Dewar's White Label vs Dewar's 12: Scotch Comparison

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:25 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 Dewar’s White Label and Dewar’s 12 to discover their distinct qualities and find the Scotch that suits your taste!

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

Dewar’s White Label vs Dewar’s 12: Comparison

Dewar’s White Label: Light, smooth blend with apple, peach, and a hint of oak. Offers a sweet, easy-drinking experience with a short finish of caramel and vanilla.

Dewar’s 12: Refreshing citrus aroma with a balanced palate of lime, caramel, and vanilla. Short, warming finish with oak spice.

Verdict: Both offer smooth, approachable experiences. White Label shines for its affordability and versatility, while Dewar’s 12 adds refined citrus and spice notes for a slightly more complex sipping experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Cheap Scotch Whiksy Best Picks

Dewar’s White Label: A Smooth and Versatile Blended Scotch

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
Similar to: Jameson

Aroma: This affordable blended Scotch opens with subtle hints of apple, peach, barley, and a touch of oak.

Palate: Dewar’s White Label surprises with a smooth and sweet taste profile. Honey, caramel, and vanilla flavors intertwine with toasted barley, a whisper of smoke, and gentle oak.

Finish: The finish is short, leaving a lingering aftertaste of caramel, vanilla, and oak spice. Adding a few drops of water can further enhance the experience by unlocking subtle floral notes.

A Value-Driven Choice: Despite its affordable price point, Dewar’s White Label delivers a surprisingly smooth and enjoyable drinking experience. This stands out in its category, where harshness is often encountered.

Widely Enjoyed: Dewar’s White Label’s popularity extends beyond its price tag. It’s a widely enjoyed choice in both the United States, often used in cocktails, and its home country of Scotland.

Versatile Options: This whisky’s smooth character makes it perfect for various serving options. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, mixed in classic cocktails like Rob Roys, or with ginger ale for a refreshing highball. Its affordability also makes it a guilt-free choice for mixing.

Additional Notes:

Dewar’s White Label is a blend of 40 different grain and malt whiskies sourced from various Scottish distilleries.
The whisky undergoes a short aging process of six months in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks before bottling.
This historical brand, established in 1899, continues to be a popular choice for whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

Dewar’s 12: A Balanced and Easy-Drinking Blended Scotch

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
Similar to: Chivas Regal 12

Aroma: Dewar’s 12 opens with a refreshing bouquet of citrus fruits, featuring notes of lime, orange, apricot, and a hint of pear, complemented by a subtle touch of smoke.

Palate: The taste profile offers a delightful interplay of flavors. Lime and orange notes mingle with sweeter hints of caramel and vanilla, balanced by warming spices like cinnamon and a touch of peppery heat.

Finish: The finish is short and leaves a mild warmth, lingering with whispers of oak spice, pepper, and a faint smoky echo.

A Well-Rounded Choice: This reviewer found Dewar’s 12 to be a solid and well-rounded blended Scotch whisky. Compared to previous versions, it offers improved balance and a more enjoyable drinking experience.

Uncomplicated Enjoyment: While not boasting exceptional complexity, Dewar’s 12 delivers a pleasant and flavorful experience at a moderate 80 proof (40% ABV). With no off-putting notes, it presents a classic blended Scotch character, making it an easy-drinking and uncomplicated choice for a nightcap.

Additional Notes:

Dewar’s 12 is a blend of 40 different single malt and grain whiskies.
The whisky undergoes a unique double-barreling process in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels, contributing to its flavor profile.
The recent update features a redesigned label and a clear glass bottle for the whisky.
Dewar’s is owned by Bacardi, a spirits company headquartered in Bermuda.