Similar Whiskies to Dewar’s

Last Updated on: 3rd May 2024, 08:15 pm

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.

Looking for a similar smooth blend with a focus on honeyed sweetness?

• Aberfeldy 12: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear - A creamy and delightful dram.

Prefer something more fruity with a touch of spice?

• Glen Grant 12: Honey, vanilla, apple, apricot - Smooth and easygoing, perfect for beginners.

On a budget and want a light and easygoing blend?

• Bell's: Toffee, barley, spice - Great in cocktails, especially with ginger ale.

Intrigued by a touch of sherry sweetness?

• Whyte & Mackay: Vanilla, honey, prunes, caramel - Sweet and unique for the price.

New to whisky and want a smooth blend for cocktails?

• Monkey Shoulder: Marmalade, vanilla, baking spices, orange, honey - Easygoing and versatile.

Super budget-friendly and approachable for beginners?

• The Famous Grouse: Apple, caramel, barley - Smooth and lacks bitterness.

Want a gentle introduction to smoky Scotch?

• Johnnie Walker Black Label: Vanilla, orange, smoke, caramel - Smoky but still easygoing. (Note: Different profile from Dewar's 12's citrus focus)

Enjoy Dewar's 12's citrus notes but want more complexity?

Consider sticking with Dewar's but trying their Dewar's 12: Offers a wider range of citrus fruits and a touch of spice.

Like the smoothness of Dewar's White Label but want more sweetness?

• Aberfeldy 12 (mentioned earlier) is a good option for a similar smoothness with a honeyed twist.

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.

Dewar's Similar Whiskies & Alternatives: Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Aberfeldy 12: A Honeyed Delight

• Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, pear
• Palate: Caramel, apple, citrus
• Finish: Spicy oak, roasted nuts
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Aberfeldy 12 charms with a creamy body and notes of honey, caramel, vanilla, and pear. Hints of apple, citrus, and gentle oak spice add complexity, while a subtle smoky touch intrigues. The finish is pleasant, offering lingering oak and roasted nuts.

While not overpowering, Aberfeldy delivers a delightful drinking experience, especially for its price point, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Glen Grant 12: Smooth Fruit & Spice

• Nose: Honey, vanilla, apple, apricot
• Palate: Apple, vanilla, cinnamon, almond
• Finish: Short, oak spice, lemon peel
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Glen Grant 12 entices with honeyed sweetness and vanilla on the nose, followed by ripe apple and apricot. The creamy palate offers smooth apple, vanilla, a hint of cinnamon, and roasted almond. The finish is brief with oak spice and a touch of lemon, leaving a clean impression. Easygoing and approachable, this is a great single malt for beginners.

Bell's: A Likeable Blend

• Nose: Toffee, barley, spice
• Palate: Fruity, toffee, oak, spice
• Finish: Short, smoke, toffee, oak
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Bell's charms with a light, sweet nose of toffee, toasted barley, and a hint of spice. The smooth palate echoes sweetness with fruit and toffee, balanced by oaky touches. A short finish lingers with toffee, subtle smoke, and a hint of spice. Easygoing and affordable, Bell's shines in cocktails, especially with ginger ale or in a classic Scotch & Soda.

Whyte & Mackay: Sherry-Kissed Sweetness

• Nose: Vanilla, honey, prunes
• Palate: Caramel, ginger, tobacco, ash
• Finish: Long, caramel, tobacco, smoke
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Whyte & Mackay entices with a sweet nose of vanilla, honey, prunes, and a hint of smoke. The smooth palate offers caramel and ginger, evolving into tobacco and ashy notes. The finish lingers with warmth, featuring more caramel, tobacco, and a touch of smoke. This blend, matured in ex-sherry casks, delivers a sweet and intriguing experience at an attractive price point.

Monkey Shoulder: Smooth Blended Delight

• Nose: Marmalade, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon
• Palate: Malt, vanilla, orange, honey, oak
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Monkey Shoulder, a blend of Speyside malts, offers a welcoming nose of marmalade, vanilla, and warm baking spices. The smooth palate reveals vanilla, orange, and honey, with a touch of oaky spice. The finish is short, but water brings out sweetness and balances the spice.

Easygoing and ideal for cocktails, it's a great choice for new whisky drinkers.

The Famous Grouse: A Smooth Introduction

• Nose: Apple, caramel, barley
• Palate: Caramel, citrus, honey, smoke
• Finish: Malt, citrus
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Famous Grouse, Scotland's favorite since 1980, is a budget-friendly blend perfect for beginners. Smooth and approachable, it lacks bitterness. Subtle aromas of apple, caramel, and barley greet the nose. The palate offers upfront caramel sweetness balanced by honey, sherry, orange, a touch of smoke, and minerality. The finish is short with malty notes, oak spice, and a hint of orange and caramel.

Black Label: Smoky Introduction

• Nose: Vanilla, orange zest, nectarine
• Palate: Smoke, roasted malt, caramel, vanilla
• Finish: Long, fruity, peppery, smoke
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Johnnie Walker Black Label offers a gentle intro to smoky Scotch. Hints of peat mingle with vanilla, orange zest, and nectarine on the nose. The light-bodied palate showcases mild sweetness balanced by prominent peat, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is warm and smooth with lingering peat, black pepper, salt, and caramel. Great on the rocks for an easygoing smoky dram.

Dewar's 12: Refreshing Citrus & Spice

• Nose: Lime, orange, apricot, pear
• Palate: Lime, orange, caramel, vanilla
• Finish: Medium, oak spice, pepper
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Dewar's 12 entices with a citrusy nose of lime, orange, and apricot, accented by a subtle hint of smoke. The taste mirrors citrus with hints of orange, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice. The short finish offers warmth, oak, pepper, and a light smoke note. Enjoyable neat or with a dash of water for enhanced caramel sweetness.

Dewar's White Label: Smooth Surprise

• Nose: Apple, peach, oak
• Palate: Honey, cereal, vanilla, smoke, oak
• Finish: Caramel, vanilla, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Unlike other harsh options in its price range, Dewar's White Label surprises with a smooth, sweet, and mellow profile. The nose offers pleasant hints of apple, peach, barley, and oak. On the palate, it's exceptionally smooth with honey, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of smoke. The finish is short and clean, leaving a lingering taste of caramel, vanilla, and oak spice. Popular for cocktails, a few drops of water unlock richer floral notes.