nose: fudge, smoke, cereal honey. simple but nice. A couple of serious deep sniffs made me think raisins. The wife said "sweet cedar forest" and I dont personally get it but see how she could; rich wood doesnt sound like a crazy stretch. palate: Smoke isnt pronounced but it impressively hits the front and back. I could understand "chocolate and oranges" but my taste was more chocolate and almost no marmalade-like notes. Citrus zest is fair but I wasnt getting much more than that. It definitely drinks like something that could have cost $20 more. The peat being present as much as it was without offsetting the rich and full mouth is a treat, impressive when you consider the price point and ABV. I picked this one up because I needed a sipper under $50 that wasnt Dewars or Johnny. I came out quite happy. The professional review is quite spot-on: you really wonder just how much of a massively juicy, slow-chewing, deep spirit this must've been at higher proof. The proof was surprising. for only being 80 proof it isnt without a decent strong little character to it. You could definitely breeze through drams of this without trying too hard but it is a respectable sip. May be a good choice to get someone a taste of something that isnt heavily-peated but still shows off a little smokiness. Personally I like a little less oil taste with my waxy, meaty, "chewers" but it is a SMOOTH dram. The oil and hotness do not honestly even present much: they just remind you how really rich and lush the cereal and fruit backbone is. Water made it sweeter. Not bad, not good. Just sweeter. I didnt try ice but this seems a really good candidate for a fat pour + 43/drambuie + 2 ice cubes. 1-100 I'd toss it a 84. I would give Johnny Green 87 or 88 for reference. Paid $42 w tax at Total Wine CO
About this bottle
This blended malt released in 2018 is a first for Buchanan's, a blended Scotch whisky brand in Diageo's vast spirits portfolio. It was created by master blender Craig Wallace who launched several of the Singleton single malts as well as Smoky Goat, a unique blend combining three styles of whisky that was the first bottling part of Whiskey Union. This blended malt incorporates single malts "from the heart of Scotland" all aged a minimum of 15 years. Bottled at 80 proof, this first launched in Mexico in early 2018 and was introduced to other markets including the US in July of that year. It is a permanent addition for the brand.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 5 parsed reviews.
Light smoke, citrus, pears, chocolate and malt on the nose, smooth and creamy on the palate with sweet pears and a hint of smoke, the chocolate, pears and hint of smoke ride through the medium finish.
Nose citrus , vanilla , fruits like apple or pears , light smoke
Biscuity and actually catching a little peat on this
Smooth criminal
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
