Charles Leclerc, F1 driver and Chivas’ Global Brand Ambassador, has collaborated with Chivas Regal to create a new travel retail exclusive whisky. The Chivas Regal 16 Years Old Charles Leclerc Edition saw him team up with Sandy Hyslop, the Master Blender for Chivas Regal. They have created the first ever 16 years old expression for the brand.
It features 16 whiskies, all aged for a minimum of 16 years, with an emphasis on ex-sherry cask maturation. The feature distillery is Longmorn in Speyside, which heavily influences many expressions of Chivas Regal. The number 16 has huge significance for Leclerc and is his F1 car racing number.
The whisky blending company Chivas Brothers was set up in the early 1800s by brothers James and John Chivas in Aberdeen. Like many now-famous whisky brands, they began as a grocery store. They blended tea, coffee, spices and spirits – brandy, rum, Port and whisky. Chivas Brothers’ whiskies became so popular in late Victorian times that Queen Victoria issued them with a Royal Warrant. From this the name of Chivas Regal was later born in 1909.
Chivas Brothers and the Chivas Regal brand is owned by Pernod Ricard, who purchased it in 2001. They helped grow the stature and sales of the whisky around the world. Chivas Regal is one of the biggest selling blended Scotch whiskies in the world, behind only Johnnie Walker and Ballantine’s (also owned by Pernod Ricard).
This new whisky was premiered in May at Miami international airport, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Other US and world airports have now followed. The limited edition is bottled at 40% ABV and will cost US$60/ £65. The exact number of bottles has not been revealed.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is rich, bold and packed with dried fruit aromas. Raisins, sultanas and dates rise first and are quickly joined by candied orange peel and fig. Caramel, toffee and milk chocolate are also evident, and sit alongside hints of cocoa powder, coffee grounds and black treacle. Further hints of malt, butter shortbread and elegant baking spices evolve too.
On the palate this whisky is creamy and buttery in texture. It possesses an elegant richness which is again dominated by dried fruits early on. There are plenty of chocolate coated raisin, plump sugary sultana and candied orange on show, supported by darker notes of dried fig and date, plus prune. The fruity characteristics are held together with notes of hard vanilla toffee and caramel, plus a hint of acacia honey.
A distinct maltiness underpins everything and adds considerable weight and structure. The cocoa powder and black treacle from the nose are again present but with a little more dominance. The buttery shortbread note is also a nice touch. This leads into an elegant set of warming spice that combines with some drying oak tannin for a lovely grip on the tastebuds. Think of cinnamon bark, powdered ginger, mace and a hint of clove.
The finish is long and becomes increasingly dry and spicy. The dried fruit and sweet caramel elements hold nicely before beginning to fade. This leave the gripping malt and gentle baking spices to shine. This adds a bittersweet quality and a pleasant warmth. The lingering oak tannin gives a late mouthwatering dryness. A hint of salted almond also appears right at the death.
What’s The Verdict?
A deliciosuly rich and vibrant blended Scotch from the House of Chivas. This feels decadent and luxurious beyond its years and price point. £65 for a whisky of such depth, complexity and quality seems a steal. The predominant ex-sherry cask maturation offers plenty of dried fruit and boldness, while the LOngmorn signature maltiness also shines through. Great work by Sandy and Charles. When is the next F1 race? We will be pouring a dram of this to watch it, that’s for sure.
