Tuesday 5 May 2015

Worth the EXTRA Wait!


BLOG RESILIENCE
So why the wait? Mostly to test the a 'long-term-content' blogs resilience. Would people care if regular posts were absent, but the overall content was legend? It turns out 'The Whiskey Notebook' blog is supremely resilient.

N.A.S. BRANDS
It was coincidentally opportune to be silent as the whisky world was doing an about turn on aged-stated whiskies. I refer to N.A.S. (non-age-stated) whisky. Today matters are settled and most leading whisky producers include N.A.S. whiskies in their range. One company is even promoting 'Flavour is King' without stating 'king over what?'. They mean 'king over aged whiskies' but the claim is wrong.
 
I have embraced NAS whiskies after extensive tastings across the latest offerings from various whisky suppliers. Some were awful and others awesome.

CHIVAS EXTRA
This brings me to this newest post and to a new passion - a N.A.S. whisky from Chivas Brothers - Chivas Regal Extra Blended Scotch whisky which won Gold at the recent 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Challenge in the category 'Best Blended Scotch up to 15 years old'.


 Photograph property of Mark Backhouse

"An incredibly rich and discerning interpretation of the Chivas Signature style".
Colin Scott
Chivas Regal Master Blender

There is nothing I do not like about this new expression in the Chivas Regal range. I prefer the uncomplicated studier gift box. The word 'Extra' fully encapsulates the rich, generous, and discerning taste of the new blend assembled by the world-renowned Chivas Regal master blender. The packaging is a mixture of deep burgundy-red and gold elements representing the REGAL and Classic character of the whisky. I am an immediate fan of Chivas Regal Extra. Chivas Regal further reinforces its credentials as the world's leading premium blended Scotch whisky with this fantastic addition in the range.

TASTING NOTES:
Colour: Dark in shade with a warm amber glow. Nose: Fruity sweet with notes of ripe pears and melon, creamy toffee, milk chocolate, cinnamon, and a hint of fresh ginger. Taste: Sweet ripe pears in syrup, vanilla caramel, cinnamon sweets, and almonds in the background. Finish: Beautifully rounded mouth feel, leading to a long, luxuriant sweet finish.