Chivas Regal 12 Year Old

Jan 23

Johnnie Walker gets all the love in the blended Scotch realm, but Chivas actually beats them out by 19 years! Well, kind of…Chivas Bros. didn’t make whisky until around half a century after they were formed, focusing on teas and spices instead. Chivas Regal 12 was introduced after American Prohibition ended, when American distilleries were largely bereft of whiskey stocks (notice the different spellings) - the market was wide open, and blended Scotches like Chivas and Johnnie Walker, among others, took full advantage.

Chivas Regal is often overlooked in the blended Scotch field; I think it deserves a bit more attention. Each of the entry-level blends - Chivas Regal 12, Johnnie Walker Red (or Black) - brings its own flavor profile and should be recognized as such. Chivas has a bright, melon-y fruitiness that is distinct and can stand well on its own or in a cocktail.

Chivas Regal 12 Year Old: Specs

Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky

Origin: Chivas Bros.

Mashbill: Mixed Malt and Grain Whiskies

Proof: 80 (40% ABV)

Age: 12 Years Old

Location: Scotland

Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Price: $25 (MSRP)

Official Website

Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Pale gold. Medium rims with thick, runny legs.

Nose: Ripe melon, green sweetness. Grain notes emerge on a second sniff.

Palate: The melon note continues from the nose and is joined by a slight spiciness. Underlying malt sweetness is more present here whereas the grain dominates on the nose. Mouthfeel is incredibly smooth, even with the touch of spice - coating, medium-to-full-bodied as well.

Finish: A touch of woodsmoke and astringency accompany some sweetness in the corners of my mouth.

Overall: This is a great starter blend that deserves to get some more attention on its own merits. There’s more complexity than expected (not a ton, but it’s not a pure and simple whisky either), and is smooth from nose to finish.

Final Rating: 6.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)