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Fahrenheit 173 - Aged Spirits
"If it's not good enough to drink slowly, then it's not worth drinking"
Premium blended Scotch: Five 12 year old whiskies | 28 Aug 2011 | ||
Another flight of blended Scotch whisky - this time in the "premium" category:
Ballantine's Gold Seal, 12 y.o.:
Rather nice nose with notes of dried fruits, gingerbread, oak, white pepper and a hint of peat.
The palate is very nice at first: sweet and fruity with lime and vanilla but then the oak takes over.
The finish is oaky, spicy, hot, fairly dry and a little bitter - disappointing after the nice start.
(84 p)
Chivas Regal, 12 y.o.:
Weak nose with faint but nice notes of grain whisky, toffee, citrus and oak. Mild, sweet, balanced palate with
dried fruits (sherry wood), also peat, develops oak and spices. Oaky, spicy, slightly peaty finish.
A very nicely balanced, easy drinking Scotch (much nicer than a few years ago).
(86 p)
Dewar's Special Reserve, 12 y.o.:
Nice nose with a fresh grain whisky character, fragrant oak shavings, sherry fruits and a hint of aniseed.
Sweet, balanced, very mild palate with soft fruits, vanilla and toffee. Develops a little pepper.
The finish is oaky, a little peppery and just a little peaty.
(85 p)
Johnnie Walker Black Label, 12 y.o.:
Nice nose with notes of both grain and malt whisky, also custard, citrus (blood orange), oak and a little peat.
Medium-bodied, malty palate with a little smoke. It's muscular, fairly powerful, slightly fiery. A little rough yet charming.
Turns sweeter and develops notes of dried fruits. Nice oaky, spicy finish with toffee and some peat at the end.
However, it seems younger than 12 years and it's not as nice as a few years ago.
(84 p)
Scottish Prince, 12 y.o.:
Nice nose: subtle and complex with notes of fudge, honey, orange and grain whisky, also oak, vanilla and cinnamon.
Mild, smooth, balanced palate. It's rather sweet but the sweetness is nicely offset by oaky spices. Drying and develops
notes of fennel and orange. Lovely finish with oak and aniseed.
(86 p)
Related link:
All my tasting notes on blended Scotch
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