Dewar's 15 Year The Monarch

Nose - apple, honey, pear, fig, apricot, light sulphur, grass, cereal grain, vanilla, lemon, caramel, nutmeg, floral notes, mild ethanol burn. Taste - pear, honey, baked apple, buttery cinnamon, peach, mint, ginger, white pepper, fig, cereal grain, grass, lemon zest, pineapple, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with orchard fruit, honey, and citrus flavors. I’ve never tried a Dewar’s over 12 years old, so this will be interesting. My past experiences have been rather mediocre, so I’m not expecting too much. The nose is classic blended malt. Orchard fruits, honey, citrus, caramel, and vanilla. Simple but inviting, with maybe a hint of sulphur. The palate is similarly light, but there’s a nice oiliness to the mouthfeel. The same notes appear here, but it’s obviously underproofed which makes the dram taste brighter and sourer than it should. Overall, this is about on par with entry level Dewar’s blends, if not a touch better due to the slightly improved mouthfeel and finish. At $45 a bottle near me, I’m passing. Honestly if I were looking for a cheap blend, I’d buy something under $30. This is in a weird category of not being particularly inexpensive or particularly good. It’s better than average for me, but it just barely makes the cut. Thank you to @ContemplativeFox for providing the generous sample!

Fairly light in color. Nose has some Apple and floral notes, but the alcohol overpowers it. Tasting starts with some vanilla and brown sugar. This gives way to some smoky oak. Finish adds some pepper to the party. A touch of water reveals some fruity notes, mostly apple.