Country: Scotland
Brand: Buchanan's Special Reserve
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 40%
Colour: Deep Amber
Nose: Balanced Nose with Grains, Oak, Toffee/Caramel, Nuts, Peat, Vanilla, Plums, Leather, Orange Zest and hints of Tobacco and Mango. Only mild Spices, mainly Nutmeg.
Taste: A pleasant though not extremely exciting combination of Orange, Oak, Lemon, Peat, Toast, Leather, Nuts, Spices, Caramel and strong black Coffee.
Finish: Sweet Fruit at first (Ripe Banana) but quickly becoming dry with Vanilla, Pepper, Leather, Oak, Peat, Nuts and English Breakfast Marmalade (Orange).
I added a few drops of Water and you get a more Maltier Nose. Peat, Fruit and Leather are also enhanced and I notice a touch of Honey. Palate and Finish don't show important improvements. Still, there is some room to experiment with a couple of drops of Water.
Rating: 84.5
Nose: 21.5- Taste: 21 - Finish: 21- Overall: 21
General Remarks:
The Buchanan's Blend is now owned by the Diageo Group and is very popular in Mexico, South America and with the Hispanic population in the USA. The Blend was originally introduced by James Buchanan, originally a grain trader who was born in Canada as a son of Scottish immigrants but moved to the UK at a very young age and started James Buchanan & Co in 1884. The Highland distillery Dalwhinnie is one of the important components of this Blend.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion:
A comfortable and well-balanced Blend without any off-notes. The Oak is there but does not control the flavor profile despite the 18 years. It's a dram for English Lords to be savoured in leather arm chairs in a private club that did not change over the last century. I think you get the picture. Not exciting enough for Rugby Fans, New York Stock Exchange Traders and nervous Investment Bankers. But well-made and a good step up from the rather boring Buchanan's 12 Years.
Jan van den Ende October 21, 2012
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