Chivas Regal is a renowned brand of Scotch blended whisky, distinguished by its rich flavor and unique aroma. A special touch is given to this drink by smoky notes, which are key to its composition. Chivas Regal whisky has a history spanning over 200 years, which began in the basement of a grocery store where the Chivas brothers worked on their unique recipe that later found its way to Queen Victoria's table. This journey solidified the brand's status as a royal drink.

America was introduced to Chivas whisky after the end of World War II. The drink instantly gained immense popularity, becoming an essential part of social events and film sets. Chivas Regal was the favorite drink of legends such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis. According to witnesses, the whisky accompanied them both on tours and in their everyday lives.

In the 21st century, Chivas whisky remains one of the most popular elite drinks in the world. It is served in clubs, restaurants, and private parties. The whisky is exported to over 200 countries worldwide, with an annual sales volume of 4 million cases. This means that every 4 seconds, someone on Earth buys a bottle of Chivas Regal.

What has ensured such phenomenal success for the brand? How has it managed to achieve this over two centuries? In this article, we will try to explore these questions. Additionally, we have prepared an overview of the Chivas Regal lineup and recommendations on how to make the right choice.

 

History of Chivas

In 1801, brothers James and John Chivas founded the company Chivas Brothers. Initially, it was a delicatessen shop in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. At that time, grain and single malt whiskies had quite a harsh and rough taste due to the technological peculiarities of their production. The brothers conducted research among their customers to diversify the range of their store and began experimenting with different varieties of aged spirits stored in the basement of their shop. By blending various proportions of grain and malt whiskies, they created a unique recipe that became the foundation for the famous blended whisky. Eventually, the brothers not only became owners of a prestigious beverage store but also experts in the art of blending.

In 1843, the first blended Scotch whisky under the Chivas Brothers brand appeared on the market. The drink impressed consumers so much that it received a royal warrant and the second part of its name - "Regal." From then on, the brand became the official supplier of Chivas Regal 12 whisky to the court of Queen Victoria, solidifying its popularity throughout the kingdom.

In 1909, the brand took a leading position in the elite whisky market by releasing Chivas Regal 25 – the first blended Scotch whisky of such an age. The drink quickly gained popularity and still retains it. This whisky marked the beginning of the brand's export to the American market, where Chivas Regal 25 swiftly won over aristocratic New York. After the Prohibition era, when alcohol supply was halted, Chivas made a comeback in 1933 with Chivas Regal 12, which remains a favorite among Americans to this day.

In 2000, the Chivas company and its distilleries were acquired by the Pernod Ricard corporation.

 

Production of Chivas

The primary requirement for Scotch whisky is that it can only contain spirit, water, and malt. This ensures a unique aftertaste, preserving the woody notes and all the nuances of kiln-dried grain.

Chivas Regal is crafted using an ancient recipe that involves spring water, mature grains, and fresh yeast. The key ingredients include malt and whole barley, with a small addition of other grains. The initial alcohol strength is at least 94%, which is reduced to 40% during production. The whisky has a delicate aroma, thanks to carefully selected malt and grain varieties from different regions of Scotland. Chivas whisky is produced at the oldest distillery in the Speyside region (established in 1786). This area also contributes unique notes to the flavor and aroma of the drink. The foundation for all Chivas Regal blends is the Strathisla single malt whisky.

During production, the master blender meticulously selects proportions for mixing different types of whisky, focusing on their aromatic and flavor characteristics. Colin Scott, a descendant of the Chivas brothers and a guardian of tradition, significantly influenced the brand's development. He served as a master blender for over 30 years, creating many renowned Chivas Regal varieties, including Chivas Regal 18, which is still made using the traditional recipe. After blending, the whisky is predominantly aged in sherry casks and stored there until bottling.

 

Chivas Regal: Whisky Lineup

Each type of Chivas whisky has an alcohol strength of 40%.

1. Chivas Regal 12 – The youngest member of the lineup. It is made from various whiskies aged for at least 12 years in oak barrels. The taste of this drink features notes of heather, vanilla caramel, and anise, with a finish that reveals hints of nuts and dried fruits. This whisky has won numerous prestigious awards.

2. Chivas Regal 18 – A whisky created by Colin Scott's signature recipe. The blend consists of over 20 whiskies aged for 18 years. The drink has a velvety taste with light chocolate-nut and citrus-herbal notes. The aftertaste is rich with floral-malty and smoky undertones. Chivas 18, priced at around €90 per liter, is described as "velvety" due to its smooth texture and rich flavor.

3. Chivas Regal 25 – A whisky specially created for the American market, made according to a recipe that is over 110 years old. This drink has a fruity-honey aroma with hints of marzipan and almond. The taste unfolds with notes of chocolate and crème brûlée, while the aftertaste offers a pleasant citrus-nut bitterness.

4. Chivas Regal XV – A whisky aged for 15 years in cognac casks. This imparts notes of pear and candy to the drink, with an aroma filled with hints of fruits and spices.

5. Chivas Regal Ultis – This whisky is composed of five rare varieties from different distilleries. It was created in honor of five generations of the brand's master blenders. The aroma is filled with notes of peach and candy, while the pronounced fruity flavor is dominated by pear, apple, persimmon, and clementine.

6. Chivas Royal Salute 21 – First introduced in 1953 to honor the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. According to British tradition, the coronation is accompanied by a 21-gun salute, which is where this whisky gets its name. It is made from select and rare Scottish whiskies aged for at least 21 years in bourbon or sherry casks. The refined aroma reveals delicate floral notes, the taste is sweet with hints of caramel and sweet-salty chords, and the aftertaste is long and smoky.

7. Chivas Regal Mizunara – A unique variant aged in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels, which adds special spicy and fruity notes to the drink.

 

Chivas: Whisky Prices

Chivas remains one of the most popular whiskies in the world today, with prices varying depending on the country, taxes, the specific type of whisky, and the bottle size.

The average prices are approximately as follows:

  • Chivas 12 Years – €40 per 1L
  • Chivas 18 Years – €90 per 1L
  • Chivas 15 Years – €65 per 1L
  • Chivas Regal Ultis – €230 per 700ml
  • Chivas Regal Salute 21 – €180 per 700ml

 

Chivas Regal: How to Distinguish the Original from a Fake

Even the highest-quality counterfeit can be identified by certain details:

  • Excise Stamp: All bottles, except those purchased in Duty-Free, should have an excise stamp.
  • Cap: The original bottle has a protective seal on the cap, along with the brand name.
  • Embossed Emblem: The base of the bottle should feature the brand’s embossed emblem.
  • Neck Shape: Almost all types of Chivas Regal have a "bulging" neck.
  • Label: The label should be embossed, and the back of the bottle should have the bottling date and a unique number for each bottle.
  • Clarity of the Drink: The drink should be clear, with no sediment at the bottom.
  • Drink Characteristics: When shaken, large bubbles should form in the bottle, which maintain their shape for some time.

To protect yourself from counterfeits, it is recommended to purchase alcohol in specialized stores or Duty-Free shops. If you are planning to travel abroad, you can use the online service Mydutyfree to place a pre-order with a discount. Browse the online catalog, select your desired location, and complete your order. You can pick up and pay for your discounted purchase on the day of your border crossing at the special Duty-Free shop cashier.