The Chivas Brothers started as grocers in Aberdeen Scotland, then became purveyors of fine food stuffs and liquor, including rum, and starting in 1843, were given a Royal Warrant to supply Queen Victoria on her trips to Scotland. In the 1850’s, one of the famed Chivas brothers turned his attention to Scotch and developed a blended Scotch Whisky where softer grain Whiskys were blended with the aromatic but often harsher Single Malt Whiskys. Viola, a new category of spirit was born – the Blended Whisky.
In the years leading up to Prohibition, the Chivas Brothers concentrated on the American market, which could not get enough fine European spirits and wines, and launched Chivas Regal 25. Chivas was a blended Whisky that used 25 year old single malt Whiskys in the blend, and it became wildly popular. However, like many of its compatriots, Chivas Regal 25 disappeared during Prohibition and wasn’t to be seen again until 2007.
Following the end of Prohibition and World War II, Chivas Regal was legally relaunched in the United States. We say legally because we would bet that a fair share of Chivas Regal made it to the United States illegal during Prohibition. In 1950, Chivas Regal was relaunched by Seagrams, which had purchased the Chivas Brothers in 1949. Chivas Regal was relaunched as Chivas Regal 12 with a blend of grain Whisky and single malt Whiskys. Later, in 1997, Chivas Regal 18 was launched and joined by Chivas Regal 25 in 2007.
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch is golden in color in color with tawny highlights. On the nose, the Chivas Regal 12 has aromas of peach, apricot, honey, vanilla, caramel, salt and peach leaf. On the palate, the Chivas 12 year is smooth with notes of peach, apricot, honey, heather, smoke, peat, hazelnut and orange with floral and herbal undertones.
Try the Chivas Regal 12 Year on the rocks or in a Blood and Sand.