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The most notable characteristic of Chivas Regal is that it is consistent. We do not mean that in a bad way, not at all. But they are definitely a high end blend and are, arguably, the largest aged Scotch blend in the world.
They got that way by maintaining a flavor profile consistently for generations of fans. You will find a medium-bodied Spirit with a texture that is almost universally called "creamy."
We get notes of brown butter and vanilla pudding with a hint of banana on the nose. Other flavors include raw walnut, a bit of pepper, and malt. It is rather well-balanced and we things that the finish is strong and lightly sweet to boot.
The Strathisla distillery is located in Keith—known as Banffshire prior to 1975—in the heart of Speyside roughly 60 miles from Aberdeen. Its twin pagoda roofs fit perfectly in the small, Scottish township.
The Strathisla distillery began life as the Milltown Distillery in 1786. Operating for over 230 years, what we now know as Strathisla has changed hands many times.
It has also endured its share of calamity: a devastating fire in 1876, a malt mill explosion in 1879, and an owner imprisoned for fraud in the 1940s, among others. Strathisla continues to operate today in spite of it all as part of the Pernod portfolio.
Strathisla operates four steam-heated stills, two of which weren't converted until the early '90s. Worthy of note amongst the various distillery equipment, are ten Oregon Pine washbacks.
The make isn't filled to casks on site. Rather, it's transported via pipes to a neighboring distillery, Glen Keith, one of three major single malt producers in the town.