Being in a bar with guys half my age can be fun at times, I also found it could be depressing. It brings me back to an time when I was young and foolish. I'm not sure that being old, fat and foolish is any better but a good time with these youngsters I had, for a while.

After starting with shots I was able to slow down the swaggering and self-glorifying group and convince them not to count how many shots they could down but to appreciate the subtle nuances that define the differences between poor Scotch Whiskeys, good Scotch Whiskey and great Scotch Whiskeys. They were comfortable just takin' shots but, whether it was the one sane/sober speck still in their brains at the time or the convincing words of the fatherly figure who wanted to take them under wing, they did slow down and start drinking the Scotch gingerly. Some had it neat and the others followed my example of Scotch slowly poured over cracked ice in a low ball glass.

Chivas Regal, the Bottle

That night we tried Johnnie Walker Red, Johnie Walker Black Label, Pinch and the object of this review Chivas Regal. If I had to rate by the shape of the bottle I would go to the rounded squat and classy style of Chivas Regal slightly over Pinch and well above the plain rectangular bottles of the Walkers. The distinct label, shape of the bottle, colour of the contents (a gorgeous golden yellow)and that royal name makes this a marketers dream. There is definitely a snob factor when standing around the bottle with its contents in small glasses in one's hands. I believe this feeling infested the guys after consuming three other Scotch drinks in the previous ten minutes.

Chivas Regal, a Touch of History

The bottle has the raised words established 1801 on it. Wow!! That's not one hundred but two hundred years ago. Now that's history. Two brothers started the company. Both, coincidentally, shared the same last name and that name is also the name of the product, Chivas. Well, they weren't "Regal" just yet. That blend came years later. All the same, James and John, they must have had Christian parents, did want to blend the smoothest Scotch in town.

They are now world renowned and considered by many as the top shelf item in many bars. This is made to enjoy on its own and not to be mixed. Well, a few drops of water is just fine.

Chivas Regal, The Experience

So with the guys we all had the Chivas poured into tumblers. That's when the refined pops explained and defined Scotch to these barely legal age guys. Now you have to understand, though pops has years over these youngun's I was with, he still doesn't know Scotch from squat. Never-the-less we went through the process, with a little help from the bartender.

The nose was a mix of perfume and nail polish remover. Not really impressive to me. When I had my first taste, even though I had a couple of other brand Scotch Whiskey's shortly before, this one burned. It had a much stronger alcohol taste. The perfumy/flowery aroma transferred to taste with an additional element of dryness to the overall palate. The alcohol bite continued through the swallow.

Perhaps I was enjoying my previous drink, a Johnnie Walker Black, much to long and the comparison of a freshly poured drink to one that had time to melt the ice a bit allowing more flavour of the Scotch to escape, was the problem.

The fact is, I didn't like the Chivas. It was an alcohol experience of burning and bite. NOW!! let me tell you, the kids loved it stating, "This stuff is the real deal!" Perhaps it was the strong bite that made them feel this blended 40% alcohol by volume (80 Proof) Scotch Whiskey was the best as the accolades for the Chivas were overwhelming. They all then asked for a shot of the golden liquid and downed another, all acting like a bunch of...never mind. I really couldn't relate. In one way I missed the carefree asinine attitude they exuded but... the ol' guy simply sipped his original Chivas Regal wishing it was the Johnnie Walker Black Label he had previously consumed. At that moment he felt like he lived in a different world and wanted to quickly and quietly transfer himself back home, in front of his fireplace, playing Scrabble with his wife while listening to soft music.

All in all I would not spend my money on Chivas Regal. The price is to dear at nearly $30 a bottle and the overall experience was too depressing. I will note that as the ice melted, the taste did improve a bit. As they started on another round I quietly slipped off.

If I could afford it I might mix it and make my favorite Sweet-Rob-Roy with the stuff and spend the evening home thinking of some good words to make out of my letters in the game of Scrabble.

Mmm,walker could earn some good points on the right squares.

Puns intended


Johnnie Walker Red
Johnnie Walker Black
Dewar's White Label, Blended Scotch Whisky

Recommended: No

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