Chivas Regal is a world-famous Scotch blend which was first made in the early 20th century by Chivas Brothers. The company can trace its roots back to 1801, with the opening of a grocers at Number 13 King Street, Aberdeen. Selling luxury food, coffee and spices, it wasn't until half a century later that the company started to make whisky, and then not until post-US Prohibition that Chivas Regal 12 Year Old was first officially released. F. Paul Pacult described Chivas Regal 12 as "the blend for grown-ups", awarding it an impressive 9 out of 10. It's a very apt statement - this is a very refined blended whisky, with herbs, honey and fruit leaping forth on the palate. Regularly lauded by the critics, this is a superb blend in its price category, representing great value for money.
A creamy, aromatic melange of vanilla custard, hints of aniseed, lemon curd and butter toffee. Wood shavings and dried banana chips develop with just a hint of cassis.
More of those banana chips showing through on the palate, this time there's a creamy hit of barley malt too, pepped up with a little allspice. Notes of ground walnut and caramel.
Light spice and black pepper on the tail. Lingering notes of cereal sweetness.
A spicy, beautifully balanced blend. Lots going on here.
Good
Like some others here, I too, was reluctant to try this 'cheap' whisky, since it has such commercial appeal and such a low price. I drink what I think to be top shelf single malts, such as; Lagavulin 16, Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, Uigeadail, Laphroaig (all), Highland Park, Old Pulteney . .& many more. Didn't see the need to try this stuff. But I did. Bought a 50ml sampler, brought it home, sat down for a serious try. Color is a nice golden amber (probably E150 color added), still pleasant to the eye; nose is very well described by MofM . . . creamy vanilla, bananas; palate . . .nice and creamy, spicy, a little anise, orange(?); finish is spicy, a little peppery, but nice. Overall . . . very pleasantly surprised. My honest opinion is, it is worth serious consideration by the serious scotch drinker. If you are looking for something in the same price range (blended) that is a tad better, try Monkey Shoulder. But, Chivas Regal is good whisky.
Like some others here, I too, was reluctant to try this 'cheap' whisky, since it has such commercial appeal and such a low price. I drink what I think to be top shelf single malts, such as; Lagavulin 16, Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, Uigeadail, Laphroaig (all), Highland Park, Old Pulteney . .& many more. Didn't see the need to try this stuff. But I did. Bought a 50ml sampler, brought it home, sat down for a serious try. Color is a nice golden amber (probably E150 color added), still pleasant to the eye; nose is very well described by MofM . . . creamy vanilla, bananas; palate . . .nice and creamy, spicy, a little anise, orange(?); finish is spicy, a little peppery, but nice. Overall . . . very pleasantly surprised. My honest opinion is, it is worth serious consideration by the serious scotch drinker. If you are looking for something in the same price range (blended) that is a tad better, try Monkey Shoulder. But, Chivas Regal is good whisky.
Smooth
As promarly a single malt drinker, I have been broadening my exposure to blended scotch (the only blended scotch I've had semi-regularly is JWBL which is reasonably good). Recently I tried out Dewars WL, which I found utterly repugnant, so I had very low expectations for the Chivas Regal 12y. Surprisingly, I found the Chivas 12y to be pretty good. The nose is light, almost difficult to pick out, but the notes of raisin, distant smoke and vanilla. The palate is more robust, though still light, with oaky vanilla, a hint of smoke and some distant dark fruit (a drop of one of Abalour's sherried malts somewhere in the mix?). The finish hangs on longer than I'd have expected, with a hint of tannins, but not unpleasantly so. Make no mistake, this is no Glendronach or Lagavulin, but it's pretty tasty. Notably absent were any offensive grain notes. If you're looking for a good, reasonably priced, but undemanding scotch, this would be a solid option at a good price.
