Chieftain’s Range

Rare Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

•Since 1936, Ian Macleod Distillers, through its dedication to tradition and quality, has amassed an unrivalled cask stock from Scotland’s many distilleries. This enviable collection includes extremely rare malts, some from closed or mothballed distilleries. The Chieftain’s collection hallmark is that each bottling must be fit for a King, a Leader or in the Celtic world, a Chieftain
•The new look Limited Edition Chieftain’s will appeal to the specialist, connoisseur, collector, enthusiast and those seeking an exceptional premium malt whisky gift. Each bottle is signed by our Chieftain’s Rare Malt Manager, and provides details of the wood type, cask number, number of bottles, vintage year, age and bottling date

•The small batch releases of Chieftain’s are selected for the Spring and Autumn collections each year with a variety of distilleries, vintages, wood maturations and strengths being made available

•The new, elegant antique bottle is reminiscent of a 1900 whisky bottle. It is decorated with a new style label design complete with new branding, calligraphy and watermark illustrations of Scotland, representative of the 5 different whisky producing regions. Each region is colour coded to signify the differences in the style of each whisky

•The new more individual rigid presentation gift box, surrounding the antique bottle, in ribbed and matt black with gold lining, is a true reflection of the quality of the whisky, and with its folding back head beautifully presents the product. On the rear of the box you will find a label describing the various styles of whiskies you can get from the different regions of Scotland, all of which are represented in the Chieftain’s range
•Chieftain’s is bottled at natural colour and unchill-filtered to preserve all the natural esthers of the whisky for fuller flavour and smoother taste.

•Each Chieftain’s bottling has its own personality and may vary in strength, colour and style. From the very pale, bourbon cask matured to the very amber sherry cask matured
•When finishing the whisky in a variety of wood, each cask is checked and selected by our expert noses and released only when we believe it has reached its peak and has not masked the personality of the original spirit

•Multi-award winning

The Cigar Malt Fifth Edition 15yo (46%, Chieftain’s Range)

Bottled at “Natural Colour, unchill-filtered” from an un named distillery. On the nose there’s some good cocoa or dark chocolate right away or even chocolate covered cherries along with some good sweet malt notes. Hints of maple and crème brulèe and some really nice fruit or fruit cake. All very pleasant. The taste is quite big with some vague hints of green malt hidden in the background (reminds one of Dalmore), some good malt, moments of the cocoa and chocolate with the addition of the fruit however nothing dramatic jumps out. Some slight floral notes come visiting (heather or mint or even lavender?) Hard to say but the floral does add some character. So far so good. The finish is long and little fruity with once again some good malt and more of the chocolate. The malt really takes over after a while and is very nice.

Price unknown

Score 81 points

Aultmore 12yo 1997/2009 (46%, Chieftain’s Range, Medoc Finish)

The nose is mildly industrial at first followed by some nice pleasant sweet notes which arrive bearing warm lychee, citrus and marmalade. After some time in the glass some good wood notes also emerge (clove and varnish) but they are very subtle. The nose is very nice and happily some good malt pops into the picture a little late in the game but welcome none the less. The taste is a some what drier than anticipated with some cured unlit tobacco, a little leather, coconut matting, cedar and then some malt. The malt is consistent in arriving late which is some what consistent. The wood notes continue yet while they are ever present they are not over whelming; some sweetness in the form of rich sun dried raisins does make an appearance. The finish is more of the industrial and is very active, the wood notes as described with some malt and the raisins but a bit of a jumble. It’s quite long and even; the malt wins in the end. Oh! Spoken too soon; some green malt pops up at the last (slightly bitter) and a hint of smoke.

What part the Medoc plays is unknown; it all seems to work but confused at some junctures.

$68

Score 80 points

Glen Grant 13yo 1997/2010 (46%, Chieftain’s Range)

The absolute palest sample ever seen at Whisky Intelligence; not that it matters but it does stand out for the unusual lack of colour. On the nose there are some green notes right off along with some over ripe fruit (apples, pears etc) then some malt and slight hints of perfume emerge from the glass. Interestingly there are very vague hints of smoke which is intriguing. Improves with some time in the glass. The taste is much as described on the nose but more emphasis on the malt, some really good black pepper (I say, perhaps Sumatran?) and then green malt and chocolate. Again quite intriguing. All very good, a little bit of a tussle between the malt and the green malt notes but in the end they work well together. Hints of juniper. The finish is once again much as the nose and the taste however a little bit more of the pepper and some oak spice and hints of the smoke again. A medium long finish. After a minute or two the malt really becomes evident as does the smoke….

An enjoyable dram that has not suffered from a lack of colour at all (Let that be a lesson to you). A peated Glen Grant…mysterious.

$50

Score 84 points

Ardbeg 1998 12yo (46%, Chieftains’ Range)

The nose has some quite nice peat smoke backed by some cedar aromatics, bees wax, and very clean, indeed some brine, coal smoke and iodine plus a little chocolate? A little time in the glass brings out some really good earthy notes; images of Islay peat bogs swirl into the imagination, the peat smoke and earthiness is also complimented by a little lemon and creaminess. All very intoxicating. The taste is a little fragrant at first (some juniper and cedar- very much form the oak side of the house) this quickly morphs into the chocolate and the earthiness as previously observed on the nose. A little prickly in the mouth and lashings of peat reek; all very Ardbeg at it’s best. The finish is quite dry; like stuffing wads of cotton in your mouth along with the peat characteristics, the citrus and earthiness. Very long, warming and pleasant. Cold unbuttered toast and lashings of crunchy peated malt…blood oranges. Ah very complex…

Perfect for either a winter night by the fire or a cool summer night by the ocean, a very enjoyable dram.

$90

Score 89 points

Many thanks to Sam Filmus of Impex Beverages for the samples…apologies for the delay in posting these tasting notes.

Alberta Premium 30yo (40%, OB, 2011)

On the nose there is some hard flinty rye, however this is fleeting; the resulting descriptors are ‘soft’ with some really good oily & fruity notes. Earthy, loam, very much all in that vein but backed by the ever present rye; fragrant and soft. While the aromas are very gentle there is still a lot activity and it’s all very good. Sensational actually. Whisky doesn’t always have to slap you in the face with a wet kipper to be sensational. Time in the glass only improves the collection of aromas. The taste is all Alberta Premium and it does not disappoint; good fruit, oak spice (quite lively), some welcome unsweetened Fry’s cocoa, some rye but not over whelming. The taste keeps on evolving, very complex, multi faceted and very drinkable. The finish is very much of ginger, oak spice and latterly the rye and then the oak spice while both being very, very long.

A beautiful vibrant whisky that any distiller would be damned proud to have in their portfolio. Not an off moment to be found affirmed but the lack of shady characters jumping up unrepentantly and shaking their tainted fists at you.

$50 (However esentially sold out…pity)

Score 91 points

GlenDronach 31yo (45.8%, OB, ‘Grandeur’, 1013 Bts., Batch #1)

On the nose it is very richly sherried with a slew of descriptors centering around richness; Christmas cake, dark marmalade, vanilla bean, fruit tarts and some really nice spiciness including some hints of cocoa. This is a really sensational collection of aromas. Heavy on the fruit. The taste is a departure from the aromas at first; more of leather and tobacco (some what dry) and show much more influence from the time spent in the cask. The fruit is secondary to the wood notes however they are not over whelming but actually very good. A bit of a grizzled old gruff gentleman…The finish is aligned to the taste with some good dry notes but once again not over whelming and in many ways quite gentle. It’s medium long to long and not dramatic but it is there. After a few minutes some really good gentle oak notes stand alone…the whisky but a memory.

An interesting whisky to be sure.

$525

Score 88 points

… www.ralfy.com WhiskyReview #210 – Bladnoch 19yo Forum Bottling and other critical stuff about some Producers … and Colin in Liverpool, England gets a nice surprise.

NIKKA 21yo (45%, OB, Taketsuru ‘Pure Malt’, +/-2010)

On the nose there it’s gentle and good, puzzlingly different but shrieks of quality; some good fruit, some oak and some lingering malt, all in harmony. The aromas are seductive and after some time in the glass some more of the sweet oak become a little more assertive but still backed by the fruit. This is really sensational; apologies from that lack of control. The taste is everything as above and it all intermingled together very well; some sweetness from the fruit, some malt and then the oak spice (again still sweet but in balance). A little bit of leather and tobacco, slightly more leather to be fair. Very more-ish. The finish is vibrant and long, warming, still very good. Some elder Highland Park moments in here and then a small blast of sweet malt. And more, it keeps on going, an unusually long finish.

Yet another wonderful and very drinkable Japanese whisky.

$175

Score 89 points

Won “World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky” at the 2010 World Whisky Awards.

Highland Park 25yo (48.1%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose is slightly diesel oily with some good malt, some very good notes that are characteristic of Highland Park along with some very good sweetness. This is not a giant collection of aromas but some what subtle but still very good; they all work very well together. Perhaps a tinge of smoke lurking in the back ground? Time in the glass only improves the overall collection of aromas. The taste is honeyed with some good malt moments and lashings of orange and citrus, dry cake, wet cotton and a hint of smoke (or not) it’s quite vague. But it’s all very good. The finish is warming, long, sweetish and tinged with some good oak moments. Some more of the citrus and now some oak spice along with a little tobacco (unlit like when you crumble a cigarette and smell the tobacco in your hands). Dried fruits (apricots, apples & peaches.

Huzzah! Well done

$283 or £135 from the Whisky Exchange

Score 91 points

Yamazaki

The Pioneer of Japanese Whisky

From Yamazaki was born the surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world.

Today, Yamazaki is not only the “number-one” single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than twenty-five countries. From www.suntory.com

Yamazaki 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

The nose presents some smoke like aromas along with wet cotton, a good heaviness and nice oak spice. The taste is spicy with some tea leaves, marmalade, lashings of black pepper and it’s surprisingly strong. The oak spice comes through quite quickly but it does not take over the short, it is all complimentary. This is a very nice whisky. Some fruit of disguised origin lurks in the back ground. The finish is very much of chocolate (unsweetened dark), more of the oak spice and black pepper and finally towards the end some really good chewy malt.

Yet another excellent whisky from Japan.

$35 in some US markets

Score 87

Hibiki

The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony. The enigma of perfection, the paragon of the art of whisky and the art of Japan’s artisans.

Hibiki, meaning resonance in Japanese, speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. Hibiki resonates from nature, and all the subtleties found from the twenty four seasons of the old Japanese lunar calendar. Numerous types of pure single malt whiskies ageing in various types of casks, including Mizunara, a very rare Japanese oak, all combine to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas.

Seductive, blossoming and enigmatic, Hibiki celebrates the unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship, and sense of luxury of the House.

Bearing the seal of the House of Suntory, this majestic blend is its rightful paragon. From http://www.suntory.com/

Hibiki 12yo Japanese Blended Whisky (43%, OB, +/-2010)

On the nose there is some good sweetness backed by lots of oak note however the oak does not dominate. There is also some tinned fruit cocktail and lychee fruit, it’s all rather lovely and verges on sensational. This is a blended whisky? No matter, it’s very good. The sweetness is simply rather lovely. The taste is a tussle between the sweetness, the oak spice notes and some really good leather & tobacco moments tinged with some really excellent cocoa. Brown sugar and furniture polish, cold unsweetened black tea (but in a good way); good influence from the casks and very tasty. The finish shows some malt and all the other characteristics as previously described. It’s quite long and does not veer off on a tangent. 

……… all combine to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas….quite right!

$40

Score 88 points

Dewar’s 12yo Special Reserve (40%, OB, +/-2009)

The Official Line. Dewar’s 12 is a perfectly balanced marriage of carefully selected 12 year old malt and grain Scotch whiskies, created by Dewar’s seventh Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod . This perfectly balanced taste is achieved through the marrying process, originally pioneered by the first Master Blender, A J Cameron. Only malt and grain whiskies of the highest quality are used to create this rich, fruity and delightfully mellow whisky.  The Marrying Process; The Dewar’s marrying process takes fine Scotch whiskies at their peak of perfection and improves upon them. Having created a blend of the finest Scotch whiskies from the different regions of Scotland, Dewar’s Master Blender then allows them to rest for a further period in exclusively reserved vintage oak casks, ensuring that their individual flavours and aromas harmonise to achieve the perfectly balanced and exceptionally smooth Scotch that is Dewar’s 12. Marrying these superb whiskies adds a smoothness that science cannot explain, but which your taste will at once discern. Limited Edition. Each and every bottle is numbered and stands as a mark of exclusivity, with Dewar’s guarantee of quality.

The nose very much presents as a blended Scotch whisky at first however a short time later some good toffee notes arrive nicely backed by the grain notes. All very pleasant. Some good oak spice is also in the mix  along with some heather. Again, the oak spice really adds some back bone to the whole collection of aromas. The taste is very much like the nose with some very good grains followed by the oak spice and then a wonderful dry maltiness that really makes it. Intertwined with these characteristics are some good toffee. The finish is much like the taste with the dry maltiness, now some really good Fry’s unsweetened cocoa and more of the malt tussling with the oak spice. A surprisingly long finish that does not fall apart over time and the dry malt arrives at the very tail end.

Well, well, another surprise. One is forced to conclude that it would be a real belter unchillfiltered and at 46%. But they are correct, it’s very well balanced.

Score 86 points

$22 in some USA markets and $45 in Canada

Ballantines Special Reserve 12yo (43%, OB, +/-2010)

Another blended Scotch whisky from the justifiably famous House of  Ballantine’s (did you know that as well as having a NAS, 12yo, 17yo, 21yo, Special Reserve and 30yo blends they also have a 12yo blended (vatted) malt?). But no mention of their 12yo Special Reserve, just the 12yo blend. What’s the difference? Quite frankly we don’t know; however it says 12yo Special Reserve so we’ll confine our selves to what’s on hand. And it comes in a blue box which says it contains over 40 different malts.

On the nose it’s slightly smokey with some ‘green’ notes that quickly vanish along with some good influence from the casks (slight hints of leather and tobacco) and also some little hints of orange. But all very gentle; this is not a giant whisky but still very pleasant. A little hand warming brings out some honey, a little more of the smoke and some hints of grain whisky (as opposed to malt). All in all it’s a very pleasing collection of aromas. The taste very much shows the peat smoke but in a very subtle manner and then the cask(s) influence shows with some really good cocoa (Fry’s) and then followed by the honey notes. Some dryness binds it altogether quite nicely. Hints of cold unsweetened black tea (without milk) and all very nice together. The finish is pretty much a mirror image of the nose and the taste and it’s consistent and towards the very end some good malt and further dry sweet notes arrive and more malt. Quite a long finish (a little tobacco too).

What a surprise…

$65

Score 86 points

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/