I have not been much of a Whisky drinker – I love my vodka! But recently at few parties and events, I tried out Black Dog either on the rocks or with coke and found it to be very smooth drink and it didn’t give me a hangover like vodka does or make me feel dehydrated! So it was wonderful when GingerClaps gave me a bottle of Black Dog to review courtesy Black Dog Easy Evenings! I jumped at the opportunity to review this wonderful Scotch Whisky which has origins both in India and Scotland.. Wondering how? Read on to find out!
Black Dog is a 100% genuine Scotch Whisky distilled, matured and blended in Scotland. When it is sold in India, the blend is made in Scotland and is bottled in India. Black Dog has a very distinctive taste and flavor. This classy whisky is available in 4 exciting blends – 8 Year Old, 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and 21 Year Old. The bottle does come nicely wrapped up and looks good too. Once you open it up you are greeted with an unmistakable hallmark smell! Cost of a 12 Year Old bottle is about Rs.1800 in Bangalore but it could be quite cheaper in Goa and Pondicherry! For a 30 ml peg in reputed bars and restaurants you might have to shell out upto Rs.400.
The history of Black Dog dates back to late 1883 when Walter Millard (a Scottish national residing in India) who was a wine connoisseur went back to his native land in a quest for a sophisticated Scotch. His quest finally got over when he tried a blend prepared by James McKinley (He had a long lineage of Scotch blending too). Walter named this blend as Black Dog and thus the brand was born! Even to this date with a decent history of more than 129 Years, the blend is still serving people as it did way back in 1883! The legacy of the blend recognized by Walter Millard and prepared by James McKinley still survives to exist in the same form as its creators intended it to be!
Black Dog 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Black Dog is a blend of fine whiskies from all the regions of Scotland – Speyside, Islay, Highlands and Lowlands, each matured for a minimum period of 12 years creating a bouquet that captures all the flavours of Scotland, giving Black Dog its very distinctive flavour and taste.
Tasting Notes
Colour : Amber, with golden highlights.
Aroma : Robust malty, mellow woody, complex yet delicate aroma of sherry and vanillic sweetness with whispers of soft peatiness in the background.
Palate : Beautifully rounded, heavy body, pronounced malty, mellow woody, fruity sweetness with teasing light warm peat.
Finish : Luxurious and exciting, long and warm with a touch of cream.
The Black Dog 12 year old has also been awarded a silver medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an organization recognized by the European Union, which conducts annual competition for various spirits and wines manufactured all over the world.
Black Dog has a smell which is fresh,and right from the start you can guess the ingredients. It’s not something you can try making at home,but there are tinge of spices,oak,vanilla and chocolate.The best way to taste whiskey is to add a spoon of water to whiskey,so that the aroma opens,and when you smell it again,it smells more rich. Next is to swish it around your mouth and let it go slow.You would feel the warmth go down the throat,but definitely this whiskey is not heavy and very smooth.
Looking forward to tasting and reviewing the 18 year old Black Dog Whisky next!