Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky: a battle of two iconic drams. This week, I do another weekend side-by-side comparison, and I decided to try this epic battle. Chivas is a well-known luxury blended Scotch whisky, and Glenfiddich is one of Scotland’s biggest single malt distillers.
It is a single malt vs blended whisky battle. You will find both these bottles in many bars across the world. If you are stranded somewhere, which one should you choose?
Chivas Regal 12 year old Whisky
Established in 1801, the Chivas Brothers created various blended Scotch whiskies for their wealthy clientele. In the early 1900s, with the U.S. economy booming and a surge in demand for luxury goods, Chivas Brothers introduced a new blend for export, christening it Chivas Regal.
However, Prohibition and World War 2 intervened, temporarily halting production. Once the dust settled, Chivas Regal re-emerged as the beloved 12 year old whisky.
The heart and soul of Chivas Regal is still the Strathisla distillery, nestled in Moray in Speyside, Scotland. Notably, Strathisla Distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland.
The Chivas Regal 12 year old is a blend of malt and grain whiskies with a big portion of Speyside malts.
The Chivas range also includes other offerings like Chivas Extra, the exquisite Chivas XV, and the sophisticated Chivas 18 year old whisky. Pernod Ricard owns the brand.
Also Read: Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenlivet 12 yo Whisky
Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky
The Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 in Dufftown, Scotland, close to the Glen of the River Fiddich. To this day, it remains in family ownership. Other distilleries that also form part of the William Grant group include Balvenie Distillery. The name roughly translates to Valley of the Deer in Gaelic.
Glenfiddich pioneered its iconic triangular bottle in 1957 and introduced tubes and gift tins for its bottles. This tradition continues to this day. The Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in a combination of Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks
The core range include the 12 year old, the 15 year old, the 18 year old and the spectacular Gran Reserva 21 year old. There are also various special releases, such as the Age of Discovery series. .
Chivas Regal 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky
| Chivas Regal 12 yo | Glenfiddich 12 yo | |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Type | Blended Whisky | Single Malt Whisky |
| Colour | Golden wheat | Bright amber |
| Nose | Fresh cherries, caramel toffee, freshly cut flowers, and a subtle woodiness. There's a refreshing green apple note complemented with cinnamon and vanilla. | Pear, oak and honey. Hints of yellow apple, honey sweetness and vanilla. Florals and faint spice. |
| Palate | Toasted oak, malt, and a touch of apple sweetness. Pepper and toffee. Smooth drinking with a medium-body. | Creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. A subtle hint of pear mixed with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. A smooth, medium-bodied whisky. |
| Finish | A medium-length finish with lingering notes of peppery spice and zesty lemon rind. | Medium length with notes of pear, oak and spice. A lovely oily mouth feel. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Food Pairing | Aged cheddar cheese or dark chocolate. | A pear and ginger crumble. |
| Price | £ 23 / $ 29 | £ 34 / $ 43 |
First, let’s look at the similarities. Both these drams are medium-bodied, smooth, and soft-drinking, making them great introductions to Scotch whisky for newbies.
The Glenfiddich 12 year old single malt and the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended whisky are readily available worldwide and not too expensive.
Side by side, the different fruit notes that whisky can produce become visible.
On the nose, the Glenfiddich has notes of pear and oak with a honey sweetness. The Chivas has notes of ripe cherries and apples with cinnamon and vanilla.
On the palate, the apple notes that were so prominent on the Chivas Regal nose continue with hints of toasted oak, cinnamon, toffee, and pepper.
In comparison, Glenfiddich’s palate brings pear and creamy oak with hints of nutmeg and nuts.
Both drams have a medium-length finish, with the Chivas Regal ending on more peppery notes than the Glenfiddich. The finish on the Glenfiddich is softer and sweeter.
Both of these drams offer little complexity but are solid, drinkable whiskies. They are both well-balanced and well-crafted, but nothing truly stands out.
It is difficult to pick a favourite. I don’t mind having both of these bottles in my collection. Which one will I pick when I am stranded somewhere? Probably the Glenfiddich 12 year old whisky. With my sweeter palate, it has a softer finish with fewer peppery notes. John, however, prefers something a bit more spicy, and for him, it will be the Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky.
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