Chivas XV has arrived
Chivas Regal has been distilling Scotch since 1801, making their impressive whisky collection a recognizable brand on liquor store shelves and behind bars for years. Still, the distilling powerhouse continues to produce new whiskies, making itself a company worth keeping an eye on. One of their newest creations is the Chivas Regal XV, released in 2018 and only recently available in America. This caramel-hued concoction boasts to be perfect for the “golden hour” and celebrations—according to their website. So you know I had to try it!
What is Scotch?
I could talk whiskey and whisky all day, but I won’t (at least not till I finish my next glass of Chivas XV). In the simplest terms: Scotch is a type of whisky with a mashbill of water, malted barley, and yeast—and yes, it must be made in Scotland. (This is why Japanese whisky is not called Scotch despite being often made in the style of Scotch with peat, barley, and yeast sourced from Scotland and paired with the impeccable, mineral-rich water of Japan.)
Five regions in Scotland distill Scotch. They are Speyside, Lowland, Highland, Campbeltown, and Islay. Each region produces whisky that is impacted by the unique terroir of the area, making Scotch even more fun to taste. Chivas Regal distills out of the Speyside region, which is known for being fruit-forward and less peaty. (Peat is decomposed and partially carbonized vegetable tissue, commonly found in bogs. It is dried and burned in the process of Scotch to smoke the malted barley. Hence the distinct and unique taste of Scotch.)
Learn more about whiskies in my book, Drink Like a Bartender.
What is Chivas XV?
Chivas XV is a Scotch whisky from the Chivas Regal family. It starts its journey like all other 15-year-old Chivas Scotches do: aging. Once the whisky has been aged for 15 years old in oak casks, the best of the selection is tasted by the master distiller and blended together before being aged once again in Cognac casks. Okay great, so what does the process of resting a Scotch in a cognac cask actually do? I’m glad you asked!
What is Cognac?
Cognac is technically a type of brandy, which is a spirit distilled from grapes. Several things differentiate Cognac from other brandies. First, it comes from the Cognac region of France. (Yes, just like how all Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France.) Cognac is usually distilled from the Ugni Blanc grape and must be fermented and distilled twice before it’s aged. The aging process, just as with whiskies and aged tequilas, is what gives the Cognac its caramel color.
Cognac tasting notes vary, but you can count on them being sweet and complex, with fruity notes and even hints of spice. Resting any spirit in a cask that was the former home of Cognac will result in the spirit infusing with the flavors that were absorbed by the cask. Chivas Regal does not reveal which Cognac has been aged in the casks they rest their Chivas XV in—however, upon tasting this Scotch, I can certainly taste the lovely sweet Cognac influences.
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Chivas XV tasting notes
The nose is light with tobacco and hints of peach, the peat presenting itself at the end. The palate is a salty caramel, with more juicy stone fruit flavors, and vegetal, smoky peat once again—but slightly more prominent than it was on the nose. At the end, there’s a small bite of white peppercorn spice and that flavor lingers on the palate alongside peat. Like most Speysides, the peat takes the backseat to the other flavors in this whisky.
While this is a complex and interesting Scotch, it is also very subtle and light. It doesn’t ruin your palate with something overly spicy, peaty, or fruity. Rather, it challenges you to dissect what you’re tasting and go back for another sip.
Since it’s light-bodied, I do not recommend enjoying this with a cube of ice. If you do want to add water, I recommend starting with one drop. This is by no means a hot whisky, due to the mellowing impacts of its age and time spent in a Cognac cask. In my opinion, it should be enjoyed neat.
Do I recommend this Scotch?
If you’re looking for a gift for a Scotch drinker this holiday season around the $50 range, I do recommend this whisky. I have found in my more than a decade of bartending that the two most brand-loyal drinkers are those who drink vodka and Scotch. So if you’re looking for a Scotch for someone who only drinks one Scotch, don’t waste your money—get them that Scotch, not this. If you’re shopping for someone who loves a Speyside, this will not disappoint. If you’re looking for something peaty, it will disappoint.
However, if you or your gift-receiver (lucky them!) loves complex flavors, trying new whiskies, or even enjoys a Cognac here and there, I would 100% recommend this delightful, surprising, complex Scotch.
Welcome to America, Chivas XV!
