Chivas Regal 12yo (40%, OB, +/- 2010)

A very famous blended Scotch whisky with Strathisla distillery at the ‘spiritual home’. On the nose there is some nice toffee along with some good rich fruit notes (think dried apricot, cherries and raisins). Very luscious and luxuriant and some hints of marmalade pop up looking for attention. All these notes are given some back bone by the oak spice that weaves in and out of the aromas. The taste is surprisingly gentle at first but it quickly grows in stature with a little ‘green’ notes and some good malt notes. The sweetness only adds to the collective and enhances the taste significantly. Well, well, what a nice little dram. A little oak spice also adds to the whole experience. The finish is also very good and is quite simply a mirror of the taste; it’s very long and warming.

Quite frankly this is a really excellent blended Scotch whisky which is very consistent from aromas through to finish.

A mere $23 in some markets

Score 87 points

http://www.chivas.com/en/INT/Chivas-Heritage/