Notes: This is the latest release from Chivas Brothers and their master blender Colin Scott. First seen in 1997, this is a new upscale package for this 18 year old blend.

This venerable firm dates back to 1801 and is covered in great detail in F. Paul Pacult’s book “A Double Scotch or How Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet Became Global Icons” (a wonderful combination of entertaining and informative reading). This company is currently owned by Pernod Ricard which also owns numerous other whisky distilleries. This is not a single malt, but a blend of various single malt scotch whiskies all at least 18 years old or more. Two of the major single malts are Longmorn and Strathisla (18 year olds) neither of which are comercially available but reviewed elsewhere on this website.

Appearance: Nice straw gold in the bottle, nice edge line on the glass when you swirl it; a smooth layer of whiskey on swirling (absolutely even, no legs to speak of).

First Impression: Toffee, orange, some floral notes. Lots of dark fruit smells at the end as well.

Taste: Medium-weight mouthfeel (for a scotch). Orange honey, dark fruits, toffee and an alkali tang like a good dark chocolate- a lingering, warm finish. Addition of some water (bottled or filtered, no chlorine!) knocks down the alcohol and opens up the bouquet nicely, although at 80 proof already you don’t need much.

Drinks: Snifter or nosing glass only.

Cigars: Yes.

Final Thoughts: Really changed my mind about blends- my former view of blends as godawful bastardizations of good single malts has changed. This is a very pleasant dram. At $60 a bottle it is competitive with Johnny Walker Green Label (Vatted Malt) .

Bottle: Similar to the classic Chivas bottle shape but with a heavier crystal bottom to it to give it more heft and better appearance. There is the added bonus that the center of gravity is lower so it is harder to knock over and spill also. The label has also been redesigned to further the distinctiveness of the label. The neckband is also a dark but bright blue color (handy feature when trying to find it in a forest of bottles)

Web site: http://www.chivas.com

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