This whiskey blend was released as a one off in 1995. It is perhaps the rarest bottle in my collection. I am down to two sample bottles and the Glencairn I hold in my hands.
You've probably never heard of this bottling or maybe you forgot about it as over 2 decades have passed since its release. I stumbled across this bottle about 3 years ago for around $80.
If you want to know more about the contents, I have provided that information at the bottom of this review.
Nose: I used a cover to concentrate the nose of this old bottle. When removed I find cherry cough syrup, pipe tobacco, heather and a mix of floral - lilac, lavender, jasmine. When these die down you can detect salty undertones - cured bacon. Finally sweet peat notes join in just the right way. This is quite a feat considering the diversity of malts. Chivas has done a masterful job balancing out the various regions while also adding new and interesting experiences.
Taste: Very good. First smoky peat rolls onto your young like a Scottish fog. Within the mists honey and heather remind me of the Highland components in this blend. There is also a nuttiness that comes from the malt. I was worried that there would be a heavy handed use of Sherry given the cherry notes in the nose, but that is not the case. Although the taste is excellent, I feel there could be more depth.
Finish: Sweet. Perhaps a little too sweet. There is also a little spice that balances out the sweetness.
Balance: Overall everything in this blend fits. Although it is a little sweet for my tastes, it feels like an intentional choice by the blender. I do not know if Century of Malts is greater than the sum of its parts, but it is unique in a positive way.
Final Thoughts: Over the years I have shared this remarkable Scotch with friends and family. No matter their preferences, everyone has found something to like. Perhaps the greatest outcome from artfully blending together malts from 100 distilleries is that there exists a special depth that is not achievable in any other blend or single malt.
"ONE HUNDRED SINGLE MALTS. This bottle contain 100 single malt Scotch whiskies - an unequalled collection. From the Highlands and the famous Spey Valley, the distant Islands, and the soft, harmonious Lowlands, a hundred ancient oak casks have yielded their treasure. The result is superb, of incomparable richness and age. Only the cellars of Chivas Brothers could produce such an historic tribute to the spirit of SCOTCH MALT WHISKY".
These are the 100 distilleries single malts Scotch whiskies in The Century of Malt: Aberfeldy, Aberlour, Allt a 'Bhainne, Ardbeg, Auchentoshan, Auchroisk, Aultmore, Balblair, Balmenach, Balvenie, Banff, Ben Nevis, Benriach, Benrinnes, Benromach, Blair Athol, Bowmore, (Royal) Brackla, Braeval, Brechin, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Caperdonich, Clynelish, Convalmore, Cragganmore, Craigduff, Craigellechie, Dailuaine, Dallas Dhu, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Deanston, Dufftown, Fettercairn, Glen Albyn, Glenallachie, Glenburgie, Glencadam, Glen Craig, Glen Elgin, Glen Esk, Glenfarcles, Glenfiddich, Glengarioch, Glenglassaugh, Glen Grant, Glengoyne, Glenisla, Glen Keith, Glenkinchie, The Glenlivet, Glenlochy, Glenlossie, Glen Mhor, Glen Moray, Glenrothes, Glen Scotia, Glen Spey, Glentauchers, Glenturret, Glenugie, Glenury Royal, Highland Park, Imperial, Inchgower, Inchmurrin, Inverleven, Isle of Jura, Kinclaith, Knockando, Ladyburn, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Linkwood, Littlemill, Longmorn, Macallan, Macduff, Mannochmore, Miltonduff, Mortloch, Mosstowie, Ord, Pittyvaich, Pulteney, Rhosdhu, Scapa, Speyburn, Springbank, Strathisla, Strathmill, Tamdhu, Tamnavulin, Teaninich, Tomatin, Tomintoul, Tormore and Tullibardine.
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