You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro/History/Pricing
5:35 - 21 Year Nosing
6:55 - 21 Year Tasting
9:45 - 27 Year Nosing
11:00 - 27 Year Tasting
14:40 - 32 Year Nosing
16:00 - 32 Year Tasting
Dewar’s has been a staple in the Scotch world seemingly forever. But, for most of that time it was just a young, inexpensive, blended whisky that you’d pour over ice to end a busy day. Well, all that changed in 2019 when they began releasing these small (375 ml’s) of ultra-aged blends. At that time, single malt pricing began really climbing for mature whiskies, but Dewars threw these out comparatively low - about $45 for the 21 Year, $75 for the 27 Year, & $125 for the 32 Year. Of course, as the Scotch market values increased, so did Dewar’s pricing. In 2022 I saw another batch hit shelves and the pricing went up $5-$10 on the 21 year, and $25 on the 27- & 32-year-old ones (so those were then $100 & $150). Then at the beginning of 2023, another round of price increases hit, and it was the most dramatic yet (for the 27 & 32)! The 21 went up in size to 750ml’s but still stayed around $100 (so no real price increase there), but the small 375 ml. 27 year is now $120 and the 32 year has jumped up to $225! Annnnd, when I was up in the northeast 3 weeks ago, I saw them at a Total Wine now priced at $249 for the 27 year and $425 for the 32!!! It's sad to say, that while they're good, I can't recommend buying them at that price. The thing to remember is that these are Blended Whiskies. That means it’s a blend of whiskies of both classic malt whiskey (usually a pot still) with added grain whiskey likely from corn, rye, and wheat that usually come off a column still. So, while these are not entirely malt grain whiskies like a “single malt,” we do know that every drop in there is at least the stated age old.
As a thank you for my patrons (join us at www.patreon.com/liquorhound) I’ll also be reviewing the new Cadenhead 30-year Blended Whisky. Come join us over there to see how it stacks up to these Dewar’s and know which ones to truly go after! My Patrons support help me keep my independence and allowed me to continue self-purchasing bottles for this channel. So, if you enjoy this honest & unbiased content and would like to help us keep it going, please join us at www.patreon.com/LiquorHound. There you’ll get a 2-week head start on hunting all the bottles I review - before they launch on KZfaq. You’ll also get lots of “Patron Only” bonus content at the end of my videos, every video add-free - including the large private review library (which has never been on KZfaq), have the ability to message me directly with questions, and can be eligible for my giveaways.
As of September 2023, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our Special Editions are moving fast and winning awards! Our "Nobleman" Rye Whiskey was aged in Hungarian Tokaji (pronounced Tok-eye) sweet wine casks! It's a rye that drinks well beyond its age! The other is a twist on our "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - New Orleans Spirit Competition! It was awarded that over a lot of really big names, and just goes to show that when you take the branding away, our Saints Alley whiskeys can stand on their own! Given my decades of training and knowledge, you know I’ll continue working hard with my team to bring you whiskeys that we’re proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!