Dewar's White Label

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY SHOWDOWN Dewar’s White Label Pig’s Nose Johnnie Walker Green Label Continuing to go through whiskies in my collection that I’ve yet to review. While this trio may seem unusual—the Dewar’s and Pig’s Nose are bottom-shelf, while the Johnnie Walker 15 is top-shelf—they are the only blended scotch whiskies that I own. Furthermore, the Dewar’s and Pig’s Nose are technically Blended Scotch Whisky, meaning they are comprised of both malt and grain whiskies. The Green Label is a Blended Malt Whisky, containing only single-malt whiskies. I’ve not had any of these in quite some time (i.e., years). Based on what I recall, I believe the scores will be ranked in ascending order as I sample them alphabetically. Let’s find out. Dewar’s White Label Color is a clear Pantone 129. Very muted nose shows light pear, saline, and hay notes. There’s some surprising viscosity on the palate, which has a sweet honey element, transitioning to gentle white pepper and even a little vanilla on the medium-length finish. I’ve never purchased Dewar’s White Label. I recall that this bottle came as an already-opened party “gift” some years ago and has remained at its current 20% level since then. After tasting it, however, I must say that I’m surprised: there are no intrinsic flaws per se. Rather, the positive attributes that it does have are lightweight, which is merely less positive rather than overtly negative. I did not pour my falsely prejudiced swill down the drain, dear reader; my first of three Glencairn glasses now sits on my desk, empty. Still, Dewar’s White Label should not be considered an “introductory” whisky for the neophyte (Oban 14, while more expensive, is wonderful for both the newbie and connoisseur). This is a whisky intended to be cheap scotch for restaurants and parties, and for that I may one day be thankful if I find myself in a situation with no other alternative. The economics are obvious: 40% ABV is the bare minimum for a whisky designation, and ostensibly the unknown blending elements are secured on the cheap by the owner, and watered down as well. Dewar’s White Label is readily available for about $25. Would I buy it (for the first time)? No. But that doesn’t mean that I’d turn my nose up at it at a son’s frat party during Parent’s Weekend. In fact, I’d enjoy it. 3.0 on the scale. 40% ABV. NAS. Pig’s Nose Color is a touch darker than the Dewar’s; Pantone 142. Sweet honey nose, with added apples, hay, salt, and the tiniest bit of peat. Mouthfeel is slightly less viscous than the Dewar’s, but is not devoid of it. The palate exhibits more honeyed sweetness. Very little spiciness, and a short finish. Still, Pig’s Nose comes across as more robust than the Dewar’s: think simple, but at a higher volume. Whence the name? From the box: “’Tis said that our scotch is as soft and as smooth as a pig’s nose.” To continue the alliteration: not only soft and smooth, but also a quite unporcine sweet (which is not a bad thing). Perhaps the marketing department couldn’t conjure a complementary concise commentary. Pig’s Nose is widely available for about $30. Would I buy it again? No, for the same rationale behind my assessment of the Dewar’s. No lipstick on this pig, but the pork still tastes pretty good. 3.0 on the scale. 40% ABV. 5-Year age statement. Johnnie Walker Green Label Color is deeper than the Pig’s Nose; Pantone 130. Nose, palate, finish: everything about the Green Label is superior to the previous two entrants. Nose emits honey, salt, stewed-apple oatmeal, cured deli ham, a floral gardenia, and the slightest whiff of smoke. Lightly viscous palate explodes with the same flavors, with added intensity (“explodes” is not histrionic here). There’s some white-pepper spiciness, and a long finish with the sweet, salt, and smoke of bacon jam. As a blended malt whisky, Green Label is a blend of Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila (there may be others). After hearing several online whisky acquaintances sing the praises of Johnnie Walker Green Label, I decided to purchase a bottle (this was a few years ago). It was not an easy task, as I was unable to find one quickly. When I first tasted it some time ago, I was unable to appreciate the enthusiasm. I now rectify that shortcoming. JW Green Label retails for around $60 today, which is about what I paid for it some time ago. Would I buy it again? Yes. This is a complex whisky with a 15-year age statement (there could be older components), and significant value given these attributes. I’d love to experience it at a higher proof; the aromatics and flavor profile could certainly support it. 4.25 on the scale. 43% ABV. 15-Year age statement. Separately: another user rates this whisky at 95, and I concur—kind of. Green Label is very good. But it’s also problematic that the “Tasting Notes” by that user and others are on some kind of a 0-100 scale, but the actual users have a 0-5 scale in quarter-point increments. This is bad design, plain and simple: I do know a thing or two about UX, and I say this from the perspective of someone who founded (and sold) a consumer-facing software company. The scales should be the same for both expert and user. There are other ways to improve basic functionality as well, and I’ve emailed these suggestions to the platform with little success. Off my soapbox—for now. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass

I spent $8.99 for 200ml at Total Wine; a fifth would have cost $23.49, which is too much for what it is, although import costs naturally increase the price. It's an acceptable whisky, but nothing more, and the nose and finish are unpleasant, particularly the nose. It has an old gold color, is 80 proof, and lacks an age statement. Of course, knowing the exact mash bill is impossible, as it's a mixture of 40 single malt and single grain whiskies. NOSE: Sour, with fruit obscured by the sourness, metallic, honey, something reminiscent of a summer meadow, and salt. It's quite off-putting to smell. The sourness brings corn whisky to mind. TASTE: Orange, honey, floral nectar, Constant Comment Tea, salt, and a light fruit like peach. MOUTHFEEL: Creamy yet thin. FINISH: Very subtle oak, citrus, sour, and metallic notes; it's of medium length. This might be good in a cocktail, but I'll never buy a bottle to drink straight again.

My rating might suggest I didn't particularly enjoy this, and while it's not my top choice for a neat scotch blend, it does offer good value in cocktails. Dewar's White Label isn't aiming to be a spirit for sipping neat, and that's acceptable. The nose has hints of sherry, lemon, and smoke. The first impression on the palate is peat and honey, but it's thin and watery. The finish is similar to many other grain blends, dominated by sweetness and grain, fading quickly with minimal to no burn. If you need a scotch blend for mixed drinks, this is a very decent option. I personally prefer Johnnie Walker Black, though it costs more. Johnnie Walker Red is also slightly better in my opinion for the same price, but some might prefer this bottle over it. Regardless, I wouldn't suggest drinking it neat; stick to using it in cocktails.

This is a rich blended Scotch from Aberfeldy Distillery in the Highlands, bottled by Dewar's. It combines up to 40 fine malt and grain whiskies for a classic blend. It starts sweet with notes of oak, fresh grain, and vanilla. Later, fruit and herbs are present, leading to a medium finish with hints of Scottish heather, honey, citrus, caramel, and peat smoke. Sampled in March 2018, September 2021, August 2022, and July 2023.

This scotch is quite delicate. I consider it an excellent option for sipping or for use in cocktails. It presents a more robust aroma, reminiscent of acrid and smoldering timber. The texture is delicate and fluid. It carries a small portion of the aromas from the nose, concluding with a berry-like finish. It's certainly not unpleasant and lacks any drawbacks, though it's not particularly remarkable. This is definitely the way to start with scotch.

Color: Burnt Amber Body: Light with a quick flavor profile Nose: Honey is prominent with a light apple undertone Taste: Starts and finishes with harsh ethanol. Sweetness appears after the burn but fades quickly. Notes: served neat in glencairn glass Could work as a cocktail base, but hard to see it as a regular sipping whisky