Category: Blended whisky Page 7 of 14

Blended whisky

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for blended whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. From Scotland and all around the world including some of the most well known and loved brands.

J&B Rare Scotch Whisky Review

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/26/2021

In Blended whisky

Continuing my exploration of budget whisky blends and today, I look at the very popular J&B Rare Blended Scotch whisky. It is another well known and affordable release from Diageo.

In 1749, Giacomo Justerini fell in love with an opera singer, Margherita Bellini, and followed her to London. He was the son of an Italian master distiller and brought with him various recipes for liqueurs.

In England, Bellini introduced him to George Johnson and together, they established the wine merchants Johnson & Justerini. In 1760, Justerini sold his part of the business to Johnson and went back home to Italy.

Johnson and subsequently his family continued to grow the business. In 1831, Johnson’s family sold the company to Alfred Brooks. The firm was renamed Justerini & Brooks.

Seeing the potential of blended whisky, J&B was one of the first London spirits merchants to buy up malt whisky stocks and create its own “house” blend.

In the early 1930s, J&B Rare Scotch whisky was developed to appeal to the American palate and as a chief rival to another new-style blended Scotch; Cutty Sark. The American market loved the blend, and over time it became one of the best-known budget blends in the world.

J&B whisky is a blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies. It includes single malts from Knockando, Auchroisk and Glen Spey. It is a NAS release, and in South Africa, it retails for around R 190. On Amazon it retails for around £26.

Other releases in the J&B whisky portfolio include the J&B Jet, J&B Reserve and the J&B Urban Honey liqueur.

Also Read: Black & White Whisky

J&B Rare Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light gold

NOSE: Grain sweetness, alcohol notes with malt and wood. Delicate hints of fruit salad sweetness. Not very complex.

PALATE: Drying oak and malt with caramel sweetness and hints of vanilla. Raws alcohol notes on the palate, which makes the dram rather rough. Water softens the alcohol notes but brings forward pepper and bitter lemon.

FINISH: Medium length with oak and bitter lemon.

RATING: GOOD

The nose has a very distinctive grain sweetness that reminds me of my university days. We could not afford anything more expensive, and we mixed the J&B whisky with some Appletiser. John used to drink this with lemonade at university. A reasonable whisky to use in cocktails.

I find that it has a cloying sweetness and too many rough alcohol notes. The bitter lemon finish is also a bit off-putting. I need to do a budget whisky side by side review to see where this fits in with the other affordable drams I have tried this year. It is not my favourite.

Also Read: Vat 69 Scotch Whisky

Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/31/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at a smoky budget blend; the Famous Grouse Smoky Black blended Scotch whisky. I have tasted my way through some of the top-selling budget blends this year. The Bell’s whisky was not too bad and brought back lots of childhood memories.

However, the Black and White whisky was too sweet. A characteristic of these budget blends is the very high grain percentage that leaves the dram (quite frequently) overly sweet and overwhelms many (if any) of the more peaty notes.

I was looking for a budget blend with a more peaty profile and then realized that I have not tasted or captures my tasting notes for the Famous Grouse Smoky Black whisky yet.

Famous Grouse launched The Smoky Black towards the end of 2015 to replace the Black Grouse whisky. According to some Internet research, the recipe of the Smoky Black is the same as Black Grouse whisky. It is described as a “smoky yet sweet whisky.”

The Famous Grouse blend is one of the top-selling brands globally, and as with many blends, it was conceived by a grocer and drinks merchant named Matthew Gloag. The Famous Grouse blend comprises whisky from various distilleries, including Macallan, Glenrothes and Highland Park.

Other releases in the Famous Grouse portfolio include the Naked Grouse and Famous Grouse Bourbon cask whisky. The Smoky Black is a NAS release and retails for around R 290 in South Africa and about £21 on Amazon in the UK. It is readily available world wide.

I loved the Black Grouse blended Scotch whisky and found it the perfect bottle to pair with Indian food and use in marinade for lamb. Will I love the Smoky Black Scotch just as much?

Also Read: Whisky and Pizza

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black Whisky Review

ABV:43%

COLOUR: A dark golden amber

NOSE: Hints of alcohol that first needs to evaporate. Sweetness with bits of smoke, cherries and lots of vanilla. Fresh pine needles and dry wood. Light peat and spices.

PALATE: Medium body with drying oak, peat and dried fruit. Pepper and cloves with smoke and grainy sweetness. Quite a bit of alcohol heat that needs a few drops of water to soften. It has the green Highland type of peat notes and not the fishy Islay kind of peat. Water tones down the heat but also washes out the peat. It becomes fairly sweet with water.

FINISH: Short with notes of bitter pectin, caramel and drying oak.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I love the new branding/packaging on this release. The bottle looks more premium when compared to the Black Grouse. However, looking at the liquid in the glass, it needs to breathe a bit for the alcohol to waft off.

Comparing it to my tasting notes for the Black Grouse, I am not convinced that the recipe stayed the same. Take into account, my last bottle of Black Grouse is long gone, and I am just comparing by memory, but I can’t remember the Black Grouse having so much alcohol heat with the grainy sweetness and very light peat.

My notes for the Black Grouse included peat and smoke followed by ginger and pepper notes, a woodiness in the palate with notes of oak and rich chocolate sweetness. I found none of that decadent chocolate sweetness with the Smoky Grouse, more of a caramel and cherry type sweetness.

The Smoky Grouse is not a bad whisky and will work nicely in a cocktail, but I am not sure that I will repurchase this bottle. I have also managed to get hold of a Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask release and really enjoyed it.

Also Read: William Lawson’s Whisky

Chivas Regal 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/28/2021

In Blended whisky

When you hear the name Chivas Regal, it’s like stepping back in time to a bygone era of whisky, where it was served in dimly lit, dark wood and leather-clad libraries. For me, it evokes memories of my father, reclining with a “scotch” in hand, especially the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended Scotch whisky, his all-time favourite, some four decades ago.

This dram has stood the test of time and maintained a stellar reputation that continues to captivate whisky enthusiasts.

Paul Pacult, in the year 2000, aptly described it as “the blend for grown-ups, for people who have made their rites of passage and are ready to enjoy their success. Sweet, but not cloying. Buxom, but not overblown.”

Chivas Brothers, with roots tracing back to 1801, initially opened a grocery store in Aberdeen, catering to an affluent clientele by offering luxury products like coffee, exotic spices, and imported French brandies. This establishment had a cellar, where the brothers initiated the tradition of ageing whiskies.

As times evolved, their discerning patrons sought a smoother, more opulent whisky experience. In response, the brothers began blending these aged whiskies. They crafted a proprietary blend, Royal Glen Dee, followed by another, Royal Strathythan.

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, causing a temporary halt in production. But once the dust settled, Chivas Regal re-emerged as the beloved Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky.

To meet the ever-growing demand, Chivas Brothers acquired the Strathisla distillery, which plays a pivotal role in producing one of the primary components of the blend. The heart and soul of Chivas Regal is still the Strathisla distillery, nestled in Moray in Speyside, Scotland. Notably, Strathisla distillery holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland.

The Chivas range extends beyond the Chivas Regal 12 year old blended Scotch whisky. It includes other delightful offerings like Chivas Extra, the exquisite Chivas XV, and the sophisticated Chivas 18 year old whisky. The brand is owned by Pernod Ricard.

Now, let’s delve into the Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky itself:

Also Read: How to start a whisky club

Chivas Regal 12 year old Blended Whisky Review

The Chivas Regal 12 year old whisky is a blend of many different malt and grain whiskies, matured for at least 12 years.
ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Golden wheat with hints of mahogany

NOSE: Sweet aromas with hints of fresh cherries, caramel toffee, freshly cut flowers, and a subtle woodiness. There’s a refreshing green note on the nose, complemented by traces of cinnamon and vanilla.

PALATE: Neat, the Chivas offers a peppery spice kick. Notes of toasted oak, malt, and a touch of fruity sweetness make it a smooth, medium-bodied dram. Adding a few drops of water transforms the experience, softening the peppery notes and accentuating the creamy toffee and malt.

FINISH: A medium-length finish with lingering notes of peppery spice and zesty lemon rind.

RATING: VERY GOOD

It’s a drink that holds a special place in my heart and my hubby, who once considered it an aspirational choice. It was my father’s preferred pour and John’s dream drink when he grew up. However, as John and I revisit it after many years, we can’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about.

While it remains a smooth, easy-drinking option that won’t break the bank, it tends to blend into the background. It’s nicely balanced and well-crafted, but nothing truly stands out.

In South Africa the Chivas 12 year old retail for around R420 and in India it costs around ₹ 3,280.

Perhaps our palates have evolved towards whiskies with bolder flavour profiles over the years. Nevertheless, it’s still a pleasant choice, especially with a few drops of water to enhance the experience.

For those curious about how Chivas Regal 12 year old stacks up against Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky or even intrigued by a side-by-side comparison with Chivas Extra, stay tuned for our rainy afternoon experiments in exploring the nuances of these blended drams.

I have also experimented with the Chivas 12 year old and the Glenfiddich 12 year old to see how the blend match up to the single malt. Follow the link to see my views on this comparison.

Also Read: Dewar’s 12 yo Whisky

Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 04/12/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at an affordable brand with a memorable catchphrase. It was also my dad’s every day drinking whisky. So it has been around for quite a while; the Bell’s blended Scotch whisky.

An advert aired in SA round 2014 showed an elderly gentleman in his ambition to learn to read. Throughout the commercial, viewers watch the lead character attend reading classes, spell messages of devotion to his wife using fridge magnets, and play scrabble with his friends.

Ultimately, his motivation is to read the book his son has written. As he gives his son the news he has, at last, read his book, his jubilant son remarks, “Give that man a Bell’s”.

This catchphrase has become part of SA social culture. If someone achieves something extraordinary, people will comment, “Give that man a Bell’s”.

In 1851, Perth based Arthur Bell began to blend various single malts to create a more consistent blended whisky. His two sons, Robert and Arthur, joined the business in partnership in 1895.

By the 1880s, the company was focused on blended whisky. At the end of Prohibition in America, there was a sudden surge in demand, and Arthur Bell & Sons acquired Blair Athol and Dufftown distilleries in 1933.

In 1936 they added the Inchgower distillery to the portfolio. By 1970, Bell’s was the highest-selling whisky in Scotland. Today the brand still has significant market shares in the UK, South Africa, the Nordic countries, Spain and Brazil.

In 1994, an 8 year old age statement was added. It was at a time when there was a surplus of mature Scotch whisky. But in 2008, the supply of mature whisky became a problem, and the age statement was removed.

The Well Known Bell’s Decanter

Bell’s is also known for the ceramic bell-shaped decanters that it released for special occasions such as Charles & Diana’s wedding and Christmas.
There is a Bell’s Special Reserve that is (was) available in SA. Bell’s is a blend of about 40 grain and malt whiskies. It includes whisky from all around Scotland, including Dufftown, Inchgower, Glenkinchie and Caol Ila.

These are all blended with Blair Athol’s malt. Bell’s is a brand of blended whisky initially produced by Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd and now owned by Diageo.

Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Amber gold

NOSE: A few alcohol notes that need a few minutes to dissipate. After the alcohol evaporates, there is a fruity sweetness, gentle spice with cereal bits. Hints of shortbread and grain.

PALATE: Not as sweet as the nose. Notes of malt, oak, pepper and apricots. The Bell’s blended whisky has a medium body. Some alcohol heat. A few drops of water soften the pepper and alcohol notes and bring more fruity sweetness to the front. I managed to finish the glass with no trouble. The Bell’s whisky is not the most complex dram, but never the less drinkable.

FINISH: Medium long finish. End in notes of pepper and citrus.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The moment I opened the bottle, it brought back so many memories. There was always a bottle of Bell’s in the house growing up, and it was my dad’s regular drinking whisky. His special occasion whisky was the Chivas or the Dimple. The nose immediately reminded me of his glass of whisky.

Also, when we were sick, my mother would make us a remedy of hot milk with sugar and a shot of whisky. The whisky she used was always the Bell’s, and the moment I tasted it, I had clear memories of drinking it with the hot milk in bed.

It was not as sticky sweet, or harsh as the Black & White whisky I had a few weeks ago; quite drinkable, actually. For the price point, it is not a bad buy. What makes this whisky unique, for me, is all the cherished childhood memories that it brings back.

For that alone, it deserves a place in my whisky collection. In South Africa, this blend retails for around R210 and is widely available.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish whisky

Chivas Regal XV Blended Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/01/2021

In Blended whisky

Today I look at something relatively new. Not a new brand, Chivas Regal has been one of the best selling whiskies globally, but a new release. Launched in 2018, Chivas Regal XV whisky is a 15 year old blended Scotch whisky that has been finished in casks that previously held Grande Champagne Cognac.

I have written extensively about the history of Chivas Regal. You can find more in my blog post on the Chivas Regal 12 yo whisky and Chivas Extra. These two releases, especially the Chivas Regal Extra is recognizable for the sherry influence. It will be interesting to see what some finishing in Cognac will do to this fruity house style.

Chivas Regal XV is a blend of grain and single malt whiskies with Strathisla spirits being a significant component. This distillery is known as the spiritual home of Chivas. Strathisla distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands. I was curious to find out what Grande Champagne Cognac is and if it had anything to do with bubbly.

Cognac Grande Champagne is a cognac brandy made from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne region, distilled in the Grande Champagne region, and matured in the Grande Champagne region. The area is located just south of Cognac town, sandwiched between the Charente river and its tributary, the Né.

Also Read: Bisquit & Dubouché VS Cognac

Chivas Regal XV Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Warm amber

NOSE: Fruity sweetness and toasted oats. Bits of creamy oak, oranges, cinnamon and brown sugar, brandy-soaked sultanas. A green floral note in the background. Clean, elegant and inviting.

PALATE: Oak, pepper and dried fruit. Not quite as sweet as the nose suggests. Hints of grain and apples with cinnamon. Adding water brings the fruity sweetness to the front with buttery caramel and sultanas. There is a luxurious mouthfeel to this dram. It is silky smooth and very drinkable. Only the slightest hints of the cognac cask but enough to make it noticeable. Not the most complex dram, but approachable.

FINISH: Cinnamon, toasted oak and soft fruity notes. Medium length but warming and delicious.

RATING: EXCELLENT

A delicious blend. I opened this bottle towards the end of December, and I don’t think it will see the middle of February. The only bottle we finished faster was the Ardbeg An Oa. It is delicious and drinkable.

I missed the sherry notes from the Chivas Extra a bit, but the creamy mouth made up for the loss. This bottle will make a perfect gift for a whisky lover.

The cognac finish makes it luxurious; however, it remains easy drinking. The Chivas Regal XV is not overly complicated or intimidating, but approachable and delicious. The XV whisky cost about R520 in SA, which I don’t think is too expensive for a 15 year old dram. On Amazon you can pick it up for around £40.

Also Read: Balvenie Golden Cask vs Caribbean Cask Whisky