Chivas Regal
The Scottish blend with Strathisla at its heart, from the 12 Years to the 25. Everything about the taste, the types, how to drink it and the glass that goes with it.
A blend with Strathisla at its heart
Chivas Regal is a blended Scotch whisky from Chivas Brothers, which began as a grocery shop in Aberdeen in 1801. The brothers James and John Chivas blended whiskies for their customers and supplied Queen Victoria. In 1909, the first Chivas Regal came onto the market, a 25-year-old blend for the American market. The 12 Years followed in 1939 and became the best known.
At the heart of every Chivas Regal is Strathisla, the oldest still-operating distillery in the Highlands, in Keith in Speyside. Around it come dozens of malt and grain whiskies. The result is smooth, rounded and fruity: honey, apple and vanilla. Chivas Regal is part of Pernod Ricard and is one of the best-selling Scotch whiskies in the world.
In brief
What types of Chivas Regal are there?
The number on the bottle is the age of the youngest whisky in the blend. The older it is, the smoother and richer it is.
Chivas Regal 12 Years
The classic and entry-level expression: smooth, rounded and fruity, with honey and apple. Neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail.
Chivas Regal XV
Fifteen years old, partially finished in cognac casks from Grande Champagne. Sweeter and richer, with raisins and cinnamon.
Chivas Regal 18 Years
A blend of 85 flavor notes, as the brand puts it: dried fruit, dark chocolate and a long, warm finish.
Chivas Regal Extra 13
Thirteen years old with a finish in oloroso sherry casks. Richer and sweeter than the 12, with dried fruit and spices.
Chivas Regal Mizunara
Partly matured in Japanese mizunara oak, developed for the Japanese market. Smooth, fruity and lightly spicy.
Chivas Regal 25 Years
A modern version of the very first Chivas Regal from 1909. Deep, smooth and luxurious, with orange, peach and nuts.
The 12 Years is the best buy; the 18 Years makes the finest gift.
Soft, round and fruity
Honey & apple
Ripe apple, honey and vanilla, with a hint of hazelnut and spices. No smoke.
Soft and creamy
Round and silky smooth, with honey, caramel and light fruit. Typical Speyside: mellow and approachable.
Warm and medium-length
A warm, lightly spicy finish of vanilla and oak. Longer and deeper in the 18.
Flavor profile of Chivas Regal 12 Years. The XV and 18 are richer and sweeter, while the Extra 13 has more sherry influence.
Three ways to drink Chivas Regal
Chivas is a blend that can do it all: neat, on the rocks or in a simple highball. The older bottles deserve a tasting glass and no ice.
On the rocks
Pour 50 ml Chivas 12 into a tumbler over one large ice cube. The ice softens and opens up the whisky without diluting it too quickly. The classic way.
Glass: tumbler →Chivas highball
50 ml Chivas with 150 ml soda water or ginger ale in a long drink glass filled with ice, with an orange zest. Light, refreshing and the way Chivas is enjoyed in Asia.
Highball recipe →Neat, in a tasting glass
For the XV, 18 or 25: 30 ml in a tulip-shaped tasting glass at room temperature, without ice. Swirl, smell and take small sips. A drop of water is fine.
Glass: tasting glass →The best cocktails with Chivas Regal
Whiskey Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar and egg white. Beautifully balanced with a smooth blend like Chivas 12.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters over a large ice cube. Chivas's honey notes fit perfectly.
Rusty Nail
Scotch and Drambuie over ice. Two Scots in one glass, sweet and warm.
Whisky cocktails
All cocktails with whisky in one overview, from Manhattan to Penicillin.The right glass for Chivas Regal
A heavy tumbler for serving on the rocks and for an Old Fashioned, a long drink glass for a highball and a tasting glass for older bottles. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Chivas Regal
Is your question not listed? Check out our cocktail recipes or contact us.
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