If you’ve read any of my Whiskey Wednesday columns, you know that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool bourbon guy. It’s my first love, and I can’t imagine anything unseating it. But I’ve been wanting to try Scotch. Scotland is a significant part of my heritage, so it feels like a nod to my ancestors to give it a try.
I recently asked my friend and colleague, Athena Thorne, for suggestions, and she gave me a couple. One of my local package stores had a small collection of miniature bottles of Scotch, so those were my limited choices.
Here are my reviews of the ones I’ve tried. I listed them in alphabetical order, but that’s not the order in which I tried them. The seasoned Scotch drinker will probably recognize that I’m not up on my Scotch terminology. Please accept my apologies for my relative ignorance.
Buchanan’s Deluxe 12 Year
Blended, 80 proof
Retails for around $26-$40
I tried this one neat first, and it was surprisingly delicate. It’s woodsy and grassy, but there’s a caramel flavor that comes through. The smokiness isn’t as prominent as some of the others. With water, the caramel notes give way to vanilla, and it becomes even lighter.
On the rocks, I could better appreciate the heat that Buchanan’s brings. It’s not a complex pour; instead, it’s simpler and more subtle. That’s what gives it a certain appeal.
Rating: 9.5/10
Chivas Regal 12 Year
Blended, 80 proof
Retails for around $23-$38
This one comes across as light and subtle. I tried it first with some water (and I might have put a little too much water in it), and it was mild and unremarkable.
Trying it neat, I get sort of a spicy apple and a definite maltiness that is much more evident. It has an oaky spiciness that’s both appealing and bewildering. Maybe it’s my penchant for cold drinks, but when I drank it on the rocks, the flavors came more alive for me. Athena mentioned this one as a good entry-level Scotch, and I can see why.
Rating: 8/10
The Glenlivet 14 Year (Cognac Cask Finish)
Single malt, 100% barley, 80 proof
Retails for around $60-$70
I consulted with ChatGPT before embarking on this journey, and it informed me that this variety was my “star” because it’s closest to a bourbon. It’s the only single malt on my list, which was a surprise because I was just grabbing the bottles that my local store had without analyzing them.
It’s got a sweet, rich flavor that caught me by surprise. With a bit of water, you can make out the sweetness, but admittedly, it’s also watered down (of course). When I drank it neat, I caught malty notes with a hint of toffee flavor, a subtle note of something that reminded me of coffee, and a dried fruit undercurrent (think prunes and raisins).
On the rocks, it comes to life. The same flavors I tasted neat mellow out in an appealing way. There’s a smokiness to it that’s not overwhelming. I’d drink this again.
Rating: 9/10
Related: Whiskey Wednesday: Tasting the Bourbons of Bluegrass Distillers
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year
Blended, 80 proof
Retails for around $33-$40
This is one of the smokiest whiskies I’ve ever tasted, and I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed it. When I drank it neat, I noticed a graininess and a heat that reminded me of bourbon, yet it retained a character that I’m starting to recognize in Scotch. When I added some water, I caught more of a vanilla-caramel flavor that’s also appealing.
Adding ice emphasized the spicy sweetness appealingly. I’m new enough to the smokiness of Scotch, so I might not have the right words to describe how this one tasted to me. In a weird way, it’s almost meaty, as if I’m drinking something that conjures up barbecue flavors, and I was surprised at how the smokiness remained prominent neat, with water, and on the rocks. I think if I dip into scotch more regularly, this will be a go-to.
Rating: 9.5/10
Related: Soulless Greens Are Trying to Ruin Scotch Whisky
Do you have any recommendations for Scotches I should try? Let me know in the comments, or message me if you're a VIP Platinum member.
