Chivas Regal Extra

Appearance: This blended scotch had a deep amber color, matching the russet muscat on the whiskey color chart. Thin, semi-viscous legs trailed down the inside of my glass. Nose: The aroma was predominantly fruity and floral with a sweet, syrupy quality. Notes of plums, cherries, soft ripe pear, banana, and a hint of light peat smoke and brine were present. Adding water diluted it too much and didn't enhance the experience. Taste: The whisky had an oily and pleasant mouthfeel. The palate consisted of pears, red fruits, almonds, honey, aromatic pipe tobacco, and buttered toast. Similar to the nose, adding water made the scotch too light and watered down. Finish: The finish was of medium duration, leaving a pleasant sweet honeyed flavor. Thoughts: I truly enjoyed this scotch! While I appreciate the entry-level Chivas, this next step up is worth the extra cost if you can afford it. It's bolder, offering more complexity and flavor. I'd recommend this scotch to anyone and would happily have it again. Many thanks to Chivas Regal! Cheers!

I acquired this bottle to conduct a three-way comparison with two other bottles from the Chivas Regal range of blended scotch. This is a no-age-statement blend that received a finishing period in ex-sherry casks for an undisclosed duration. It presents a pleasing, deep copper hue and is bottled at the standard 80 proof. If you've read my reviews for Chivas 12 & 18 year old scotches, I can summarize this one concisely: Combine the sherry sweetness of the 18 year old with the harshness of the younger 12 year old, and you have Chivas Extra. It's an economical option for enjoying sherry cask finished scotch, but I cannot endorse it. I would actually prefer the standard 12 year old simply because it offers a slightly more engaging experience when consumed. This bottle costs $40, which accurately reflects what you receive—a cheap, blended, and unremarkable scotch. Finishing this bottle will take me some time, as nearly every other bottle in my collection surpasses it, making it unlikely I'll reach for it. Perhaps I will experiment with blending it myself with some other 2-3 star single malts to see what results I can achieve. Best wishes, my companions.

Nose: sweet, panettone, red fruits, candied fruits, cinnamon, a bit citrusy, peppery, caramel, alcohol. Palate: peppery, sweet, dried fruits, candied fruits, spices, ginger, and a bit of alcohol warmth. A slight bitterness is also noticeable. Finish: short, smooth, light, with a bit of ginger pepperiness emerging. Overall impressions: Good value for money. For someone wanting to taste a smooth whisky that works for cocktails, with ice, or even neat, this might be the one. I recommend letting it sit in the glass for a few minutes before tasting, as the alcohol vapors diminish and the aromas develop more interestingly.

A well-rounded blended Scotch whisky from Strathisla Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, with a minimum age of 12 years. It's made with some of Chivas' most exclusive whiskies and malts, then matured in Oloroso Sherry Casks. It begins delicately with notes of ripe melon, berries, smooth toffee, and ginger. Its complex character develops with notes of toffee nougat, fresh cream, fig, and a hint of dark chocolate, leading to a rich and balanced conclusion. February / March 2019 / August 2022

The aroma features honey, beeswax, floral notes, and dried fruit. The palate delivers the sweet dried fruits anticipated from the nose, nicely balanced by a touch of smoke. Some spices emerge as the primary flavors begin to fade, leading to a medium-length finish. It's not overly complex, but it's also not unpleasant. This whisky has a nice equilibrium. I'm uncertain if it warrants the higher price over Chivas 12, but I would definitely accept a glass.

Not much truly stands out about this. The color is light and plain. The legs run very thin but linger for a while before descending the glass. Aroma - inviting initially but seems to have a slight burn at the end. Lacks any distinct character. Taste - begins with a mild sweet spice, but finishes rather bland with an oaky flavor that concludes somewhat abruptly. A bit of a burn at the end.