Chivas Regal 12-year-old
100cl / 40%
£85.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
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The iconic post-Prohibition 12-year-old blend, globally renowned for its consistency, smooth flavour, and Strathisla single malt backbone.
At-a-Glance:
| Field | Details |
| Distillery | Strathisla (core malt component) |
| Bottler | Chivas Brothers |
| Country & Region | Scotland |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky |
| Age | 12 Year Old |
| Vintage | Not stated by the producer |
| Bottled | Ongoing (1990s edition examined) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% / 70cl, 75cl, 100cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Matured in a combination of American and European oak casks |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer (Assumed E150a used) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer (Assumed chill-filtered) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Mass-market global bestseller) |
| Intended channel | General Release |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle. |
| Notes on discrepancies | None found on core specifications; 40% ABV is the global standard strength. |
Historical Context
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old is perhaps the most universally recognised blended Scotch whisky in the world, having established itself as a global luxury standard in the 20th century. The Chivas Regal brand was officially introduced after the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, when Chivas Brothers launched the 12 Year Old expression, quickly becoming an international bestseller and a symbol of refined taste. The founding of the Chivas legacy dates back to the Chivas brothers' grocery and fine spirits store established in Aberdeen in 1801.
The liquid's identity is inextricably linked to the Strathisla Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands, which was founded in 1786. The single malt produced at Strathisla is the "heart and soul" of the Chivas blend, ensuring a consistent, smooth, and distinctively fruity flavour profile across every batch. The consistency and ubiquity of the 12 Year Old formulation are a testament to the master blenders' craft. The brand was acquired by Seagram, who owned the Strathisla distillery, and then became part of Pernod Ricard in 2001.
This bottling from the 1990s onwards represents the blend during a period of its global dominance. While many historical Chivas blends were bottled at a higher 43% ABV (75 Proof), this 40% version is the international standard, valued today for its consistency and accessibility.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The Chivas Regal 12 Year Old is highly standardised, with primary variants relating to bottle volume for different markets.
2.1 Documented variants:
- 40% ABV/70cl and 75cl are the standard domestic and international sizes.
- 40% ABV/100cl (1 Litre) is the common Travel Retail format, which is the preferred high-volume target for consumers.
- The liquid is a blend of malt and grain whiskies, matured in a combination of American and European oak casks.
Variant Matrix:
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 70cl / 75cl | General Release | 12 Year Old age statement | Core commodity (High availability) |
| 40% | 100cl (1 Litre) | Travel Retail | 12 Year Old age statement | Moderate (Higher volume for the same price) |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:
The bottle features the signature Chivas Regal crest and branding. The age statement of 12 years and the strength of 40% ABV are clearly labelled. The packaging is standardised. Authentication relies on verifying the standard label text and ensuring the seal is intact. Bottles from the 1990s-2000s may have slight differences in the label texture and colouration compared to the current edition.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:
The liquid is legally defined as Blended Scotch Whisky. The 12 Year Old age statement confirms the youngest whisky component is a minimum of 12 years old. Whether the liquid is chill-filtered or features added caramel colouring is not stated by the producer, though it is standard practice for high-volume, mainstream blended Scotch at 40% ABV.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is balanced, smooth, and defined by sweet fruit, honey, and light spice.
Nose: A creamy, aromatic melange of vanilla custard, hints of aniseed, lemon curd, and butter toffee. Wood shavings and dried banana chips develop with just a hint of cassis. Aromas of ripe apple, heather, and orchard fruits are also noted.
Palate: More of those banana chips showing through on the palate, this time there is a creamy hit of barley malt too, pepped up with a little allspice. Notes of ground walnut and caramel. The palate is smooth and velvety, with rich honeyed apples, vanilla, and butterscotch.
Finish: Light spice and black pepper on the tail. Lingering notes of cereal sweetness. The finish is light, fast, and sharp.
With water: Not applicable at 40% ABV.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Chivas Regal is the flagship blend of Chivas Brothers, which is owned by Pernod Ricard. Its identity is forged by the Strathisla Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands, which supplies the central malt component. The house style is consistent, smooth, and refined, balancing sweet malt, vanilla, and fruit.
Sourcing
- Target formats/eras to prefer: The 1 Litre (100cl) bottle offers the best value per volume for the consumer.
- Red flags to avoid: Avoid bottles with non-standard labelling or signs of tampering; low price at auction is normal.
- Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Standard fill level expected. Original packaging is a bonus but not necessary for the liquid's core value.
- Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: High velocity expected. Margin is negligible at retail price but can be moderate if purchased at the low auction floor price (circa 20.00 GBP).
