Chivas Ultis Manchester United Victory Edition 1999

In 1999, a globally renowned football club, Manchester United, achieved a historic "treble," securing the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the European Cup (now known as the Champions League), the latter in a nail-biting match that's etched in football history. As Chivas Regal is an official sponsor of Manchester United, they launched this Ultis "Victory Edition" in 2019, a 20-year-old blended malt to commemorate the famous treble. The stunning bottle and its accompanying box are integral to the overall experience. This blended malt is composed of 3 distinct malts (representing each trophy): Strathisla matured in traditional oak casks; Longmorn matured in ex-Bourbon Barrels; and Braeval (also known as Braes of Glenlivet) matured in Sherry butts. Bottled at 40% ABV, it boasts a beautiful red hue reminiscent of Manchester United. Its aroma is close to perfection. Cherry syrup and pepper spice are the initial notes, followed by thick maple syrup and honeycomb. Exquisite spices and red fruit syrup dominate. Fried pineapple; it's a dessert. Wine-like, honeyed, thick. A delightful coconut note emerges. It perfectly captures the aroma of flaming crème brûlée. On the palate, it's very good. Red apples with spices. Red fruits, strawberries. Hay and clove; the spices are the primary flavor. The aftertaste isn't the highlight, but it's certainly not bad. Tobacco, cherries. Very grassy and dry. Hay. It possesses a nice strength, even at 40% ABV. Overall, I found this whisky to be very sophisticated and enjoyable. It lacks traditional flavors, which is a commendable choice for a $220 whisky, delivering a satisfying experience. A lovely dram; it felt better than my score indicates. I give it 88 out of 100.