Chivas Regal the 18 year old Gold Signature is a rich and hearty blended scotch that is great for sipping over ice. At amazing price around $50 per bottle, it’s a decent price for premium whisky.
Chivas Regal is a master brand of blended Scotch whiskeys produced by Chivas Brothers, in property of Pernod Ricard. Chivas Brothers was first founded in the year 1801.
The Chivas Regal brand’s home is Strathisla Distillery at Keith, Moray in Speyside, somewhere in Scotland.
This is one of the oldest operating Highland distillery which was established in the year 1786.
Chivas brand is world known for a series of master blended Scotch whiskies ranging from a 12 year old to an amazing 25 year old whiskeys.
It is the middle of the range, the 18 year old Gold Signature, that is most likely the world known and most popular and reasonably priced for a Scotch that will impress your taste buds and any friends you may have over for an evening gatherings.
Beyond the normal tasting of the Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold Signature Scotch, I was asked to compare it to another blended whiskey, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label which sells for three times the price.
Chivas Regal Vs Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The profiles of the two Scotches are completely different – with Chivas being “bolder, sweeter, and with notes of charcoal” and Johnnie Walker Blue being “oakier, softer, and with notes of hay” – and I think which is better is subjective to individual taste.
Personally I enjoy a very bold Scotch most of the time so my preference would lean toward Chivas, though I really enjoy Johnnie Walker Blue it can be too light for me, especially when the ice melts.
It would depend on what mood I’m in at the moment as to which I choose – I see Chivas being a year round Scotch and Johnnie Walker Blue a summer Scotch. I also did a comparison with Johnnie Walker Black and that is a closer match to Chivas 18 in terms of that bold side of scotch – again, I’m preferring Chivas though.
Yet another consideration is the price. There is an appreciation for Scotches at the over $100 price point, but for the average person it is a luxury.
So it was interesting to put two at the ends of the premium spectrum together to find out what you’re really missing if you don’t spend that extra $100.
Beyond a subtle smoothness found in the Johnnie Walker and a completely different flavor profile, the money is well spent either way. Again, Scotch, and whiskey in general, are so subjective to taste that each person should follow their own preferences.
Tasting Notes Of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Gold is a rich amber color, that of red wheat, and it opens with the aroma of sweet citrus, apple and a slight amount of oak. The velvet palate is filled with caramel and peat with warm, burnt orange notes.
It finishes very dry and slightly spicy with a satisfying smoke at the back.