Dewar's White Label

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY SHOWDOWN Dewar’s White Label Pig’s Nose Johnnie Walker Green Label Continuing to work through whiskies in my collection that I’ve yet to review. While this trio may appear incongruous—the Dewar’s and Pig’s Nose are bottom-shelf, while the Johnnie Walker 15 is top-shelf—they are the only blended scotch whiskies that I own. Further, the Dewar’s and Pig’s Nose are technically Blended Scotch Whisky, which means that they are comprised of both malt and grain whiskies. The Green Label is a Blended Malt Whisky, which contains only single-malt whiskies. I’ve not had any of these in quite some time (i.e., years). Based on what I recall, I believe the scores will be ranked in ascending order as I sample them alphabetically. Let’s find out. Dewar’s White Label Color is a clear Pantone 129. Very muted nose shows light pear, saline, and hay notes. There’s some surprising viscosity on the palate, which has a sweet honey element, transitioning to gentle white pepper and even a little vanilla on the medium-length finish. I’ve never purchased Dewar’s White Label. I recall that this bottle came as an already-opened party “gift” some years ago and has remained at its current 20% level since then. After tasting it, however, I must say that I’m surprised: there are no intrinsic flaws per se. Rather, the positive attributes that it does have are lightweight, which is merely less positive rather than overtly negative. I did not pour my falsely prejudiced swill down the drain, dear reader; my first of three Glencairn glasses now sits on my desk, empty. Still, Dewar’s White Label should not be considered an “introductory” whisky for the neophyte (Oban 14, while more expensive, is wonderful for both the newbie and connoisseur). This is a whisky intended to be cheap scotch for restaurants and parties, and for that I may one day be thankful if I find myself in a situation with no other alternative. The economics are obvious: 40% ABV is the bare minimum for a whisky designation, and ostensibly the unknown blending elements are secured on the cheap by Bacardi, it’s owner, and watered down as well. Dewar’s White Label is readily available for about $25. Would I buy it (for the first time)? No. But that doesn’t mean that I’d turn my nose up at it at my son’s frat party during Parent’s Weekend. In fact, I’d enjoy it. 3.0 on the Distiller scale. 40% ABV. NAS. Pig’s Nose Color is a touch darker than the Dewar’s; Pantone 142. Sweet honey nose, with added apples, hay, salt, and the tiniest bit of peat. Mouthfeel is slightly less viscous than the Dewar’s, but is not devoid of it. The palate exhibits more honeyed sweetness. Very little spiciness, and a short finish. Still, Pig’s Nose comes across as more robust than the Dewar’s: think simple, but at a higher volume. Whence the name? From the box: “’Tis said that our scotch is as soft and as smooth as a pig’s nose.” To continue the alliteration: not only soft and smooth, but also a quite unporcine sweet (which is not a bad thing). Perhaps the marketing department couldn’t conjure a complementary concise commentary. Pig’s Nose is widely available for about $30. Would I buy it again? No, for the same rationale behind my assessment of the Dewar’s. No lipstick on this pig, but the pork still tastes pretty good. 3.0 on the Distiller scale. 40% ABV. 5-Year age statement. Johnnie Walker Green Label Color is deeper than the Pig’s Nose; Pantone 130. Nose, palate, finish: everything about the Green Label is superior to the previous two entrants. Nose emits honey, salt, stewed-apple oatmeal, cured deli ham, a floral gardenia, and the slightest whiff of smoke. Lightly viscous palate explodes with the same flavors, with added intensity (“explodes” is not histrionic here). There’s some white-pepper spiciness, and a long finish with the sweet, salt, and smoke of bacon jam. As a blended malt whisky, Green Label is a blend of Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila (there may be others). After hearing several online whisky acquaintances sing the praises of Johnnie Walker Green Label, I decided to purchase a bottle (this was a few years ago). It was not an easy task, as I was unable to find one quickly. When I first tasted it some time ago, I was unable to appreciate the enthusiasm. I now rectify that shortcoming. JW Green Label retails for around $60 today, which is about what I paid for it some time ago. Would I buy it again? Yes. This is a complex whisky with a 15-year age statement (there could be older components), and significant value given these attributes. I’d love to experience it at a higher proof; the aromatics and flavor profile could certainly support it. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. 43% ABV. 15-Year age statement. Separately: @stephaniemoreno rates this whisky at 95, and I concur—kind of. Green Label is very good. But it’s also problematic that the “Tasting Notes” by Stephanie and others are on some kind of a 0-100 scale, but the actual users have a 0-5 scale in quarter-point increments. This is bad design, plain and simple: I do know a thing or two about UX, and I say this from the perspective of someone who founded (and sold) a consumer-facing software company. The scales should be the same for both expert and user. There are other ways to improve basic functionality as well, and I’ve emailed these to Distiller with little success. Off my soapbox—for now. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass

I paid $8.99 for 200ml at Total Wine; a fifth would have been $23.49, which is more than it's worth, though of course importation raises the price. This is an adequate whisky, but no more, and the nose and finish are unpleasant, especially the nose. It's old gold in the glass, the stuff is 80 proof, and there's no age statement. Of course knowing the exact mash bill is impossible, since it's a blend of 40 single malt and single grain whiskies. NOSE: Sour, with fruit hiding behind the sourness, metallic, honey, something that made me think of a summer meadow, and salt. This is a really unpleasant thing to have in my nose. The sourness reminds me of corn whisky. TASTE: Orange, honey, flower nectar, Constant Comment Tea, salt, a light fruit - peach? MOUTHFEEL: Creamy but thin. FINISH: Very faint oak, citrus, sour, metallic - medium. This stuff might work well in a mixed drink, but for drinking straight this will be my only bottle ever.

The rating may seem to hint that I really did not like this and while I won't say it's my favorite scotch blend, it does offer some value when it comes to cocktails. Dewar's white label is not trying to be the blend to drink when you want something neat and that's fine. The nose has hints of sherry, lemon and smoke. The first thing that hints you on the palate is the peat and honey, but it is watery and thin. The finish falls in line with many other grain blends, with sweetness and the grain overtaking everything, but pretty quickly fading, with little to no burn. If you need a scotch blend for a cocktail, this is a pretty solid choice. I personally prefer Johnnie Walker black, but that also costs a bit more. Johnnie Walker Red is also a bit better in my opinion for the same price, but I can see people leaning towards this bottle over that. Either way, I wouldn't recommend it neat, just stick to using it in cocktails.

A rich, Blended Scotch by Aberfeldy Distillery from the Highlands & bottled by Dewar's. Up to 40 of the finest malt and grain whiskies are blended together to create this time-honored blend. It has a sweet birth with notes of Oak, fresh grain & vanilla; while life adds notes of fruit & herbs; that led to a medium death with notes of Scottish heather, honey, citrus, caramel & peat smoke. March 2018 / September 2021 / August 2022 / July 2023

Very light for a scotch. I think that this is a super drinkable choice or a good whisky mixer. Its got a tougher nose that smells of bitter and smokey wood. The body is light and smooth. It has a fraction of the notes felt on the nose; and finishes with a fruity aftertaste. Its not bad at all, has no negative qualities- but this is not a show stopper. For an intro to scotch- this is it.

Color: Burnt Amber Body: Light with fast flavor Nose: Honey forward with light apple background Taste: harsh ethanol start and finish. Sweet post burn but dissipates quickly Notes: served neat in glencairn glass Might be a good base for a cocktail but hard to see as regular sipping whiskey