Chivas Regal Extra Review: 'Really Really Sweet'

While one whisky might sit untouched in the cabinet for a special occasion, another can be heartily enjoyed after a long day's work or even be given as a gift to a budding whisky aficionado. In this latter category, sits the whisky from the Chivas Brothers. Discover all there is to know in this Chivas Regal Extra Review.

The Chivas Brothers know a thing or two about crafting an excellent whisky. With their Chivas Regal, they've created a delightful whisky available in varying ages. The Chivas Regal Extra takes things a notch higher. It is essentially a blend of Chivas Regal 12, 18, and 25 Years, which aptly bears the title 'Extra'. These themselves were blends that have now been assembled into a new blend. This combination exclusively matured in first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks, adding a whole new flavor profile to the spirit.

Chivas Regal Extra may be a blend of blends, but it exudes an incredibly refined aroma and taste. First, the spirit teases your nostrils with sweet inviting notes of fruit and nuts, accentuated by a hint of oak from the Oloroso casks. It makes you feel as though you're reclining leisurely with your Sunday newspaper at the breakfast table, while the sweet pastries are already wafting from the oven. The first sip delivers exactly what you expect: a delightful sweet balance of vanilla, caramel, and fruit with a hint of spice.

Subsequently, Chivas Regal Extra goes the extra mile. How? By letting you bid farewell to the sweet taste with a medium-long, smooth finish. It's almost as if concerns are melting away on your tongue when this elixir glides over your taste buds. It's a feeling everyone deserves, although the sweetness could eventually feel somewhat overpowering.

The Chivas Regal Extra is a whisky you can gift someone without a second thought. In fact, it can even be given as it is, without gift wrap, because the Scotch blend itself comes in a sleek and handsome packaging. It's not overly ornate, but a neat box in an almost perfect dark red color for a gift. Just add a bow, and voila! Granted, it doesn't have designer packaging that contemporary premium whiskies often come with.

The bottle itself isn't particularly distinctive and beside the emblem-shaped label and the embossed Chivas Brothers logo, it is the amber-hued liquor that steals the show. The cap is made of plastic and sports a golden hue, just like the ring around the logo. It exudes luxury, but the price doesn't reflect that. The cost is remarkably reasonable for this Scottish blend. For an amount between 40 and 50 euros, you can have a bottle filled with a liter of this unique elixir.

With Chivas Regal, the Chivas Brothers have bottled a timeless whisky. Not only because it doesn't carry an age statement, but also because the whisky is so accessible that it lends itself to be enjoyed at any time. For whisky novices, it's an elixir worth trying, and even the seasoned whisky enthusiast will find it delightful. It's a bit like that candy in the candy store you keep coming back to. However, the sweet taste might not always be the best fit as it is the dominant flavor profile in this Chivas.

+ Incredibly affordable blended whisky
+ Very balanced
+ Suitable for every occasion
- Perhaps a bit too sweet for some