Thursday, March 01, 2007

older and bolder

while single malts are unsurpassed in bouquet, taste and finish, there are some blended whiskies that offer a smoother and commingled blend of malts and grains for one's drinking pleasure.
case, or rather bottle, in point is chivas brothers' chivas 18, the 18-year-old blend that made its way to our shores since december 2006 courtesy of pernod-ricard malaysia.
by the way, pernod-ricard acquired chivas brothers and the chivas regal brand in 2001 and it is one of its jewels in the spirits business. which brings us to the chivas 18 which is quite a different creature from the usual chivas 12-year-old. fact is, it is not the chivas 12 plus six more years in the cask.
no, it is older and bolder in bouquet and taste.
which is no surprise as the chivas 18 comprises two rare speyside single malts not publicly available in its 18 year old expressions - strathisla 18 which is rich, fruity and nutty in taste and longmorn 18 with its floral notes that add a certain elegance to the overall blend.
the amber liquid, with 40 percent alcohol by volume, has a fruity and toffee bouquet leading to a sherry and smokey taste with floral tones and a hint of chocolate and toffee.
the finish is soothing with a lingering smokiness.
quite nice!

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