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Compass Box Spice Tree Blended Scotch Whisky

I was expecting so much more from this. I learned about it from a bartender after I tried Compass Box’s Peat Monster and I looked around for it for a while before ordering just a dram of it to try. Maybe I psyched myself up for it too much. It was good. I’d even give it very good. But I was expecting more than good; I was expecting interesting. What I got was good.

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 20 Year

Again, sublime. Layered. Interesting profile. I liked it better than the 23y and it was worth it to know what it tastes like but I will probably keep going back to the 12y and the 15y.

Hooker’s House Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Rye-heavy for a bourbon and matured in Pinot Noir barrels, this one is not for me. It shares the same aftertaste that drove me away from Whistle Pig and the one Dalmore that I’ve tried but my tasting companion for the evening didn’t get any of the flavors that I described and really, really liked it for her palate. Ice only intensified them. For me, it would’ve been undrinkable. For her, it was amazing.

Compass Box Delilah’s American Oak Blended Scotch Whisky

I went looking for a different Compass Box. The bar didn’t have it but counter-suggested this. (And serious hat tip to that bartender. Three of the four he pulled, I’d never even seen before.)

It reminds me a lot of the lighter bourbons and sweeter American whiskies I’ve tried. It’s sweet; it’s vanilla; it’s oaky; and it’s very, very good.

 

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Chivas Regal Blended Scotch Whisky, 12-year and Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky

Wanna know a secret? This is a little embarrassing. For the longest time I conflated these two. I’d never tried either but I always mixed them up. I would hear Chivas Regal and imagine the purple, draw-string bag all my friends kept their dice in in high school. (Mine were in a hand-made velvet bag, thankyouverymuch.) I would hear Crown Royal and, well, I’d imagine the purple, draw-string bag all my friends kept their dice in in high school. 

Silly me.

I did some actual research with this tasting and it turns out I really like everything Chivas Brothers has put out that I’ve tried so far except the Glenlivet 12y. Strathisla 12y? Instant favorite. Scapa 16y? Instant favorite. Chivas 18y? Fantastic. Glenlivet Nadurra 16y? Incredible. This is, of course, most similar to the Chivas Regal 18y. It’s a solid, smooth, blended scotch. Nice.

The Crown Royal couldn’t be more different. There’s no way I will ever conflate them again now that I’ve tried them. It’s lighter, more crisp than most of the Canadian whiskies I’ve tried. There’s a bit of a minty quality to it that I find strangely pleasant. Especially when you consider that I’m not a big fan of mint.

In summary: I appear to be a Chivas Brothers girl in addition to a Willet and Balvenie Girl; I liked them both; and I’ll never mix them up again.

Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky

Straight, it’s good. Sort of like any other scotch. With ice, it’s bright and sweet and smooth and really very good. I’d take that any day.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Single Barrel Select

Nope. Not for me. This is actually the first JD I’ve had. It shares that particular aftertaste that is a complete no-go for me. One of these days, I’ll figure out what it is but for now I’m curious if other JD whiskeys share it.