Buchanan's Master Review


“A Student Rather Than a Master”

Country: Scotland 
Brand: Buchanan's Master
Produced by: James Buchanan & Company, Glasgow
Type: Blended Whisky
Age: NAS (Said to be around 15 Years)
ABV: 40 %

Colour: Amber

Nose: Sweet with Orange, Mandarin, Dried Fruits, Nuts, Oak, Cereals, Toast, Straw, Heather, Toffee and hints of Peat, Smoke, Leather, Apple Vinegar, Dark Chocolate and Sherry. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. 

Palate: Slightly Thin and Sugary Sweet delivery with Cereals, Nuts, Dried Fruit, Cake, Toffee, light Vanilla, light Honey, Oak, Straw, Orange, Lemon, Pepper, Cloves, light Licorice and hints of Smoke and Black Coffee.   

Finish: Mainly Sweet and on the short side with Sugared Cereals, Nuts, Straw, Oak, Toast, Orange Marmalade, light Vanilla, light Honey, Licorice, Pepper, Cloves and hints of Peat and Dark Chocolate. 

With added Water the Nose gets more Cereals, Oak, Nuts, Chocolate and Mandarin. But Palate and Finish don't accept added Water very well. Better sip it Neat or take it on the Rocks.

Rating: 81

Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5


General Remarks: The Buchanan's Blend was established in 1884 by James Buchanan, one of the Scotch Whisky pioneers. Nowadays it's part of the Diageo Group. The Buchanan Brand Name is still very popular, a.o. in South America and Mexico. The Master is the personal creation of Keith Law, Buchanan's current Master Blender. At the heart of the Buchanan's Blend lies the Dalwhinny Single Malt from the Eastern Highlands. The NAS Master was launched in 2010 and is sold at an average 45 US Dollars. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Drinking Experience On the Rocks: Good

Conclusion: As far as price and quality are concerned, this Buchanan's Master ranks between the boring De Luxe 12 and the much better 18 Years. I find it a bit better than the 12 Years but not by much. It does not come close to the comfortable Leather Chair profile of the 18 Years. Therefore, in my opinion, the 18 Years is the True Master of the Buchanan Expressions while the Master in fact is a mere Student.

Jan van den Ende                                                                 July 10, 2014

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