Chivas Regal 12 Year Old is the standard by which to judge blended Scotch Whiskies. Debuted in the United States in 1939, the golden spirit has remained almost unchanged for over 80 years. It’s premium and attainable, making it unique within the Whisky marketplace.
Crafted from a rich blend of malt and grain whiskies, each Whisky is matured for at least 12 years. It’s made at Strathisla distillery at Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland, which was founded in 1786 and happens to be the oldest continuously operating Highland distillery.
A radian, warm amber in color, the nose features an aromatic infusion of wild herbs, heather, honey, and orchard fruits. The palate is round and creamy with honey and pears tangling with notes of vanilla, hazelnut, and butterscotch. The finish is rich and lingering.
Chivas Regal 12 is fantastic sipped neat or on the rocks, but also makes an excellent addition fo a cocktail. If you’re looking to shake something up, the distillery recommends a Morning Glory Fizz:
Morning Glory Fizz
- 50ml Chivas Regal 12
- 10ml White Sugar
- Lemon Juice
- 15ml Lime juice
- 25ml Egg White
- Soda water
Pour freshly squeezed lemon juice into your cocktail shaker. Add the sugar & a dash of Pernod Absinthe. Add Chivas Regal 12, then add the egg white. Dry shake. Add ice and shake again. Top with soda, allowing it to foam to the rim.
Chivas Regal can trace its history back to the early 19th Century, when Brothers James and John Chivas began producing their now famous Whisky. It all started when James became a partner in a high-quality grocery, luxury goods, wines and liquor emporium in 1838. He went on to launch the brand’s first Whisky, Royal Glen Dee, in 1854. In the late 1850s, John joined his brother and they named the company Chivas Regal. In 1863, they launched a proprietary Blended Scotch whisky, a smoothly crafted blend of 10 year old malt and grain Whiskies, Royal Strathythan. Today, the company is part of Pernod Richard.
Chivas Regal also produces a 13 Year Old, a Mizunara, an Extra, an 18 Year Old, an XV, and a 25 Year Old.
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Ratings:
- The Whisky Exchange: 4/5
- The Whiskey Jug: 78/100
- Flaviar: 7.4/10