Dewar’s 12 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Dewar’s 12 Special Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$25
Website
dewars-12-year-scotch-whisky
What the Distillery Says:
After we blend our Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky, we return it to the vintage oak casks so it can mature a little more. This extra step is called double barrel aging and it makes Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky an even smoother blend with a long, lingering finish.

Our Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky is Warm, buttery and mellow

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh hay dipped in honey and vanilla. Green as in vegetal not new or young. Lots of toffee and orange zest.
Palate: Sweet and creamy like a custard with more vanilla and light oak.
Finish: Surprisingly dry and woody.
Comments: If the sum total of your 12 year of blended scotch experience is Johnnie Walker Black and Chivas then you need to get out more. Dewar’s makes some lovely drams. Their Special Reserve is a nice well balanced dram that you shouldn’t overlook.
Rating: Stands Out

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Chivas Royal Salute 21 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Chivas Brothers Royal Salute 21 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV/80 Proof
$170 to $220
Website
chivas_bottle
What the Distillery Says:
In 1953, Chivas Brothers paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by creating a limited edition of a very special blended whisky. Only 2,500 cases were produced for worldwide distribution. The first flagons, adorned with the royal crest, were sealed on the day of her coronation. The name chosen was considered a fitting tribute to the new monarch. It was called Royal Salute, after the 21-gun salute – the ultimate mark of respect, reserved for tributes to dignitaries and nations alike. Appropriately, each of the whiskies in the blend was at least 21 years old and thus, Royal Salute 21 Year Old was born.

Appearance: Deep, golden amber colour

Nose: Rich, fruity aromas and the sweet fragrance of autumn flowers

Taste: Full, deep fruity flavours wit a subtle smokiness

Finish: Rich, long and lingering

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sherry sweetness, malted barley, heather, vanilla, and dark chocolate.
Palate: There’s the slightest smokiness that is really very pleasant. It’s a silky smooth dram with a little nuttiness and a surprisingly woody note. It’s not oak per se but woody just the same.
Finish: Oak at first but it smooths out into a nutty smokiness. A nice long finish.
Comments: Yummy. I’m not in the habit of dropping $200 on a bottle of scotch. Even less so for a blend. Fortunately, I picked this up for about half the price duty free in Puerto Rico and I’m glad I did. This is an immensely drinkable dram. Are there things I’d rather spend $200 on? Yes but it’s very tasty just the same.
Rating: Stands Out

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Glen Grant 10 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 10 Years
40% ABV
$30 to $45+
Website
glen_grant_10_year_old
What the Distillery Says:
Our 10 Year Old single malt brings an added intensity to Glen Grant’s familiar orchard fruits. Rich in colour, it lingers in the mouth with a soft, almond finish. 10 Year Old, 40%

Appearance: Rich golden barley
Bouquet: Medium/Dry, with a good balance of ripe orchard fruits
Palate: Creamy, fruity
Finish: Intense, fruity
Whisky style: Gentle, elegant Speyside Single Malt with hints of hazelnut
Cask type: Matures in Bourbon casks

What Richard Says:
Nose: Floral and fruity with hints of treacle.
Palate: Light, clean, and ridiculously drinkable. Creamy notes of vanilla and straw.
Finish: Light and dry.
Comments: Okay, so this isn’t the most flavorful or popular single malt out there but oh my it’s drinkable. This one of those whiskies that if you’re not careful you’ll be halfway done with the bottle before you know it. When this rolled out to the U.S. a while back you could get it for $30 or less. Now it’s in the $40 to $50 range. At $30 it’s an easy Must Buy but at current prices it’s only a stand out for it’s drinkability.
Rating: Stands Out

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Wild Turkey Rye 101

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (Old Version)
50.5%
$25 (discontinued)
Website
What the Distillery Says:
(Product information is no longer available)

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle the nose is pretty quiet. With water it comes across like spearmint and Bazooka Joe bubble gum.
Palate: Pepper and raw vanilla extract poured over wood staves. At the very back is that rye mint note.
Finish: Long slow oak. Th rye mint note clings to the front of the tongue as the wood rolls down the back. Way back in the end of the finish I get a weird fennel see/anise/licorice type note that lingers.
Comments: It’s gone I know. The replacement of this with the 81 proof version makes me very sad indeed. Stop watering down my whiskey damn it! I can do that myself. Anyway, this is really a Whisk(e)y Apostle swan song to a former front bar rye now gone. The only $15 to $25 all around rye for drinking, mixing, and cocktails that I like more than this is Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond. Now I don’t have the choice anymore.
Rating: Stands Out
(Officially, Wild Turkey says that 81 is not a replacement but they don’t even list 101 as one of their product on their website anymore)

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Wild Turkey 101

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
50.5% ABV
$20-$25
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Wild Turkey 101 is a 101 proof (50.5% alcohol) bourbon that is a marriage of primarily 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old bourbons. Jimmy Russell notes that unlike some of its competitors, “Wild Turkey 101 has an exceptionally gentle and rich aroma for a high-proof bourbon, thanks to quality at all stages of its production.”

At first taste, 101 is rich with vanilla and caramel, with notes of honey, brown sugar, and a hint of tobacco. Its high proof contributes to its bolder flavor.
Wild Turkey 101 is the benchmark in bourbon, best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It’s also excellent in more sophisticated cocktails.

What Richard Says:
Nose: From the bottle to the glass this is surprisingly coy. Leave it in the glass a few minutes and sweet caramel, vanilla extract, and honeysuckles begin to come out. Water makes it more orange-like and overpowers the other elements.
Palate: Nothing coy here. Straight forward bourbon goodness. Vanilla, oak, and pepper dominate. Water makes this on a little sweeter but doesn’t really change the profile.
Finish: Heavy on the wood and an interesting blend of pepper spices.
Comments: Wild Turkey 101 is one of those everyday standard bearer bourbons. Some surprise you (Buffalo Trace), some disappoint you (Jim Beam White Label), and some give you exactly what you’re expecting. Wild Turkey 101 falls into the last category. It’s not the hottest girl at the party but you don’t ever regret taking her home.
Rating: Average

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