Review 147: Buchanan's 12

Have we had enough of single cask malts for awhile? Ok, let's return to something more widely available. A scotch blend? Sure! I recently picked up a bottle of Buchananan's 12 for two reasons. The first reason was that the bottle was on sale. Always an important consideration. The second was that Ralfy recently reviewed a bottle of Buchanan's 12 which was bottled around 10 years ago and raved about it. My bottle is from 2012, so it's probably quite different from what Ralfy tasted, but it's worth a shot! Who can resist a bargain anyway?

Buchanan's 12

Color: Amber +0 (Despite the green bottle, I fear Diageo got a bit heavy handed with the e150...)

ABV: 40%

Aroma Neat:
Vanilla, Fresh Gain/Sweet Wheat, Tame New Make, Crystallized Honey (light), Soft Peat/Smoke (very faintly), Gentle Oak, Graphite/Wood Ash, Marshmallows/Powdered Sugar.

Pretty standard seeming blend, imo. Similar in profile to J&B and Cutty Sark. Certainly better than Johnnie Walker Black Label, but I'm not fan of that whisky. This comes across as bit younger than 12 years, but at least it doesn't come across as artificial. **cough** black label **cough**

Aroma Water:
Light Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Mineralic Peat, Dry/Tannic Oak, Fresh Malt/Grist, Cooked Grains (wheat, again), Apple Pie/Cinnamon (very slightly), Squeezed Lime/Zest (slight).

Opens well, with malt appearing to interact with the grain. Additionally there are some fruity and spicy notes. Like neat, the whole affair is still very subtle.

Taste Neat:
Gently Sweet Grain Whisky/Wheat, Woody Vanilla, Stale Caramel, Ash/Fireplace (slightly), Gentle Peat (more highlands than Islay), Oak/Spongy Bark, Mineral Water.

The palate confirms my suspicion from the nose that this blend leans heavily on the grain and less on the malt. At least the grain whisky here is rounded and easygoing - exactly what it should be.

Taste Water:
Earthy/Mineralic Peat, Prickly Oak (a tad stale), Lime, Wood Smoke (slight), Toasted Vanilla.

What's going on with these lime notes? Has anyone else noticed this with Buchanan's? Anyway, getting watery now, but luckily not drown. Handles water than many other budget blends at 40%. Peatier and woodier than neat, which helps to conceal the dilution.

Finish:
Dry Oak, Metallic Peat, Wood Smoke, Lime (oddly enough).

Relatively short finish, that doesn't rock the boat, except for a curious lime note. Oh well! It's to be expected with a general blend at 40% such as this. At least

Conclusion:
Decent, somewhat grainy nose that takes on greater dimension and quality with water.

Thin palate that manages to hold on even with the addition of water. Slightly peaty.

Short finish, but not off-putting.

Rating: 76/100

Not a bad affordable blend! I don't think I'd buy another bottle, but this one will certainly serve a useful purpose as a pour for blend-loving guests!

Josh