Carlyle 12 Year Blended Scotch Whisky

This Carlyle 12yo, a blended Scotch whisky recently seen in some establishments, was something I'd been avoiding until I had a suitable opportunity to sample it neat and evaluate it according to my preferences. I approached it with no expectations, genuinely thinking it might be a waste of time, but my drive to taste as many whiskies as possible compelled me to try it. Bottled at 43% ABV, with caramel coloring added. On the nose, I detected a grain whisky aroma, which, to be fair, wasn't entirely unpleasant. Notes of raisins, fondant, and quince dessert were present. It was sweet, with dried fruits and marmalade, but the issue was the grain whisky's somewhat inferior quality, reminiscent of brands like Grant's Red Label or Black & White. On the palate, it was very easy to drink. I found notes of almonds, a hard vanilla bean, and sweet prune juice. The finish was short but not disagreeable. It offered raisins, a hint of smoke, and the strong vanilla character from the grain whisky. In summary, I don't think this is a bad whisky at all; it's quite enjoyable. It won't revolutionize your drinking experience, nor would I purchase it myself, but if offered a glass, I would happily drink it. My rating is 79 out of 100, with 20 points for the nose, palate, and balance, and 19 points for the finish.

I had high expectations for this one, hoping for a hidden gem. It certainly has the rough qualities. I won't criticize this scotch too much because it is what it is... a blend. This implies some grain influence will be present to a certain extent, which will ultimately decide its quality. It begins nicely and tastes decent (in my opinion, very similar to Famous Grouse - see review for notes), but the issue is the grain appears too often and basically ruins the score. It's not bad, but it's not good either. I paid a low price of $16 but absolutely would not buy it again. I'm being a bit harsh because compared to other bottom-shelf options, this is good, but I was drawn in by the 12-year age statement. Alas, you get what you pay for... 68/100... drinkable, mixable, but not recommended unless you are immune to the grain flavor.

The aroma offers peach jam, caramel, red apple, and a whisper of smoke. The palate is equally split between caramel-covered red apple and chocolate-covered raisins. A smooth and pleasant blended scotch.