Chivas Regal XV Scotch Review

By Emma Briones

Rating: B

Chivas Regal is slowly introducing some new whiskies that, until some time ago, were only available in the Travel Retail market. One of them being the new Chivas Regal XV.

According to Pernod Ricard, the owner of Chivas, the new Chivas Regal XV was born for those celebration moments. This is why you might find this bottle in two different editions, and one of them is completely golden. For Pernod Ricard, the new Chivas Regal XV is also a “disruption in the Scotch category, born to challenge conventions.”

All these words are their way to say that they are trying new things to get to a more modern consumer (a pitch to Millennials, maybe?). And you know they are more focused on the marketing than the product when they promote a great range of serves for the new Chivas Regal XV: from shots to cocktails.

Anyway, ageing or finishing whisky in cognac barrels is not new nor disruptive. The limousin oak barrels that are used in cognac production are getting more the attention of some whisky producers now, and it is not mainstream (yet), but it’s not entirely new either.

Chivas Regal XV is a Chivas blend that has aged, at least, for 15 years. The whisky has been finished in Grande Champagne cognac barrels to reinterpret the traditional Chivas Regal style. It is bottled at 40% abv (80º proof).

The Scotch
On the glass, Chivas Regal has a coppery tone, probably due to added color. It has long tears.

On the nose, it is a classic Chivas Regal, light and sweet. Some oak and barley notes blend with a fruity touch. There are some orange marmalade notes, accompanied by peach and sultanas fragrances.

Chivas Regal XV is light on the palate, with some toasted notes. It starts really sweet, with caramel, butter cookies and a touch of grain. It is followed by red apple notes, giving it a fruitier side. The finish is quite short and sweet, with a light spicy touch.

From the latest releases by Chivas Regal, this new Chivas Regal XV is, for me, the most interesting. Using the cognac barrel has an effect and a great influence on the whisky, giving the brand’s profile a new twist.

This is a whisky that will surely be interesting for those Chivas fans out there and for those who are just starting on the whisky world. It will be a great dessert after a nice family meal. It really is a nice whisky, though for me, like with Chivas Regal Mizunara, there is something missing.

The Price
Chivas Regal XV seats between Chivas Regal Extra and Chivas Regal Mizunara in the basic range. In Europe, it is retailed around €45 and you will find it at £45 in the UK.