Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:37 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore a detailed comparison of Chivas Regal 18 and Glenfiddich 18 to determine which whisky suits your taste preferences best!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Chivas Regal 18 vs Glenfiddich 18: Comparison
Chivas Regal 18: Features apple, vanilla, and pear aromas; palate of ripe fruit and vanilla. Finishes long with vanilla and oak. Smooth and balanced, ideal neat or with water.
Glenfiddich 18: Offers apple, citrus, and cinnamon nose; nuts, ripe fruit, and honey on the palate. Finish is short with sherry and oak. Sweet, approachable, and well-rounded.
Verdict: Chivas Regal 18 provides a pleasant blend of flavors, offering value and versatility. Glenfiddich 18 presents a singular distillery character with a focus on sweet and fruity notes. Both deliver distinct experiences: Chivas for blend enthusiasts and Glenfiddich for single malt aficionados, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: 18-Year-Old Whisky Rankings
Chivas Regal 18: A Smooth Blend with Classic Notes
- Nose: Apple, vanilla, pear
- Palate: Ripe fruit, oak, vanilla, plum
- Finish: Long, vanilla, apple, oak
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Glenlivet 18
Gentle Aromas:
Chivas Regal 18 opens with a mild nose, offering subtle notes of apple juice, vanilla, and pear.
Warm and Balanced Flavor:
The taste profile showcases ripe fruit, vanilla, plum, and a hint of oak, creating a well-balanced experience with a gentle warming sensation on the mid-palate.
Lingering Spice:
The finish is persistent, featuring notes of vanilla, apple, and oak spice, concluding with a mild bite.
Easy Drinking Experience:
Chivas 18 delivers a smooth and balanced expression, offering an enjoyable neat experience with a touch of warmth compared to its younger sibling, the 12-year-old. While not excessively complex, it remains well-rounded and easy to appreciate. Adding a drop of water can further enhance its flavors.
Value Consideration:
This blended whisky is best enjoyed neat or with a touch of water. Given the availability and cost-effectiveness of the 12-year-old Chivas Regal, using the 18-year-old version in cocktails might not be the most economical choice.
Additional Notes:
- Unlike single malts, Chivas 18 is a blend of 20 individual single malt Scotch whiskies, each aged for at least 18 years.
- Strathisla, the oldest working distillery in the Scottish Highlands established in 1786, contributes its single malt as the cornerstone of the blend.
- This expression has received acclaim from renowned publications and whisky experts, recognized for its quality and standing within the blended Scotch category.
Glenfiddich 18: A Sweet and Approachable Speyside Single Malt
- Nose: Apple, citrus, cinnamon, oak
- Palate: Nuts, ripe fruit, honey, baking spice
- Finish: Short, sherry, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Glenlivet 18
Fruity Invitation:
Glenfiddich 18 greets you with a welcoming nose reminiscent of apple juice, with subtle citrus notes and hints of warming cinnamon and oak.
Balanced Sweetness:
On the palate, it delivers a smooth and gentle texture, showcasing a pleasant sweetness and fruitiness. Honey and roasted apple flavors take center stage, creating a well-rounded taste profile.
Easy Finish:
The finish is short and dry, with a touch of oak and sherry influence, making it easy to drink and enjoy.
A Crowd-Pleaser:
This Speyside single malt achieves a harmonious balance between barrel wood influence and sweetness, highlighting its maturation in Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon barrels. Glenfiddich 18 avoids any harsh or divisive notes, making it a smooth and approachable dram. With no alcohol burn, smoke, or peat, it caters to those seeking a simple, sweet whisky experience without a hefty price tag.
Additional Notes:
- Awarded Gold at both the 2014 International Spirits Challenge and the 2014 International Wine & Spirits Competition.
- Founded in 1887 by William Grant, Glenfiddich holds the title of the world’s best-selling single malt whisky.
- The brand is owned by William Grant & Sons, also responsible for other notable brands like Balvenie, Tullamore D.E.W., and Monkey Shoulder.
How do Chivas Regal 18 and Glenfiddich 18 differ?
Chivas Regal is a blend of single malt whiskies sourced from various distilleries, whereas Glenfiddich 18 is exclusively crafted from whiskies produced at the Glenfiddich Distillery.
As a result, Glenfiddich is classified as a single malt, while Chivas Regal 18 is labeled as a blended whisky.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Chivas Regal 18 | $58 |
| Glenfiddich 18 | $100 |