Old Parr 12 Year

My internet connection failed today, which is a terrible inconvenience for someone in technology. Fishing was cancelled due to the weather. What else is there to do? A Scotch whisky tasting, naturally! Today's focus is on three intriguing and affordable 12-year-old blends. Let's look at each one. The Old Parr has an earthy aroma with notes of rich wildflower honey, soil, ripe apples and pears, and a top note of oxidized sherry. Buchanan's is lighter, with prominent notes of butterscotch candy, apple skins, strawberries, and a slight lemon. The Chivas is the mildest of the three, featuring Granny Smith apple, dry autumnal fields, fresh berries, and dry grain. These are strong contenders on the palate. I haven't had Chivas in ages, so this is essentially new to me. Light apple skins, honey, and barley grain create a delicate sip. Sherry fruits appear mid-palate. The finish is brief. It's quite easy to drink. Buchanan's is a regular in my collection, sitting between Dewar's 12 (a close companion) and Johnnie Walker Black, both of which I also frequently enjoy. These are my reliable "Rob Roy" choices, dependable and satisfying. The Buchanan's has a richer mouthfeel and slightly more intense flavor than the Chivas. They seem quite similar, and it would be difficult to distinguish them if tasted separately. Old Parr is even richer, with a creamier mouthfeel, a hint of smoke, raw honey, and echoes of Spanish sherry. It's truly delightful. The conclusion? All three are more than acceptable whiskies and are competitively priced. I doubt anyone would taste these and find any of them unpleasant. They are all quite good! If I had to select one, my favorite today would be the Old Parr, as that's what my palate prefers at the moment. Tomorrow, it could easily be one of the others. I'm pleased to have them all in my collection. Cheers!

This is one of the coolest and most unique bottles available, resembling a tequila container more than a scotch one. It brings to mind a turtle's shell, a coconut or cantaloupe, or even a grenade. I have no idea who devised it, but I appreciate that it's easy to spot even from afar on a bar shelf. To its credit, there is no noticeable grain alcohol aroma, which is not always easy for a blend to achieve since grain scotches often retain that young spirit smell longer than malt scotches. The nose has an almost inky character and strongly suggests Speyside: apple, dark fruits from sherry or Cabernet Sauvignon, malt, hazelnut or chestnut, some balsamic vinegar, and spice. Upon the first taste, this scotch is quite sweet, and the sherry presents as candied fruit and raisins, with a texture almost chewy despite its 40% ABV. The cereal sweetness offers a slight variation on that theme. That nutty quality remains evident, though it leans a bit more towards almond on the palate, and some spice is present as well. It's a classic sherried scotch profile, and smooth as butter. I detect a medium-length finish with a touch of bitterness, a hint of smoke (though not a peaty smoke), and a lingering tart sweetness. It's not groundbreaking, but it's good work by the blenders. Honestly, if I were unaware it was a blend, I'd simply assume it came from one of the standard sherry-aged Speyside distilleries. If this were a single malt and I'd spent $60 on it, it would earn a 3-star rating on this site. However, it's actually an inexpensive blend in the $35-40 range. Considering the value received, and in the holiday spirit, I'll raise this one to 4 stars here. It would be an 85-88 in my estimation according to the rating system. A random thought -- doesn't the name GOP make this a tailor-made gift for the conservatives in your life?

- Blended Scotch - Caramel coloring - Very cheap - Easy to find in any supermarket - Cragganmore + Glendullan = whisky base - Company = Diageo Nose: vanilla, caramel, dried fruits (I get a lot of dates and apricots) and raisins, it's like there are some traditional sherry notes; malty sweetness, a bit citrusy, cinnamon, grain whisky, light smoke, and woodiness; alcohol is almost unnoticeable. Additional note: after swirling the glass, a very peculiar aroma of tea, like green tea or yerba mate (from the smoky residue) is detected. Very interesting! Palate: malty sweetness, vanilla, spicy, light woodiness, and smokiness. Dried fruits are still present, all in a well-balanced and smooth manner. Low oiliness but an interesting and present bitterness. Just like in the aroma, the alcohol is barely perceptible and doesn't bother. Finish: short, with sweetness and bitterness being the main players. A very light smokiness is noticeable, but in a very discreet way. The alcohol is a bit more perceptible at this point, but it doesn't bother at all. Overall impressions: an entry-level blended whisky, very smooth and easy to drink. Very affordable price, easily found in Brazil and recommended for those starting in the world of whiskies. Despite the price, it has a relatively complex aroma, a show in itself, but as the notes are very soft and well-balanced, some people might have difficulty distinguishing the aromas separately. I don't recommend tasting with water, at most a large ice sphere, as its dilution in water will significantly affect its aromas and flavors. Great value for money.

This was a purchase made out of necessity at a poor liquor store, costing around $31 USD. The name suggests the spirit's heritage, as a certain individual reportedly lived a very long life. Elegant marketing. The aroma is rather ordinary. A touch of sharpness indicates it's not entirely unpleasant. Beneath the faint peat, there's a hint of sweet musk reminiscent of star anise or cinnamon. On the palate, there's a creamy tea and scorched log sensation that's as appealing as it sounds. Do you enjoy campfires and breakfast tea with milk and honey? The peat lingers subtly at the end, just enough to tie everything together without overpowering. If you could transform seaweed into honey waffle candy, it would taste like this spirit. The mouthfeel isn't overly hot; the age and wood have been utilized effectively. Recognizing that not all 12-year-old spirits are identical, I personally awarded it a few extra points. Enjoyed neat at room temperature, it goes down very smoothly. Will I likely get another bottle? No. But: The bottle itself is attractive and worth keeping for that reason alone. It's a suitable choice for a relaxed evening drink after work.

Pouring this neat, it has a copper/amber color. The aroma is mellow and rich with musty oak, plus a good amount of malty cereal and notes of dried hay; and, a little candied dried fruit. It’s rich and malty sweet on the tongue, with some toffee and dried fruit flavor, and a dash of spice. The finish is a long, lingering one, but only slightly warm and slightly peppery. There is a good whiff of peat throughout: less than some, but more than others. The brown bottle is a little unusual, perhaps making it more interesting for some people as a Christmas gift.

The aroma isn't overpowering but is rich with honey, fruitcake, and roasted nuts. There's orange peel and a slight hint of wood, along with some sherry, but everything is quite subdued. The taste is a full, round malt sweetness combined with fruit, a hint of dark chocolate, and a light, spicy finish. Oak, cloves, and cinnamon mixed with black tea tannins are the true highlight here, executed with remarkable refinement. The flavor definitely mirrors the aroma but with more intensity and a touch of character that the nose only hints at. There's a lot to appreciate about this dram. It's winter in Australia as I write this, and this is an almost perfect dram to enjoy on the sofa with a book. Cheers. Thanks to Cascade for the sample.