The Scotch whisky brand of Chivas Regal has launched a groundbreaking new clear spirit drink – Chivas Regal Crystal Gold. The drink is a technological breakthrough for the brand that has taken several years to develop. This included creating a bespoke carbon filtration system to remove colour from an oak-aged blend of Scotch single malt and single grain whiskies. The result is a colourless and ultra-smooth liquid that retains the rich depth of the Chivas Regal house style, while offering the versatility and mixability of a clear spirit.
Crystal Gold has been created by Sandy Hyslop, the Master Blender for Chivas Regal, who developed a bespoke blend for the new drink. This was then refined through a pioneering process involving special temperature conditions and precisely measured flow rates. Each parameter was carefully calibrated through extensive experimentation, introducing an entirely new approach to Chivas Regal’s blending and filtration technique.
The whisky blending company Chivas Brothers was set up in the early 1800s by James and John Chivas in Aberdeen. Like many other 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 born.
Chivas Brothers and the Chivas Regal brand is owned by Pernod Ricard, who purchased it in 2001. They have 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).
Chivas Regal Crystal Gold is bottled at 40% ABV and is available now in travel retail stores in selected world markets. The launch is supported by a global consumer marketing campaign led by Chivas Regal global brand ambassador and Formula One driver Charles Leclerc. A bottle will cost £50.
Our Tasting Notes
The spirit drink is clear and the nose is bright, fruity and uplifting. Early aromas are of green apple, peardrop sweets and butterscotch. These are followed by vanilla fudge, fresh buttery shortbread and distinct biscuity malt. The combination is reminscent of apple tart or apple crumble pudding. Hints of toffee, ripe tropical fruit, fresh gingerbread and white pepper sit underneath.
On the palate this spirit drink is creamy, sweet and fruity. The apple pie or crumble note remains but it is joined by further fruit – think of red apple, fresh fig, sweet pear, black grapes and blood orange zest. The malted biscuity note is also never far away and gives a bittersweet creamy vibe. There is also some vanilla patisserie custard on show and a pinch of icing sugar. Later, further notes of golden syrup, freshly baked gingerbread and hints of white pepper and earthy spice come through nicely to add extra depth and complexity. A hint of banoffee pie is also evident.
The finish is relatively short and a touch peppery and hot. This is especially true once the fruity and sweet characteristics begin to fade a little. The spices build and add a nice warming tone. The peppery heat accentuates this and gives the spirit drink a mouth watering quality. Delicious.
What’s The Verdict?
This is an interesting and innovative product. It will be interesting to see how popular it becomes and if it begins a new whisky trend for clear spirit drinks. At the launch event in London the reasons for Crystal Gold’s development were explained – a shift in the industry, a change in consumer trends, the decline of brown spirits versus the rise in white spirits and to showcase that it could be done.
The important part here is that this is not a blend of new makes but a traditional blend with the colour removed. We were told the components range from three to 12 years of age. This plays a huge factor in the maintenance of flavour, texture and the Chivas Regal DNA.The drink has clearly been developed with certain markets in mind and for the bar and mixology world. It seems a huge gamble by the brand but it may be one that pays off. Only time will tell.
