Blended Whiskies - April 3-12

[Ganga]

The Whiskies

Johnnie Walker Red, Black and Gold
Dewar's White and 12
Chivas Regal 12 and 18
Famous Grouse 12
Cutty Sark
J&B
Grant's
And any other blended whisky you may have...

Date and Time


Friday 3rd April 7:00pm GMT - Sunday 12th Apri

About...

The focus is on blended whiskies, those whiskies products that include grain whiskies with malt whiskies. Although most of what I have is Scottish blends feel free to incorporate blends from around the world.

[Ganga]

I'm going to start off today with three of Johnnie Walker's products: the Red, the Black and the Gold.

I have poured all three into glencairn glasses and will be trying these without any water or ice...at least to start.

[Ganga]

JW Red
Brand : Johnnie Walker Expression : Red
Nose : very light maltiness, fruits-apples, coconut, vanilla, estery lemons Palate : doughy, thin varnish, chocolate covered coconut Finish : lingering spiciness and esters from the grains Comment : - Colour : dark straw Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Johnnie Walker	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

As I sit with more of this on the palate, I can see where Talisker would be an influence on the flavor profile. It becomes more peppery with time. Still, not really my kind of whisky.

[Ganga]

Of course, always in the interest of science...and my fellow drammers too.

I've managed to put my hands on 10 blend samples so should be able to really go through the gambit.

[Ganga]

JW Black
Brand : Johnnie Walker Expression : Black 12
Nose : Pepper dough, Elmer's glue, deft (wood sealer) Palate : smokey malt, iodine, cucumbers Finish : lingers with a hay like quality Comment : - Colour : dark straw Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Johnnie Walker	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

This is a pretty big step forward. Still not my first choice for a whisky though. Onto the gold.

[Ganga]

JW Gold
Brand : Johnnie Walker Expression : Gold 18
Nose : Honey malt, smokey, nail polish, dried herbs Palate : bread cooked over an open fire, dried herbs and spices, varnish Finish : spices and old varnish Comment : - Colour : Gold Score : 0
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Johnnie Walker	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[pkt77242]

I am at work for a couple more hours but will join in when I get home.

Sean

[Ganga]

That is a huge step forward. The grain content has integrated and started to add to the depth of the malt structure within the whisky instead of tasting like "alcohol". Yes, I could sit with this whisky for an evening.

Now I'm starting to get a little bit of honey too.

[Ganga]

I should be around for awhile and probably again in the evening. Look forward to seeing you later Sean.

[Ganga]

I'm moving onto three more blended whiskies: Cutty Sark, J&B and Grant's. Information, as much as it is available, will be shown in the notes.

[Ganga]

Grant's Blended Scotch NAS
Brand : William Grant's Expression : Blended Scotch NAS
Nose : very spirity, lemon Pledge Palate : strong vanillans, some liquid varnish, malty Finish : malty Comment : - Colour : pale straw Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : William Grant & Sons	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

A big swig brings the grain alcohol to the fore. I'd still say it is surprisingly different from the nose.

[Ganga]

J & B
Brand : J & B Expression : Rare Blended Scotch Whisky
Nose : grain alcohol, lemon spritz, dough comes in with some swirling Palate : green grasses, rough grains Finish : august harvest Comment : - Colour : canary yellow Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : J & B	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Not nearly as enjoyable as anything prior. Obviously young with a high grain alcohol content.

[Ganga]

Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky
Brand : Berry Bros. & Rudd Expression : Blended Scotch Whiskey
Nose : sour, barley underneath it, grapefruit and lemon Palate : old silage and barley, lemons Finish : barley and lemons. Comment : - Colour : light gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Berry Bros & Rudd	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Old St. Andrews Barrel
Brand : Old St. Andrews Expression : Barrel
Nose : doughy, lemon, furniture polish/varnish Palate : chocolatey dough, spirity lemons Finish : spirity (not so much in a bad way) Comment : - Colour : gold Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Old St. Andrews	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Dewar's White
Brand : Dewar's Expression : White Label
Nose : Farmyard smells - waste, rotten grains! Palate : Grains, old straw, estery Finish : Straw Comment : - Colour : light gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : John Dewar's & Sons	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

By far the least enjoyable thus far. The Drumguish of blends.

[Ganga]

Famous Grouse 12
Brand : Famous Grouse Expression : 12 yo
Nose : cinnamon buns, pudding Palate : cinnamon sticks, maltiness, lemon rinds Finish : mildly spicey Comment : - Colour : old gold Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Famous Grouse	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

This is good whisky. Flavors and aromas are well integrated and work together.

[Ganga]

Chivas Regal 18
Brand : Chivas Regal Expression : 18
Nose : lemon bread (heavy bread), cinnamon sticks Palate : old grains-dry bread, cinnamon-ground, dried lemons Finish : cinnamon and lemons Comment : - Colour : medium gold Score : 0
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : Chivas Bros	Type : Blended Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Very interesting tasting. I will try to revisit these again either tonight or later this week. Maybe a different glass or water or with ice. Hope the rest of you can join in at some point. Definitely will check back in tonight Sean.

[Ryguy]

Well done so far Ganga, way to kick it off! You've already provided a great range, with some excellent notes. At home here I have a couple samples of Nikka (which I believe are blends, labeled Black and From the Barrel), Teachers, Compass Box Orangerie (which is a blend I suppose), and I think that's about it. I'll try and get to some of these a little later this evening.

[pkt77242]

Just got home from work and getting my blends lined up.
I will be in and out for most of the afternoon and evening.

Sean

[pkt77242]

First up is J&B rare. just poured it and the nose is rough. Will post notes in a second.

Sean

[pkt77242]

J&B Rare
Brand : J & B Expression : -
Nose : Turpentine, lemon, and dish soap. Palate : Much better than the nose. Lemon, slightly sweet wood and grain. Finish : short, very little burn, and just a hint of lemon Comment : The palate is much better than the nasty nose. but still not very good Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Blended Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Cutty Sark
Brand : Cutty Sark Expression : -
Nose : lemon, and well lemon. though it is not very expressive. maybe just a hint of floralness. Palate : lemon, and well lemon mouthwash. almost makes the mouth feel dirty. Lots of grain and little malt. Finish : Thankfully very short, with a fair amount of burn. Comment : I wouldn't even mix this with coke, as it would be a waste of coke. Maybe I would use it for a hot toddy but only if I had lost my sense of taste. Definitely a step down from the J&B. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Blended Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Dewars White Label
Brand : Dewar's Expression : White Label
Nose : not very expressive. maybe just a hint of citrus but almost nothing else. maybe a hint of wet wood. Palate : lemon, wet wood, very inoffensive but also very little flavor. Finish : extremely short finish. Comment : Must be a great mixing whisky as there is little flavor. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Blended Region : - Water : none Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[Ras Mazunga]

Good evening.
Don't have much time but will try to taste a few.
Starting with Scotch Blue 40% nas, a korean brand blended in Scotland.
n: wet dog changing soon in fruits, melons, pears, apples, wood, after some 10 minutes the nose loses all the fruiy things and it is time to drink.
t: citrus, tea, wood
f: short, citrus,
c: much better than I remember. young and tasty.

[pkt77242]

Dewars 12yo
Brand : Dewar's Expression : -
Nose : lemon, vanilla, hints of wood. Palate : lemon and hints of vanilla. still alittle grainy but definitely a higher malt content. Finish : medium length finish. but still a little like cleaning solution Comment : Definitely getting better but still not worth the purchase of a full bottle. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Blended Region : - Water : none Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[Ras Mazunga]

Just had some Scotch Blue 21, nice, subtle maybe a little thin. Now a fuller one, Chivas Regal 18. Smells like grilled chicken.

[pkt77242]

Chivas Regal 12yo
Brand : Chivas Regal Expression : -
Nose : slight sherry, apple, maybe some nut, so far the best blend Palate : caramel, nut, hints of sherry. soft. Finish : medium finish. caramel. Comment : so far the best blend. Very soft and sweet. easy to drink. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 0% Bottler : -	Type : Blended Region : - Water : none Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

I am going to take a coule of hour break and then will be back later to taste the JW red, black and gold.

Sean

[Ganga]

Very interesting notes there Ras and Sean. Thinking about doing some of the blends with some water added a little later tonight.