thanis Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6810Can someone help me out. First time I've had Dewar's 12 yr (had other Dewar's before, but not 12).Have sipped JW black often enough.I think I like Dewar's (suprised by this, been drinking JW black so long). If anyone has tried the two, I'm thinking the wheel from the other post would help help explain the difference in the right jargon.Most reviews state they have a very similar profiles, and I can taste that, but I think I can taste more peat in JW black, and the Dewar's 12 is a little sweeter, but no were near a bourbon.Am I getting the flavors I'm tasting right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dramiel McHinson Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6810Can someone help me out. Most reviews state they have a very similar profiles, and I can taste that, but I think I can taste more peat in JW black, and the Dewar's 12 is a little sweeter, but no were near a bourbon.Am I getting the flavors I'm tasting right?I've had my fair share of both. I call Dewars a Floral-Fruity and JWB Smokey-Peaty. But neither fit that category as clearly as single malts to me. I get hints of the floral-fruity profile a lot of Speyside single malts have in the Dewars. I can get a hint of the peat and smoke of the Islays and Skye (Talisker) from JWB but if I rated JWB on a scale of 1-10 with one being barely there and 10 being a peat monster then JWB is a 1.5 to 2. That doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable and very popular brands. Their sales indicate they have a good following.I think you are spot on in your assessment. And since we all will describe the same bottle different ways, your assessment alone will fit your endeavor perfectly. A broad set of opinions will generally agree on key nose and palate traits but we will get a lot of other descriptive terms that are unique to the individual.I read extensively here in the SB before I try something I haven't tried before to get an idea if it's worth the money to give it a go. It helps that I have a very wide range of tastes I can enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megawatt Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 That is exactly how I remember Dewar's 12. Similar to Johnnie Black but a touch less smoke. Both are great blends and I'm not sure which I'd rather have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I'm pretty happy with both but the Dewar's makes me want to go drink Aberfeldy while the JWB doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Well, you know, men have five needs: food, clothing, shelter, whiskey, and strange whiskey. Does your Johnnie Black know you've been cheating on it? Taste is subjective. I've had my share of the major blends over the years and JWB is my favorite. It has a malty and maybe even a little bit of a bourbony body. That's what I like about it, the others seem tinny by comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Your real name wouldn't be Maslow before you changed it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Actually, I stole the joke from Bill Maher. He probably got it from Maslow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascarl Posted September 26, 2010 Share Posted September 26, 2010 I happen to like both - just tried the McIvor 12 year as well. Might qualify as a nice halfway point between the 2 - not as sweet as Dewar's 12, not as smokey as JWB. Nicely priced, add it to the shelf right between the other 2. Menage a whisky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted September 26, 2010 Share Posted September 26, 2010 Well, you know, men have five needs: food, clothing, shelter, whiskey, and strange whiskey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebunk Posted September 26, 2010 Share Posted September 26, 2010 Taste is subjective. I've had my share of the major blends over the years and JWB is my favorite. It has a malty and maybe even a little bit of a bourbony body. That's what I like about it, the others seem tinny by comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Boozer Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 JWB's malt is primarily Caol Ila & Talisker whereas Dewer's 12 yr is mostly Speyside single malts ( Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, plus some others.) Very little or none of the Islay in Dewer's. Like them both, depends of the mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients.JWB's malt is primarily Caol Ila & Talisker whereas Dewer's 12 yr is mostly Speyside single malts ( Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, plus some others.) Very little or none of the Islay in Dewer's. Like them both, depends of the mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Talisker isn't an Islay is it? I think it's made on the Isle of Skye.I've been exploring Scotch blends today (well two of them anyway) and I just finished a Chivas Regal and ordered at JWB. The Chivas was fine, lots of caramel, but this JWB is different kettle of fish altogether. The nose has an odd (to me) fruity, honey note, but the island character really comes through in the finish with a nice hit of brine and peat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Talisker is made on Skye but it is an Islay style. Many malts go into JWB but from what I have been told Cardhu and Talisker were the main two. I can see having others of the same style so that if one happens to be in short supply you can increase another and still have the blend fairly close to what it was. I was just disagreeing that Caol Ila was a "main" component. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Boozer Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients.I heard from one source it was Coal Ila and then read somewhere it was Cardhu. Coin flip. Also read that there are some 3 dozen different single malts that go into JWB so it is unlikely that any distinct flavor from any single malt is going to stand out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts