very subjective observation.
I’m a big fan of Chivas Brothers and what they do in the industry. From the production guys who are at the coal face at the washbacks and stills, to the tour guides that lead their devoted fans around the distilleries, to the marketing guys who are on the frontline of sales, Chivas is a company I’ve enjoyed collaborating with over the years. And, on the single malt front, I have a special place in my heart for the likes of Glenlivet, Aberlour, Strathisla, and Longmorn. But to be fair and honest, Chivas Regal 12yo is a whisky I’ve struggled to warm to. Chivas Regal Extra, on the other hand, is one that I’m extremely happy to embrace.
Extra is the first new regular Chivas Regal expression in the duty paid stream since the launch of Chivas Regal 25 in 2007. So what makes this blend different from its stablemates and stand out from the pack? The answer lies in the more pronounced use of ex-sherry casks. In any blend, the contributing malts will have been matured in a mix of both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, although the ratio is usually very much in favour of the former. In the case of Extra, a higher proportion of the contributing component whiskies have come from ex-sherry casks, and the proof is in the pudding: This is a whisky where the sweetness, dried fruits, and spice notes are very much to the fore, and you can taste the sherry influence, rather than having to imagine it.
The whisky has been bottled at 40% ABV and strikes a good balance of spirit, oak, depth, and body. My tasting notes for this were as follows:
Nose: 

Quince paste; red currants; a wee hint of cordite; and marzipan. There is, arguably, the tiniest hint of smoke. Fruit peel mix sits comfortably in the foreground. With time, some nice confectionery notes emerge that strike a happy balance between wine gums and fudge.
Palate:

Soft, rich and well-rounded, with delicate spice and a nice mead-like sweetness and texture. It has a pleasing depth and warmth – noticeably a step above its 12yo stablemate. Being a well-concocted blend, things are well balanced, and there are no aggressive flavour spikes or outliers.
Finish: 

Soft fino sherry and light caramel sauce.
Comments: 

What I really love about this blend (apart from its great balance and flavour) is that the sherry influence is apparent, without ever becoming dominant or overshadowing the whisky. No, it’s not like drinking a Glenfarclas or a Glendronach, but that’s precisely the point and why this dram appeals: It offers hints and excerpts of those sherry-dominant malts, whilst still providing vanilla & caramel notes from the component grain whiskies, and a hint of smoke from – presumably – a contributing Islay malt.
Chivas Regal Extra launches in Australia this month and, in fact, we’re the first country in the world to unveil it! Furthermore, throughout the month of September, 18 exclusive partner bars have been selected around the country to showcase the new expression. Walk into any of the bars listed below, purchase a Chivas drink, and if you request “something extra”, you’ll receive a complimentary sample of Chivas Regal Extra. 

Whisky I've Drank: The Snow Grouse - Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

By MaltMilaege.com
Rating:
★★★★☆

Score:
82/100
ABV:
40%
Region:
Scotland
Body:
Light-medium
Intensity:
Light-medium
Texture:
Medium (chilled)
Balance:
Excellent
Best served:
Chilled and neat
Theme(s):
Vodka, creamy, crisp, apple, grain whisky
In a nutshell:
The Snow Gouse is an example of excellent grain whisky that expresses a youthful and smooth vodka-like character without alcoholic harshness but with the obvious benefits of aging in oak barrels that adds depth and spiciness to an otherwise crisp and creamy whisky with an apple foundation at its core whether served chilled or at room temperature.
Likes:
Crisp, smooth, pleasant alcohol, complex
Dislikes:
Light bodied such that it lacks some substance as the youthfulness tends to dominate a little
Price:
£20
The Snow Grouse is a blended grain whisky that can be served at room temperature or chilled from the freezer. This means that it does not contain malt whisky, but grain whisky. No problems there, because grain whisky can be just as good as malt whisky. The Snow Gouse is an example of excellent grain whisky that expresses a youthful and smooth vodka-like character without alcoholic harshness but with the obvious benefits of aging in oak barrels that adds depth and spiciness to an otherwise crisp and creamy whisky with an apple foundation at its core whether served chilled or at room temperature.
Youthful whiskies can sometimes be quite impressive, and the Snow Grouse is one such example because it offers a lovely creaminess akin to a high quality vodka, but without the noticeable stench (ie: bad smell) of new spirit and this indicates exceptional distilling! White spirit such as vodka can be a pleasure to drink, because high quality vodka should be creamy and luscious without harshness and without the stench of alcohol or that unpleasant doughy new spirit smell. Snow Grouse is an example of a pleasant vodka-like whisky, because in addition to good oak influence it has that luscious creaminess and softness that is characteristic of young grain spirits that have been distilled with tender love and care. There is no alcohol smell despite its youthful demeanor, and this is impressive.
I tasted this whisky at room temperature and from the freezer (seriously chilled). The Famous Grouse recommends serving this whisky chilled, but I think it should be savoured both at room temperature and chilled. At room temperature the whisky is more fragrant on the nose whereas chilled the nose is more subdued but the taste is sweeter and more interesting.
Nose:
Room temperature: Youthful and piercing in the glass, this whisky offers thin gusts of pear and alcohol with flints of grain. The alcohol is not harsh but pleasant, almost like a high quality vodka. It has a creaminess and softness that brings dried apple, custard apple and vanilla custard with crumbled short bread and chocolate rum cake layered with blackberries and some very mild licorice. Noticeable tart berry theme at room temperature.
Seriously chilled: Fresh, light and crisp with a more luscious aroma, this whisky releases thickened custard layered over fresh apple and pear as the grain and alcohol mellow to deliver more noticeable oak in the form of vanilla and some shavings of dark chocolate wafers mixed with a good quality vodka. This whisky has a vodka themed foundation, but with the benefit of being aged in oak! I have no issues drinking this whisky chilled, because that is common among vodka drinkers; and in fact letting it warm in the palm of your hand allows the whisky to release even more character.
Taste:
Room temperature: Sharp lashes of bitter alcohol and wet tea leaves whip the tongue, as the sweetness of custard apple shines.
Seriously chilled: Smooth, like a honeyed liqueur, if offers a beautiful SNAP of flavour with a bitter-sweet theme. Sweet honeyed apple rests over buckwheat pancakes alongside bitter surges of subtle and mellow alcohol which delivers a creamy texture that recedes to bitter damp green tea leaves.
Finish:
Room temperature: Lingering softness with creamy alcohol very much finishing a high quality vodka theme, but with the snaps of grain and lovely oak influence.
Seriously chilled: 

Better, with a crisp finish, that bitter green tea lingers but sees smooth waves of sweet honeyed apple and some creamy custard.