Which 12 Year Blended Scotch is the Best?
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
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I heard people pooh-poohing Chivas Regal for a very long time until I tried it... It was love at first taste for me. What a nice surprise! I would enjoy all three of your contestants, but favor the Chivas over the other two. Excellent fun vid, by the way!
Thanks foodquig
I'd take the Chivas over the Johnnie Walker Black any day. I haven't tried the Dewar's.
Got it as a birthday gift, I've just dabbled in scotch up to now. At first it didn't knock me out. After a few more tries it's grown on me. A good gateway to Speyside I would guess.
I've watched many of your reviews as I learn more about whisky, and I enjoyed nearly all of them, so please keep doing them! This 12-yr comparison of "widely available blended" is especially helpful to many people since nearly everyone has tried them and have curiosity what others think. Well done, and thank you! Btw, I like all three as well. 👍
Thanks Robert
Very good video. I agree the Dewar's is one of the best 12 Blends out there. I did a versus of it in spanish against the Chivas and picked the Dewar's. Cheers guys!
thanks Cultura del Whisky!
Yep, that Chivas 12 is an honest and reliable blended whisky, putting in the hard yards. I hadn't tried it until a few months ago, but when I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Seamlessly made, a touch of honey and spice, malty on the middle palate and a whiff of oak on the finish. It really does the job. Picked it up recently on a Christmas special for 20 euros - can't argue with that. Use it now as a palate primer to get an evening started. It's providing some real competition for the Tomatin Legacy, Copper Dog and the Speyburn 10. Good on you, Scot, for picking it as your fav. Cheers!
Thanks Russell. I myself have used this one now several times myself just as a sipper or a palate warmer upper! Scott
Went back into the archive and found this one. Thanks for doing a straight forward blind shoot out of some classic popular whisk(e)ys!
Roger that
Awesome blind test from 2017. Was super great! Thank you, Bart and Scott. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m a little surprised by the inability to pick out the black label. It’s very distinct and noticeably peaty.
agreed, should be able to!
Just discovered this video and really enjoyed it. I have been trying some blended Scotch looking for a less expensive daily pour. I started my scotch drinking with Chevas and will be comparing all three of these.
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely agree that blind testing is a fun way to improve your tasting. And it is very comforting that you guys - 300+ reviews in - can mess it up ;)
ha...more like when do we get it right...kind of. I (bart) do believe that everyones taste is very subjective. Best thing with us is you get two different opinions and someone may sink up more with one of us.
That is a good point :)
I just failed picking all three in a little blind tasting of my own. I can only conclude that I must train more ;)
do or do not, there is no try. master yoda
hi dummies. loved the Dewars. nose : marzipan, sherry, banana and dark fruit. Taste: honey, white pepper, liqourice and a lovely sweetnes. Has 10-15% malt. Great with or without water.
Great notes John. Wish I (bart) could have picked all that out.
Scotch Test Dummies just an idea , if your doing another 12 review, I would love your thoughts on J&B Jet. A blend of alot of malts. Check it out dummies. Slainte.....
I will gladly drink any of these! I personally like jw black best! I recently had a glass of Buchanan 12yr and it hit the spot on that night! Great video guys! Cheers 😀
thanks Ernest!
I thought that due to the slight smokyness of black label it would not be difficult to spot it blindfolded.
Have tasted Chivas and Deewars and they are damn close. But I agree to the one distinct green i nose which clearly indicates it has to be Chivas.
Hope you'd agree
It’s been a while since we filmed this one. I can say we don’t disagree.
I could totally live with these as my rotation.
nothing wrong with that!
This has been a good show, I would like to see more three head to head reviews.
thanks Freddie.
You all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an instagram account??
I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any help you can give me!
@Huxley Lian instablaster =)
Rocking the old 5.11, ate up. Great video, interesting and fun.
Thanks Hillbilly. It was good times
Great review guys! I cut my teeth on Cutty Sark, then moved up to Chivas Regal.
We love the journey/Quest/Trek
Just received my coin #224. Thanks! Guess I'll have to go get me a bottle of Chivas. Would be interesting to see a test on similarly priced blends vs single malts. I know I've seen chivas 18 for a little under $50 which puts it square in the decent entry level single malt range. Would love to see your opinion on how that compares vs macallan 12, glenfarclas 12, etc...
That sounds interesting Tim
Love reviews like this. All easily found and affordable
Thanks and fun to do at home as well. Blows up some pre-conceptions for sure
can't get enough of these shoot outs. keep them coming. Two Thumbs Up!
Thanks astral. You can see they teach us a lot as well
great blind tasting dummies, will add Hankey Bannister 12 year 40% it blow me away on its quality and character, cheers
That sounds interesting. I can see us doing another of these with some different blends
Interesting shootout. I have all three, so maybe I need to do the same blind tasting myself. Cheers!
Do itttttt
I saw Janet Reno drink Dewar's, her favorite, on a plane flight back in the 90's... I personally like JW Black, Chivas close behind, and Dewar's third. But, all of them are great, I wouldn't refuse any of them!
We agree with you Cook and great Reno story.
Have a tip for you (if available overthere) when it comes to a blend...……...try the Compass box Spice Tree, it is about 40 euro's overhere in The Netherlands!
Had it, love it and all things Compass Box!
The shootouts are fun to watch, congrats! ...(The regular Dewars 12 is different than the one you reviewed)
Really. We will have to look into that. How are they different. Bart picked out the bottles so he may have messed up.
There are two versions, one with a blue label and screw top 12 YO, and the one you reviewed with a cork and the name "the ancestor". I'm not sure if one replaced the other, but I see both on the shelfs in my area. I have not compared them side-by-side.... I'm not sure what the difference is in terms of maturation, etc.
beatiful test ! i have tried the dewars and i can say with confidence its amazing ,havent tried tho the JW black ,or the chivas ,but i look forward to getting a chivas one to test
Nice. Thank you
@@ScotchTestDummies actually did try it yesterday , it was slightly smokey , smooth ,kinda fruity and nutty , would love to have some cheeses to taste it with but unfortunately forgot to get some(also it tasted pretty good with some cola too)
@@ScotchTestDummies overall id give it a 8.2/10
You guys ever review non scotch whiskys? If so, you should try Suntory Toki. Its a blended whiskey from Japan, at a really good price point (approx. 40$ US in PA). Suntory is the company that owns Jim Beam, and Laphroaig once you get through the various subsidiary companies.
You bet. From Japan we have reviewed the Yamazaki 12 and 18, Iwai, and Hakusu. May have the spelling of that last one wrong. We will look for the Toki.
Awesome!
Some really lovely Japanese whiskies out there
Barely got into whiskeys about a month ago and gotta say ardbeg 10 is my favorite scotch already peat all the way
Awesome Lunch Box. I think I was sippin whisky for a couple years before the Peat became my thing.
Had the chivas last night for the first time and I really enjoyed it can't understand why it's bashed on so many sites guess it's popular to bash widely available whiskey....
Totally agree
Howdy buddies! Just subscribed) T'was very interesting and educational. My favourite outa the three is Chivas for its smoothness. Besr regards from Moscow, Russia!)
Thanks for the sub!
Tasted all three now, I love JWB so that's first, then Dewars 12, then Chivas. All three are quite good. If Dewars is on sale I will buy it ahead of JWB. I would think Chivas would taste markedly different from the other two but blind taste tests are funny.
blind tasting teaches us a lot!
@@ScotchTestDummies Just picked Dewars 12 over JWB, interesting. Had a third of a bottle of Dewars and bought a new JWB today. Both good but the Dewars bottle was going fast for a reason. How about they're both pretty good!
Maybe the smoke/peat was decreased because of the lower volume on the JW Black and that's why Bart missed on it. Good stuff, Dummies.
Maybe but I will take the hit on this one. They were all good blends but the flavors were subtler then I expected. Bart
Maybe i got a unicorn bottle, or maybe it has oxidized... But i swear i have a chivas that is super smokey and peaty on the nose, on the taste it starts with sweet malty-ness and finishs with a nice light peat smoke, its honestly so good I looked it up to see everyone's review of it abd no ones mentions the peaty/smokiness I'm getting... I even compared it to a laphroaig and although the laphroaig was a much darker, more medicinal nose/flavor, they were similar in some areas... God whisky is awesome.
i could see that happening. they could have had a batch that the peat started to show in after it was married with the other casks.
Great video guys. Great..!!! Kudos..!!!
Now I'd like to see a "Step up" comparison between the three. Chivas Extra, Dewars 15 and JW Double Black.
That sounds awesome!
I like the oak flavors of Dewar's over Chivas. I haven't tried JW Black yet but it's on my list.
We too get some very nice flavors
Thanks so much! I don't drink scotch but I would like to have something in the bar for guests. Watching this. Dewars 12. You had and left me at brine and jolly rancher LOL!
Thanks Amber...and if you have any whisky bar's in your area we could suggest a few samples to try that may open scotch up for you.
Thanks! I'm in Los Angeles so there are a few. I would love some suggestions! Thanks for your time.
This was fun and interesting. Chuckled a couple of times - since the pressure to be correct was somewhat evident. But, you guys have tried soooooo many different varieties I understand the difficulties. Me? I have maybe tried 12 different varieties and should have less difficulties; stands to reason. Good job. PS - Johnnie Walker folks, stiffer gauge caps please - the threads strip too darn easy.
Interesting. I have yet to strip a cap but I can see how that would happen.
I enjoyed your presentation.
This was really interesting! Great job guys. Excellent video
Thanks so much!
The main reason it's hard to differentiate among blended whiskies is, that the dominant influence is from the grain whiskies involved, not the malts. in other words, it could consist of 30% Malt A, 15% Malt B, 10% Malt C, and 45% Grain A. Because grain whiskies are far more similar than malt whiskies, the blends seem to have a more uniform (and consistent) taste.
Bingo Mark. Thank you
We influenced Bart quite well that evening
yes you did.
Which one is the best on Rocks?
Same score just chilled and watered down. We usually just do a single cube
Cool that you both got that brine note on jw
We are getting better and better
Great job Bart finding the slight hint of sherry in the Dewar's right off the bat. Been going through a Dewar's 15 and it took me a while to pick out the Aberfeldy in it, that's where the sherry is coming from. Cheers
good call and thanks Donner Pass!
Loving the showdowns.
thanks Timothy!
Haven't tried the Dewars, but would take JW Black over Chivas 12. Find the Chivas a bit too sweet.
Try a blind taste taste with all of them.
Great video gentlemen I graduated to the Dewar's too from JW.
That was a fun one
Bulleit orPikesville rye, which one. ???
Charles Nappo
Pikesville. Hands down
Pikesville
Anyone that thinks long term exposure to too much Scotch and other whiskeys is not detrimental to their health and perspicuity should watch this video. You too can become a 50 something Duffus. Cheers!
Just a couple of Dummies
I think Dewar's takes it
It is very good
I gotta try Chivas now! Good show, love that Bart has the shirt Love the Peat but he cannot pick it out of JWBlack and doesn't pick it lol
FAIL on bart
Scotch Test Dummies nah. no fail. I find the peat barely perceptible in JW Black. The Double Black is a different story. Lub me some Double Black
Interesting but not unexpected. At a club meeting a couple of years ago, we did a blind tasting (slightly different format as we did them consecutively and couldn't go back and forth like you did) and not one member picked out JW Black Label even though nearly everyone claims it's their daily go-to dram. Which confirms what I have believed for a long time: that we drink with our eyes as well as our noses and palates. The whisky industry knows this, and that's why they pay so much attention to the presentation of the bottle and the packaging. Johnnie Walker is arguably the best when it comes to presentation and advertising their products IMO.
Great points Frank. Bart agrees. This was very informative.
I thought a alien was going to come up with that. Chivas 18 is a good one worth looking out for.
Good idea
Dewars was the first Scotch I ever had I put way too much ice and water in it both my father and grandfather drank Chivas and swore it was the best. They both went heavy on the water and the ice If I would've known then what I know now I would have told them to try it neat. I just don't how someone could enjoy it if you put ice in it that destroys the taste?? Great video I will have to go back and try all of these neat.
Try them blind as well. Brings a whole different take
I am wondering how much it takes to break Bart's concentration? Another interesting and enjoyable review/shootout.
I (Bart) do pretty well but I will admit bikini's will do it.
Johnnie Walker. I have all three on my shelf.
nice, thanks Yo_isJoe
I like these blind tastings do more of them like for like
thanks!
I feel like JW Black is not as peated/smoky as it used to be.
could be.
Doesn't JW Black use Coal Ila to get its peaty taste? Would explain the maritime taste too. Sláinte
Where i live in California all three are between $22 to $25
nice prices.
1st video review: "I'm hooked".
thanks Solomon!
I wonder how Costco's Kirkland Signature 12 yr blend would fare in your blind tasting.
is it a blend?
@@ScotchTestDummies Yeah, they release a 12 yr old blended scotch whiskey under their store brand, Kirkland Signature.
Chivas 12 is great stuff
Tasty
Chivas is my fav blend, Buchanan's Deluxe is up there too. JW black is not so good in my opinion.
Our favorites have changed over time.
No matter what your taste, you can choose Dewar's or Chivas (my choice) as the best. But JW black is truly shit whisky. Any whisky expert would agree. Gentlemen super nice review to see.
The glass guy on the right side is not a dentist by any chance with a Mike Tyson tattoo under the cap?
No dentists here
Add water to each and see what emerges. A little rain makes Chivas truly bloom.
will do! thanks Ian!
Wow! After three Scotches, I think I’d be up for a 4th, 5th, 6th and never get a winner.
thats sometimes happens!
You needed some Ballantines 12 to round it out.
That would have been good too. We will do more of these type
I agree Ballantine's 12 or 17... LoL
Too funny! Good show! Shushing Bart like I do my wife, classic STD moment. Gotta keep up that winning chemistry! Velvet Elvis, Dummies!
Velvet Elvis Adam..now shush
Tried this with with 3 sherried whiskys last night, amazingly hard
Well done Ian. eyes wide open once you start trying them blind...hmm I like the sound of that. Bart
Haven't tried Dewars yet, I prefer Chivas over J W Black, Black is definitely peaty.
anybody that would drink either of these would love a tumbler of charcoal lighter.
Definitely if I get to start me BBQ
Hey Dummies!!! If Bart starts mentioning bananas around his his A it's time to run Scott. Fast.........
Like the Chivas and Dewar's still not a fan or JW Black.
thanks Jerry!
A blind test like yours...... something a lot of the "master tasters " wouldn't do I think we all know why 🙀
we agree!
The tragedy i find is that not even the johnnie walker double black( retail here 70$) doesn't even have a cork, so at 37 $ , i salute dewars .
Drinking several Japanese Whisky’s I’ve come to appreciate no cork. Nothing to dry out and break. The foam/paper seal in the cap is perfect. Bart
With the options at hand there, JW Black Label, then Dewars, and at the end Chivas.
But add Ballantine's 12 to the mix, the difference between Ballantine's Finest and Ballantine's 12 is vast, and the lineup from Ballantine's as blended scotches go, is in another ballpark all-together.
have not had the Ballantines, will have to try it.
6:30 for actual tasting. Why not both make ABC the same?
that way we don't influence each other with our notes, so if i said I liked A, Bart's A might be different than mine.
Understood. I just though it would be much easier to follow for the audience. Thx.
"Sorry that bottle broke" The Postmaster General
"Bart, you are fined $100" The Interruptmaster General
"Bart, that hat is too boring today" The Hatmaster Corporal
Sorry...I will work on the Hatmaster Corporal
Folks, got a good poker night whisky? How do you think Chivas 12 would hold up over a 5 hour period?
What might be fun for poker night is get all three like we did and set them out. See who drinks what and likes what...wonder which will get drunk the most.
Ok. Not a bad thought. I'm the only real whisky drinker in the circle. Mostly reluctant beginners. I brought arbelour 12 last time and sucked down half the bottle myself. I think I need to stick with one until I can convert them over do the dark side.
Entertaining!
thanks Ronald
I have enough money for one bottle of rye.
Pikesville by a mile from bart
Canadian Club %100 Rye
After 2-drams, thety all taste the same! ... GOOD!
Exactly!
Chivas Regal!!!
for da win!
Jesus, dummies, you cut 6 minutes out?!? I want my STDs full force!
Ps. A real cool comparison. I've seen Chivas 12 and JW Black compared before, but that Dewar's thrown in there was a good idea.
Pps. "Your A is tight." Oh yeah. Stick with the letters on these things, all right? Some jokes just never get old, am I right?!?
Bart agree's Art. We may need to do a Dummy Plus link after each show where we blather on a bit more. Scott and I would like to keep the shows a little shorter and I tend to go off on rabbit trails...that was 6 minutes of gold on the cutting room floor brother...GOLD
ArtMorte we need an unchillfiltered, cask strength dummies video. One shot, no edits, barrel proof....
Oh, gold, sure. Sure.
Anyway, not everyone may agree with me, but what keeps me a fan of the show is not the whiskies (I don't get most of them in Finland), it's you guys. I'm saying don't worry about the length. Have your wives not taught you this yet? Oh, never you mind, it's just entertaining to listen to you guys. Cheers.
Andrew... only one thing I'd correct in that message... videoS!
"Cask Strength" I love that idea Andrew...That should be the extended portion of the show.
Battery light was on my car. I took it to a mechanic pointed at the battery and yelled "Test It!!!
thats awesome! Best alternative use of the phrase so far!
lol!
Bart u are so cool u both are lol
Shhh-don’t say it out loud
you needs blended rubbish when there's Single malt available at the same price?
I have a fire pit and every once in a while I invite over the entire neighborhood...good time for several bottles of blend my friend...and maybe a touch or two of single malt.
Scotch Test Dummies Yep, no sense wasting good single malts on folks that won't appreciate it.
The guy on the right was already drunk at the start of the video.
probably.
That is easy to answer. Depends on your taste buds and your emotional well being. There is no “best”
We would agree. This is “our” best.
Should have added Ballentines 12 and J&B Jet to that.
those would have been good Christopher.
Second!
BOOM BOOM
18yo blended next?
Maybe a Glyngoyne Trio 12,15,18
18 year blends also sounds great
all 3 of these are crap and i would be offended if somebody served them as scotches at a nice get together.
now if we're just drinking because we are alcoholics.....then all 3 will do just fine.
now now sentryogmixmaster, plenty of people enjoy these. Granted i don't find myself going to any of them that often (just as a last resort)!
a rambling, go anywhere off the subject, too much time on their hands video.
You nailed us. We aren’t called the Dummies for nothin…and we’ve been at it for almost 9 years. Dummies
Every video should be blind from now on and guess which it is. Only changes are to do bourbons and rum and others. Maybe aim for 10-15 minutes. Nice to indicate the drinks on screen so ppl can tell what's going on
First, love the name! Second, thanks for tuning in! Love it.
Edit better too much irrelevant talk
Ahh, but that is us
First! 😉
BOOM
My A is tight like a barrel?.... 😂