BiggAndyy the Magazine

McClelland’s Lowland Single Malt Scotch is usually found on the bottom shelf of the Wine and Spirits stores that I frequent. But I really don’t think it quite belongs there. It is a budget priced scotch, usually going for $20 for a 750 ml bottle. But don’t let its shelf placement and inexpensive price lead you to think this is an inferior scotch. It is very good for what it is, a single malt scotch for someone not used to single malts.

Since I am very familiar with this scotch I will just briefly go through the diagnostics for you. It does not have an overpowering nose at all. If one could call the aroma from scotch “delicate” McClelland’s Lowland would be in that category. There is no attack at all, just a pleasant caramel and burnt oak that comes on easily and doesn’t offend, i.e. no nose burn.

McClelland’s Lowland is a lighter colored scotch, falling somewhere between chardonnay and sunlight. Since it is not listed on the bottle just how old the scotch is you can pretty much bet that it is quite young, probably only 3 years in the cask. That is ok. This scotch isn’t out to compete with MacAllan or Chivas. This scotch is an affordable plunge into the single malt scotch world.

The taste, let’s face it, is not what a much older (and bolder) single malt scotch will taste like. There is still the characteristic “whiskey bite” to the initial taste, but it is very subdued and almost creamy and fruity in flavor. This is not a scotch that needs to be sipped, you can dive right in and take a shot or two if you like. But it does bring to the table a lingering, pleasant aftertaste that is a hallmark of more premium scotches.

All in all, McClelland’s Lowland is my personal choice to have on hand for when the mood strikes for a dram of scotch. Eminently affordable, easy to drink, and easy to give as a gift, this single malt scotch may not be the King of Scotch, but it certainly is a worthy citizen of the kingdom.

Ok, looks like this is turning out to be a journey through the bottom shelf of Scotch Whiskys. I did not have a lot of money so I was playing this one on the cheap and did not get a fully aged Scotch. Rule of thumb, if there is not an age specifically listed (usually prominently, a selling point) on the bottle then it is usually aged in the cask between 3 to 6 years. Being a blended Scotch then the ages can be wildly different between constituent products.

Ballantaine’s Finest is the initial offering of the Ballantine product line. The Ballantine family includes 12, 17, 21, and 30 year old members. This is a relatively inexpensive scotch but not quite bottom shelf, the bottle is still made of glass.

The color is a pale straw, this usually indicates a young or immature scotch. As the scotch ages in the cask it takes on some of the colors of the previous contents and the wood itself. The aroma is very pleasing, almost citrus in its initial attack. Undiluted this is a very easy offering to nose deeply, not overpowering at all. The swirl is nice and even and coats the glass evenly, no runners.

After my last review (and ruining a glass of this scotch) I am going to forgo the water dilution until I get a graduated cylinder so straight up here I come. I am going to do the initial taste, swoosh it around my mouth to get a full appreciation of the whisky, and pull some air through it. By pulling air through the sample I get to bring into the experience both my sense of taste AND smell, making the more complex and subtle flavors explode with much more force.

Unfortunately, the finish tends to be a lot stronger using this method. Well, fortunately for me, I like a strong finishing scotch. I hope you do as well.

On second nose I want to add I think there is a hint of a pine aroma; a great smelling scotch for being the youngest brother of this family.

This one is a tongue tingler. The first thing to hit you is the “meatiness” of the flavor. I don’t want to use the word heavy because that is not quite right. Full flavored is not going far enough though. After letting the slight antiseptic effect pass of this potent full bodied scotch I dive in for another taste.

For an inexpensive blend, this is a nice scotch going down and a very strong finish. Definitely NOT a meal scotch, nor even an after meal digestivo. This scotch doesn’t want to share the limelight. Maybe a highback leather chair, a Drew Estate Cigar, and a good friend to share the moment with and discuss the solutions to all the world’s problems is the perfect evening for this scotch.

I bet you are wondering why the Chivas Tag is still being used for this review? Probably figured, “Stupid lazy souse, too drunk to check his tags.” Well, in this case you would be wrong. According to the Ballantine website the Chivas Brothers LTD. bought the Ballantine company in 2005. I wonder how many Scottish distilleries are owned by multinational conglomerates?

A friend of mine recommended this blended malt scotch whisky to me several weeks ago and I finally picked up a bottle at the local LCB (or State Store as they used to be called) here in Pennsylvania. I won’t bother going into histories of Scotch and Whiskey and Chivas, you can follow the links and read it for yourselves, let’s just concentrate on what is in front of us.

Out of the box it had a full gold color, much richer in tone than the McClelland Lowland I keep on hand for company (friends get the MacAllan, don’t worry). Poured straight it did not have as strong an attack I was expecting at the first nose, somewhat subdued and carmal like… almost smelled “chewy” (not chewbacca). The swirl was nice and even and clung wonderfully to the sides of the glass. No streamers running down.

Maybe because it is so close to Halloween this time of year, but after I diluted it a bit I could swear my first nose was a hint of chocolate. I double checked the water container to make sure neither of my two kids had gotten hold of it but it was fine. Well, there was still a hint of the initial pour so in went a bit more water to see if I could coax any more maturity out of the scotch. I removed the lid and dove in. A much more refined hint of a floral bouquet, very pleasing. Over all not an overpowering scotch whisky to the nose at all.

I always worry if I am going to ruin the taste by adding a bit too much water; I am not using graduated glasses or containers, everything by eye. I wonder if this one will be one of the ruined samples. Yup, did overwater this time. You win some you lose some. First taste was very bland, very broken. I even tried to coax out as much flavor as I could by treating it like a wine and pulling some air through the mouthfull. Did not do much.

If you haven’t already guessed, I am not keeping traditional notes but giving a running analysis of this scotch. I always find it more interesting to not only get the reviewers summary but to get a glimpse into what he was thinking and feeling during the tasting. Probably won’t affect the taste a hill of beans, but the process is as important as the findings.

After allowing my nose and tongue a short rest I poured a fresh sample, this time much less water. I hope that this is not a case of a “great nose but rotten tongue” scotch. I really want to like this scotch, after all, if it is good enough for Ted Kennedy…

Heck, for this next taste I am going full strength. That was a good choice! I really enjoy the carmal start and the “firewood ash” finish. The finish overall is moderately strong straight, but that is what sets a good scotch apart from something like the less mature McClelland. I especially like the way it tickles the insides of my cheeks during the finish. Going down it is much bolder and can even be felt briefly in the nasal passages.

Conclusion: I was not disappointed by this scotch, very inviting and very drinkable straight (if you are used to scotch straight). Be careful! This scotch is easily overdiluted and ruined; one, maybe two ice cubes at best. If you are out on the town this is a very affordable blended malt scotch whisky and one that you and some friends can enjoy at the restaurant, or after a nice dinner with guests at home.