A very popular blend, particularly on the American market, started by Berry Bros & Rudd and named for the tea clipper Cutty Sark, said to be the fastest of its time.
Light, gentle. Cut herbs, floral, custard, hay.
Rounded, mixed peels, lots of barley.
Good length, warming, malt.
Tomorrow fresh feeling
I'm not much for really strong whiskeys. I tried a heavily peated one that felt like I was drinking pure smoke... what's the point of that? I found myself being embarrassed that I didn't like the "knock you on your arse" strongly flavored, expensive smoky scotches. I'm not a fan of licorice either so forget the cheaper Bushmills. I did find I enjoyed lighter blends like Dewars and Famous Grouse. But now I've tried Cutty Sark and it tastes better to me than the Dewars or FG and still priced reasonably. I tend to drink with a bit of water or on the rocks, never mixed or in a cocktail. So, sorry if you think it's junk or awful. I'm sure your palette is much more refined than mine. But taste is individual and this one is civilized and doesn't break the bank. The nice thing is, if my tastes ever grow up those snooty smokers will still be there. I pick up a bottle of this when I go get my Boodles for martinis and it doesn't add a lot to the bill. Cheers!
Even as a single malt enthusiast, I have to admit that I actually like Cutty Sark. I find it far more palatable than Famous Grouse, and it ties with Johnnie Walker Red (yes, really) as one of my favorite cheap blends. Cutty was the first Scotch I ever had (at age 13, hehe) so it has lots of nostalgia for me too. However, this blend really shines as a base for home blends. I use this as my grain whisky base (since it's almost entirely grain whisky) and add my favorite malts in varying proportions to create more affordable yet delicious blends. Cutty goes particularly well with a good dollop of Laphroaig 10 in it. Try this for yourself and you might be surprised.
Stuff is the worst. I can't think of a single whiskey anything that's as bad.
It was my first Scotch, Cutty and water was something I would drink when I did not want to get drunk and would just sip it. Since then I have moved on to better things, but I would drink it if someone offered it. I say it's a good starter scotch because it is pretty simple and "drinkable" for the "average Jane or Joe" especially on the rocks or with water. This is the reason a lot of American bars carry it America is really not known as a country full of Scotch connoisseurs (at least not where I'm from)
