Scotch Whisky Review #199: Chivas Brothers “The Century of Malts”

Distillery: Blend of 100 single malts from 100 different distilleries. These are: Aberfeldy, Aberlour, Allt a ‘Bhainne, Ardbeg, Auchentoshan, Auchroisk, Aultmore, Balblair, Balmenach, Balvenie, Banff, Ben Nevis, Benriach, Benrinnes, Benromach, Blair Athol, Bowmore, (Royal) Brackla, Braeval, Brechin, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Caperdonich, Clynelish, Convalmore, Cragganmore, Craigduff, Craigellechie, Dailuaine, Dallas Dhu, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Deanston, Dufftown, Fettercairn, Glen Albyn, Glenallachie, Glenburgie, Glencadam, Glen Craig, Glen Elgin, Glen Esk, Glenfarcles, Glenfiddich, Glengarioch, Glenglassaugh, Glen Grant, Glengoyne, Glenisla, Glen Keith, Glenkinchie, The Glenlivet, Glenlochy, Glenlossie, Glen Mhor, Glen Moray, Glenrothes, Glen Scotia, Glen Spey, Glentauchers, Glenturret, Glenugie, Glenury Royal, Highland Park, Imperial, Inchgower, Inchmurrin, Inverleven, Isle of Jura, Kinclaith, Knockando, Ladyburn, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Linkwood, Littlemill, Longmorn, Macallan, Macduff, Mannochmore, Miltonduff, Mortloch, Mosstowie, Ord, Pittyvaich, Pulteney, Rhosdhu, Scapa, Speyburn, Springbank, Strathisla, Strathmill, Tamdhu, Tamnavulin, Teaninich, Tomatin, Tomintoul, Tormore and Tullibardine.

Region: Blend

ABV: 40%

Age: NAS.

Color: 1.1, Burnished.

Nose: (according to the wife) Lemon is the main note, but it’s not a fresh lemon. It’s more of the lemon scent from an air freshener. There’s a tad bit of menthol and some honey as well.

Palate: There isn’t a whole lot going on. There’s a note of green apple that stands out. It’s joined every now and again by a bit of cocoa. There’s a lot of malt throughout.

Finish: Short. Honeyed lemon tea is there for a second before it’s gone.

Conclusion: Made from by blending 100 different single malts, this special release from Chivas released in 1995. I have to say, this is an incredibly interesting idea. It contains whiskies from distilleries that have since gone silent and is a little bit of a window to the past. Unfortunately, the whisky itself is pretty bland and unexciting. The nose is straightforward, the palate is even more so. In reality, it’s just a mostly flavorless, easy drinking whisky. I had originally earmarked this to be my 200th review of Scotch, but after tasting it, have had to change my plans a tad. It’s not bad, but it does not live up anywhere near the intrigue.

Final Score: 71.

Scotch Whisky Review #199, Blended Malt Review #10, Whisky Network Review #277

Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky.
• 85-89: Amazing, will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection (if feasible).
• 80-84: Very Good, maybe only one minor nitpick about the whisky keeping it here.
• 75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink.
• 70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.