Buchanan's Red Seal

This is the greatest whisky I've ever had, and the best so far. I'm not exaggerating; I've found a perfect score. It surpasses even Chivas Royal Salute 21 and Johnnie Walker XR. This is my top blended Scotch whisky of 2016. I had never tried it before, and today, a friend offered me three glasses. It's a perfect 10 – perfectly balanced, a long finish, full-bodied, and very complex. Let me tell you something. If I had to choose between Chivas, Old Parr, Johnnie Walker, or Buchanan's (the top four brands sold in Ecuador, where I live), I would always select Buchanan's in any of its forms. The nose has a beautiful peaty note that no other Buchanan's possesses. It's perfumed, like most 21-year-old whiskies (it could be older or younger since there's no age statement), and you can also detect hazelnut and coffee notes. But the peat dominates everything. YES, A BUCHANAN'S WITH PEAT! The palate is where the true magic unfolds. It's full-bodied. As it enters your mouth, you instantly perceive very, very old oak, caramel, almonds, plenty of toffee, and then it shifts to spicy red chili with a gentle warmth. The finish is beautiful and long-lasting: it reaches your stomach and returns as a warm/spicy woody sensation that makes you sigh with satisfaction (like in the Coca-Cola advertisements). I genuinely believe this is the best whisky I've encountered to date, and I'm awarding it the title of 2016 whisky of the year for myself. A LOVELY DRAM. It costs $150 in a duty-free shop, so you are now obligated to get your hands on it. WONDERFUL.

I generally don't care for Scotch, which sets the context for my reviews of it. This one has a very slightly smoky nose, but it doesn't overpower the light butterscotch notes. The initial sip emphasizes the smoke, but it quickly softens, and subsequent tastes are less smoky. Hints of butter toffee and smoked nuts come to mind, while a gentle warmth spreads through me. The finish is long but subtle, with more honey almond notes. This is a wonderfully smooth Scotch, and as I mentioned, I'm usually not a Scotch drinker, but I think I'll make exceptions for truly excellent Scotch.

The packaging and presentation are excellent, featuring a mould-lined box and a beautifully embossed bottle. Auburn in color, and mellow on the nose with hints of butterscotch, figs, and just a wisp of smoke which all transfer nicely to the palate. A collection of Highland, Islay, and grain whiskies comprise the majority of the blend making for an especially smooth malt, albeit a slight lack of character. Still, very good and right on par with JW Platinum and Blue in the world of premium blends.

5 stars - Superb It's worth it. Everything is perfectly balanced. Johnnie Walker Blue wishes it were this whisky. This is one of the few purchases over $60 that has genuinely made me happy. Johnnie Walker Green and Nikka Whiskey From the Barrel are the other blends that achieve this level of quality.

Remarkably well-rounded. Primarily showcases sweet Highland whiskies, but the Islay smoke is noticeable and a truly welcome addition. Not discussing the cost, but this is a fantastically crafted whisky. A whisper of salt and brine. Incredibly smooth.

This app's early reviews and flavor profile are misleading. Peated nose and more-than-average smoke dominate this pour, which isn't my preference. The dark fruits are present but hard to appreciate through the smoke.