Dewar’s 12-Year-Old
Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$30
Website
We would like to thank Dewar’s and Nike Communications for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the world’s most awarded blended Scotch whisky, has unveiled the new DEWAR’S 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky. With a new look and feel, DEWAR’S 12-year-old has been taken to the next level with a whisky that balances complexity, flavor and smoothness.
Double-aging the whisky in hand-selected, first-fill American Oak Bourbon casks for the first time has created a distinctly different experience for drinkers, with a greater breadth and depth of flavor, and a radically richer mouthfeel. The new whisky builds upon the renowned DEWAR’S house style of floral, honeyed Highland whisky, with a hint of smoke.
Showcasing up to 40 of Scotland’s finest single malt and grain whiskies, the new liquid was created by DEWAR’S Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod, who was recently awarded Master Blender of the Year for the fourth time by the International Whisky Competition. Stephanie Macleod comments: “Curiosity has been at the cornerstone of the DEWAR’s brand since John Dewar created the first whisky in 1846. And that sense of curiosity has carried through to how my teams and I develop our whiskies today. It was only natural to experiment and craft a new element to the maturation process, which has resulted in a distinctly different tasting experience.”
“Having been experimenting with the influence of cask types on flavor and texture for the last ten years, we knew the time was right to bring some of what we have learnt to our core range of whiskies. We wanted to take DEWAR’S 12-Year-Old to the next level and bring the joys of quality Scotch whisky to a new generation of drinkers. DEWAR’S whiskies have a characteristic floral and honeyed-style and we knew we could add a richer and more complex dimension through the use of first-fill American Oak Bourbon casks.”
Macleod has created a more complex whisky: an aroma of apple, ripe peaches and hints of lemon zest; followed by floral, spice and rich fruit notes; with a robust finish of vanilla, butterscotch and a wisp of a smoke. Complementing the flavor notes is the richer, smoother and more balanced mouthfeel, creating an experience that will delight new and existing whisky drinkers alike.
Brian Cox, Vice President, DEWAR’S Scotch Whisky, North America commented: “The beauty of our Scotch whisky is the ability to bring the breadth of flavor – as well as the depth of flavor – from the variety of single malts and grains that we use to make it. This new expression of DEWAR’S 12-Year-Old is the epitome of what a high quality, pleasurable and indulgent Scotch whisky can be. Reimagining and relaunching this whisky has always been about one thing: delighting whisk(e)y drinkers. Whether you are a connoisseur looking to discover something new or are just seeking to share and enjoy with friends and family, we are certain that everyone will find something to savor and relish.”
All DEWAR’S whiskies share one thing in common – they are double aged for extra smoothness, a maturation process specific to DEWAR’s that was perfected by the first Master Blender, AJ Cameron. 2022 marks the 125th anniversary since AJ Cameron became the first Master Blender in 1897.
The new DEWAR’S 12-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky is presented in a new, premium clear glass bottle with a modified base, label and enclosure.
What Gary Says
Nose: Honey, dried fruit notes of mango, pineapple and peaches; hint of orange and baked apple, vanilla, nutmeg and a bit of butterscotch with a faint note of smoke.
Palate: Round and slightly oily mouthfeel, fruity with pears, peaches and apples, bit of nutmeg and pepper.
Finish: Moderately long and thick, with applesauce, sherried dark fruit and honey.
Comments: I can’t recall the last time I tried Dewar’s 12 Year Old, so I can’t compare this new release to that. But I know I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I do this or I’d have had a bottle around the house! This has a lot going on, and is very well balanced with a lovely mouthfeel – things I don’t often get with a 40% ABV pour. I can’t think of another Scotch (blended or otherwise) at this price point that I enjoy as much. Kudos to the blender and team on a really nice whisky!
Dewars 12 year old scotch has been among my favorite scotch brands but I believe the new version of Dewars 12 is substandard. It lacks character, tastes thin, sweet, and cheap compared to the previous Dewar’s 12. The new version of Dewar’s 12 is designed for young people who haven’t acquired a taste for scotch or is an attempt to sell scotch to bourbon drinkers, who prefer sweeter whiskey. I bought one bottle of the new Dewar’s 12 and it’s likely to be the last one.
Sorry to hear you don’t care for the new version. Palates differ, and not having a great frame of reference for the previous version – I can’t compare the two. But at least for me, this didn’t lack character. With the use of more first-fill bourbon casks, it probably is sweeter – which sounds like isn’t your thing. Although now I want to find an older bottling to compare the two (which if you like the older version, I’d encourage you to visit some stores that maybe don’t get as much traffic/turn-over, as you may still find the older ones on the shelves).
I love this scotch. I am a bourbon drinker also, so maybe that had something to do with it. I don’t like a strong peak flavor so this is great too me. For the price, it can’t be beat.