4 Expressions from The Glenlivet and Chivas Regal You Simply Must Try
Without question, two of the biggest names in the Scotch whisky world are ‘The Glenlivet’ and ‘Chivas Regal’. Needless to say, you’ll get no prizes for guessing which two whisky brands I’m going to be looking at today.
Both Glenlivet and Chivas Regal are hugely popular amongst Scotch whisky drinkers, and while they do share some similarities, they are, for the most part at least, decidedly different to one another. Personally, that’s why I like them.
Glenlivet for example, embodies everything there is to love about a Speyside single malt. The Moray-located distillery is now more than two centuries old, having been founded back in 1824, and what’s even more remarkable is that the distillery has been operational almost continuously ever since.
Then of course there’s Strathisla Distillery, the spiritual and physical home of Chivas Regal. The oldest working distillery in all of the Scottish Highlands, having been founded in 1786, the distillery is responsible for Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky, which many consider to be the ultimate in blended whisky.
Today, I’m going to be looking at four very special drams – two from The Glenlivet and two from Chivas Regal. So, whether you’re a single-malt drinker or a blended Scotch connoisseur, there should be something for you in this week’s blog.
Up first, we have a dram that embodies everything there is to know and love about Speyside whisky. If you enjoy a Speyside, you’ll almost certainly love this 12-year-old multi-award-winning single-malt from The Glenlivet.
Matured in not only American oak, but also European oak casks, it’s not what you might expect from The Glenlivet, yet somehow it manages to maintain that signature style we associate with the brand. The whisky spent most of its 12 years in European oak, before a finishing period in American oak. This has helped massively in creating a sweet, fruity, ridiculously smooth golden straw-coloured dram that pairs ridiculously well with seared scallops.
On the nose it’s heavy on the orchard fruits right off the bat. There’s also plenty of oaky vanilla notes there with a pinch of tropical fruit aromas. Another sniff, and I was definitely picking up freshly toasted fruity teacakes with plenty of salted butter.
On the palate, more vanilla and creamy buttery flavours shine through, complimented perfectly by ripe summer berries, caramelised pineapple, and lightly toasted oak.
The finish is oh-so smooth and at 40% ABV, it’s not harsh at all. It’s fruity, it’s creamy, there’s oak, apple pie and custard, and maybe a touch of honey. Great mouthfeel to this drop. It’s a real easy drinker.
This single-malt expression from The Glenlivet is almost two decades old, and it’s a real fan favourite as a result.
Rich, balanced yet complex, refined, and packed full of flavour, I can see why this is one of The Glenlivet’s most popular releases. I can also see why it’s won 11 Spirit Awards, including double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Matured in a combination of both first and second-fill American oak casks, along with sherry barrels, it’s the brainchild of Master Distiller Alan Winchester and is one of the brand’s most popular and decadent drams.
Bottled at 40% ABV, and with a deep copper amber hue to it, one look at the packaging, the bottle, and the whisky inside lets you know you’re in the presence of a special whisky.
On the nose, that sherry influence really shines through. There’s plenty of raisin and plum here, plump rum-soaked sultanas, and toasted oats. These dissipate and give way to creamy vanilla fudge, salted caramel, and a suggestion of toasted oak.
On the palate, those oak notes really make themselves known. These are tied together wonderfully with strong flavours of honey, caramel hazelnut chocolates, mandarin orange peel, lime zest, and a touch of anise.
The finish is dry and lengthy. There’s toasted spices, more smoked oak, and fruity plums, dates, and sultanas. A hint of tropical fruit? Perhaps.
For those who are partial to a blended Scotch whisky, this 15-year-old drop from Chivas Regal is truly decadent. It is aged in casks which once held Grande Champagne Cognac! Cognac shares many similarities with whisky, so it only makes sense for more and more distilleries to make use of Cognac casks in their finishing processes.
Chivas Regal XV was unveiled back in 2018 and has picked up 2 Spirit Awards. A combination of grain and single malt whiskies, it’s complex, crisp, vibrant, and fruity. At 43% ABV, and in a dark amber colour, it’s one of the most well-rounded whiskies I’ve tried in recent memory.
On the nose, there’s plenty of candied orange peel, citrus, and barley sugar to begin with. The sharp fruity notes quickly mellow and creamy porridge oats make their presence felt. There’s also a light floral undertone.
On the palate, tinned apricots, dried fruits, spice, clotted cream fudge, and poached pears all shine through here. Lingering in the background, there’s black peppercorn, creamy caramel, and roasted malt.
The finish is medium and heavy on the winter baking spices. Finally, the oak enters the scene, and not before time. Vanilla and crisp orchard fruits help to tie everything together beautifully here.
Chivas Regal 18 is another incredibly rich and indulgent blended Scotch whisky, which was created by Master Blender Colin Scott, using a combination of more than 20 different whiskies. It has picked up 13 Spirit Awards as a result, and rightly so.
At 40% ABV, this light hazelnut coloured whisky is as smooth as you’d expect from a blended Scotch of this nature.
On the nose, you get strong baking spices from the get-go, along with creamy vanilla custard, apricot jam, toffee fudge, and malt. Not much oak, though those with the keenest of noses should pick up a whiff.
On the palate, more of those spicy notes shine through, along with burnt orange, creamy malt and barley sugar, honeycomb, ripe apricots, and lightly toasted oak. The flavours here are rich and complex, and I’m all for that!
The finish is medium and warming and evocative of a fine rye with its spicy notes. There’s also more oak, nutmeg and cinnamon, and Seville marmalade on toasted teacakes. Yum! Very easy to see why this dram scooped so many awards over the years.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.
With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, along with heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for all you whisky lovers out there.
Greg
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