Chivas Regal 13 Year Manchester United Special Edition

One of my most admired football clubs in the world is Manchester United. A player from Ecuador even served as the team's captain for an extended period. I particularly cherished the era under that manager, who secured 13 league titles as a coach. In honor of those premier league championships, Chivas Regal has created this 13-year-old whisky. However, this whisky, finished in American rye casks, seems more reflective of the team's current state. It's good, but far from exceptional. Bottled at 40% alcohol by volume, it has a burnished gold color. On the nose, it's very pleasant, but unlike the typical Chivas. Notes of coffee, chocolate, mocha, cream, butter, vanilla, and coffee-flavored milk. Hints of amaretto and oranges. Red fruits and cotton candy; predominantly creamy. It's like Starbucks made whisky. On the palate, it's unremarkable. Not very complex. Dry rye, red fruits, and cherry syrup. Not much else. The aftertaste is a bit peculiar. It starts with red fruits, then shifts to ginger, specifically the type used with sushi, that slightly soapy kind. Dry rye. After a few sips, you'll detect a very faint cocoa bitterness. Overall, this barely earns a 4-star rating. It's a decent drink, but the palate is somewhat limited in its profile and doesn't quite feel like a typical Chivas Regal, which is known for being fruity and spicy. The rye influence is present but not substantial enough to warrant its inclusion in the whisky's name. My rating for it is 80 out of 100.

Nose: Fresh apple, banana, vanilla, butterscotch, and cinnamon. A hint of oak and pepper as you explore further. Taste: Very easygoing and pleasant. Honey, vanilla, and cream, with vibrant green apple. The rye finish introduces some drama at the end with notes of char and pepper. Overall: Good. It won't revolutionize your palate, but it's a nice background whiskey with some unique twists due to the rye. Honestly, it serves as a good transition from Scotch to Bourbon or vice versa if you're looking to explore the other side of the whiskey selection.

I find this more engaging than the standard Chivas 12. The nose is much like the moment you first open a box of chocolates: chocolate, sweetness, a hint of vanilla, a touch of nougat, caramel, and the faintest trace of mint. On the palate, it's thin yet velvety. Flavors of milk chocolate, honey, vanilla, and a little ripe red fruit all blend with a touch of sweetness. Towards the end, oak spice becomes apparent, accompanied by that hint of licorice and mint commonly found in rye whiskey—subtle, not overpowering here. This is a very satisfying dram.

Ouch. I was genuinely anticipating this one. Felt regret for overlooking it so many times. Then, months after it vanished from shelves, a single bottle appeared at my preferred liquor store. Fortune favors me! A beautiful presentation box and an interesting concept. Opening it, the seal tore off the entire neck label, revealing a very cheap screw cap. Uh oh! The aroma was pleasant. The flavor had a very sharp acetone (nail polish remover) bite. Undrinkable. Fortune is mocking me!

The aroma is very tame. A little honey, a little bread, a little peat smoke. Not much else. White tea with honey and a cracked pepper finish. A bit of smoke, but far from a peat bomb. Slightly sweet and smooth. A little tannin pucker to it. As it warms, a buttered toast flavor appears, then transforms further to orange zest and light milk chocolate. A very well-behaved whiskey. Close to boring, but it rewards some patience. Best enjoyed neat and sipped slowly.

Aroma: honey, light caramel, a slight hint of crisp fruits – possibly apple or pear, cinnamon or baking spices, a touch of rye, cereal notes, a hint of vanilla, and a buttery note. Taste: balanced and not overly complex, easy to drink, buttery, cereal, honey, a white peppery note, with darker fruits and slight bitter cocoa notes lingering on the finish. Quite decent, especially considering the price. Enjoyable if you're not seeking something extraordinary.