Chivas Regal 12 Year Old

Chivas Regal traces its name back to the House of Chivas, a large mansion that was built at Shivas in Aberdeenshire in 1640; the name is derived from the Gaelic ‘seamhas’, meaning ‘narrow place’. In 1801 Chivas Brothers opened a grocery store in Aberdeen. The store sold luxury foodstuffs such as coffee, exotic spices, French brandies, and Caribbean rums to a wealthy clientele, and in 1843 Chivas Brothers were granted a Royal Warrant to supply goods to Queen Victoria. During the 1850s James Chivas started to blend whiskies to create a smooth whisky as it was requested by his customers. As a result he launched the company’s first blended Scotch whisky, Royal Glen Dee, followed in the 1860s by a second blended Scotch whisky, Royal Strathythan. In 1909, Chivas Brothers decided to create its most aged blended Scotch whisky to be exported to the US where the booming economy after the turn of the century was fueling demand for luxury goods; this whisky was named Chivas Regal. In 1950, Chivas Brothers acquired Strathisla Distillery that produces the Strathisla single malt used in the Chivas Regal blend.

The nose is very light and fruity. There are orange peel, vanilla, and honey, followed by hints of rubber.

The palate is medium-bodied and a tad peppery. Vanilla is the dominant flavour here, followed by caramel and a rest of orange peel.

The finish is of medium length, very sweet and fruity. It starts off being slightly peppery, then caramel comes to the fore, followed by hints of fudge and crème brûlée.

This is a simple and unassuming, yet pleasantly fruity and easy drinking blend. Overall a rather smooth and satisfying drinking experience.

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