Cutty Sark's Prohibition Edition blended Scotch whisky is a higher strength expression, sitting at 50% ABV (their classic expression is bottled at 40% ABV). Created as a tip of the hat to famous Prohibition era rum-runner Captain William McCoy...
There's custard notes familiar from the 40% ABV expression, though now paired with more citrus, pear and fudge cubes you get in sea-side sweet shops.
Toffee chunks with a little bit of dark chocolate hidden inside. A touch of grassy malt and crushed nuts.
A final hint of caramel and golden malt.
Let's see...since my last report I have consumed close to a dozen bottles of Cutty Sark's "Prohibition" blend. All I can say is the more I drink this, the more I like it. Crucial is the amount of water you mix and mix you must for maximum enjoyment. Once arrived at your water to whiskey comfort zone, the sensations derived from this blend are nothing short of opioid. Explore the pallet the Gods gave you.....trust me, you will love this!
I like this scotch mixed. A very nice Scotch/ Soda/Twist whisky as the 50% abv holds up to the ice and soda much better than any 40% I've tried. My usual neat drink is either Pinch 15 or Chivas 18. I wouldn't drink them mixed so I'm glad I found this at a store by accident while going to pick up a low dollar scotch for mixed drinks.
I am not rating it, because clearly it's very well made (and only cost me $16.49 on clearance). I am just surprised that I am not detecting any malt - neither neat nor with water. Definitely get the toffee and saltiness. Granted, I am a newbie of a few years, but I have over a dozen single malts, a few bourbons and ryes and have tried Irish and Canadian blends. This tastes to me like an Irish grain whiskey, nothing wrong with that, just describing. If told this was Scotch in a blind tasting I might have my doubts. I'll have to approach it as I would a bourbon - to avoid the "where's me malt" disappointment. To me even bottom shelf blends are more malty (Ballentine's Finest, McIvor, Grand Macnish, Highland Mist). I prefer single malts to all other spirits, but am no malt snob - I can enjoy bourbons, ryes, cognac/armagnac and lately getting into blends. I approach blended Scotch as a spirit distinct from single malts - not comparing to single malts, but still expecting a certain maltiness. Fully open minded to changing that perception, though :) I'd love to try a genuine single grain Scotch.
The best breakfast Scotch ;)
Subtle vanilla and toffee fragrance greet you at the rim with lovely rich flavours soon to follow that never cease to delight. Plenty of heat that may overwhelm. More delicate pallets may wish to temper with some cool water.
