Cutty Sark

Nose: Honey, grain prominent, citrus, a hint of saltiness, oil, and general notes of herbs and flowers. Taste: Sweet honey alongside tart lemon zest, brine, a bit of pepper, oily, mild fruit (perhaps pear?), general herbal notes. Concluding thoughts: To be honest, this scotch is straightforward on both the nose and palate. It lacks complexity, excitement, or surprises. It's consistently one-dimensional, with no highs or lows, just a flat experience. It's akin to the everyday cigar of scotches. Enjoyable but unremarkable, and it won't break the bank. However, there are still many positive aspects to this whisky. It's easily my top scotch choice for under $20. I can use it in mixed drinks without regretting using an expensive bottle, and I can also savor it neat without needing to overthink it. It's exceptionally easy to drink with no harshness. It doesn't possess the overwhelming grain-forward character that makes some other inexpensive blended scotches unappealing to me personally. Furthermore, it contains specific flavors I truly appreciate, though they are quite subtle. These include the combination of sweet honey, lemon peel, and brine. Considering all this, a rating of 3.25 out of 5 feels appropriate; anything higher would be a stretch, but anything lower would seem unfair given what this budget blend offers. If I had a friend who wanted to explore scotch but primarily had experience with spirits like Jack Daniels and Jameson, and I didn't want to offer them a $50 bottle they might not appreciate, I would offer them this one. Old Fashioned Recipe: Serve on a large ice cube. Add a barspoon (or two) of simple syrup, 2-3 dashes of mint bitters plus a dash of Angostura (or homemade clove bitters), 1.5-2oz of this scotch. Stir. Garnish with an orange peel twist (lemon peel also works).

So I'm browsing the store in Selma, TX late on a Friday afternoon because I35 is so jammed up, I might as well pull off and look at fine spirits. Lately, they've had some sale tags, and I'm a value shopper, so hell yeah. Spotted this well-known budget brand that I've never had on sale for $11.99, so I thought 'what the f***' and grabbed it. The tasting notes listed here by a previous reviewer are actually pretty accurate with the lemon/honey/fruit vibe and some light malt and char. There's a decent amount of flavor, and it's nowhere near the total swill I thought it would be. The dreaded grain alcohol takes over the finish as expected with a low-end blend, but I'm drinking it neat. That's not the purpose of this; it was designed to be mixed, and if that's your preference, go for it. It's better than mixing with vodka, in my opinion, as this has some taste and is aged somewhat, at least. For $12-$15, it's a go, but if it reaches around $20, there are better options. I'm glad I tried it, but will never buy again... 70/100... respectable enough blend that you don't have to spit out neat.

My opinion on Cutty has completely reversed. You see, when you're stubborn and only consider mixers like Ginger Ale and Cola, you limit your own palate. When I started realizing soda with lime, and Tonic, it truly opened up my sense of taste. Cutty Sark pairs well with Soda, especially with Lime, but is best with Tonic. That 'lemon toddy' flavor mentioned by a previous reviewer marries well with a good quality Indian Tonic, like Fever Tree. Schweppes works well with it, too. I found myself refreshed by the combination and wondering how I could have been so mistaken, when I wrote my earlier review? My only concern now is whether or not the producer changed its flavor profile; like I said, a complete reversal!

Simple and soft; it's not a bad dram at all. Just simple. Bottled at 40% alcohol by volume, with a pale straw color. On the scent is very faint, with notes of pungent peat, tobacco, pepper, salt, sea aroma, vanilla, and Lindt chocolate. On the taste is normal but fine, with caramel, licorice, pepper, tobacco, and the finish is sweet & salty, with a mild heat, and Lindt chocolate. Overall, this one scores a 75 out of 100.

This is a staple due to its adaptability and value for money - costing approximately $8 per bottle here in Japan. It makes a superb Highball when mixed with sparkling water and lemon. When consumed neat, there's a pleasant cereal note, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of smoke. A friend of mine from the US absolutely loves his Cutty & soda, and it's understandable why. It consistently satisfies.

Nose: Smells exactly like tequila. What the heck. It says honey, citrus, and char... yeah... tequila... straight-up college-vomit tequila. Palate: Tastes pleasantly more like whiskey than I anticipated. Harshly scotch-flavored. I thought I enjoyed scotch once... which was before I tried bourbon. Finish: Smoky, peaty... disgusting. Just disgusting.