Heresy? Cutty Sark LIKE Glenlivet
Pros:
Light, mellow ,nice vanilla hints.
Low on the peat.
Not expensive.
Speyside influence;oak aged.
Cons:
Being a blend, Cutty has little status with single malt fans.
The Bottom Line:
Try Cutty Sark at half the price of Glenlivet 12. Taste is similar but "The Glen" costs twice as much. Agree/disagree-either way both are excellent. Consider Cutty a cult whisky.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Ok-Here we go. Was once upon a time a scotch whisky drinker- that was before single malts were popular. Had many a brand, but Cutty I fondly remember as my "medicinal each evening"- a veritable health food. Then became a bourbon drinker- liked Wild Turkey, Old Grand Dad 100, and Bookers (as well as JD- I know,not bourbon). Then came upon vodka recently- fun but boring (BTW: ZYR is a great vodka). Now: back to whiskey; tried Canadian(Crown Royal- very nice but no complexity); American Rye- nothing special here; Bourbon- Knob Creek,Wild Turkey 100- just lost that bourbon feeling; Michters American Unblended (NOT Bad), but something was lacking. Scotch just has that certain quality (magical?) that no other spirit possesses.
So, after some Dewars, I tried some Glenlivet 12yo (50ML)- tasted very, very nice. Went to the store today to buy a bottle, but $50 per 1 liter- so I bought a .375 liter size; and decided to get some Cutty Sark (for old times sake) at $26 per 1 liter, as that had been my favorite years ago.
Tonight I compared the two, and I would not be surprised to be banished,ignored,or burned at the stake by some. BUT, not THAT much difference between the two, except for a huge price differential. Cutty is 1/2 the price of The Glenlivet. Similarities: Both are low in peat taste, about the same degree of sweetness and mellowness (The Glen is a bit heavier), hints of vanilla, Speyside malt in both, aged in charred oak barrels (Cutty-sherry;The Glen-Bourbon) and generally taste quite similar to me. This is how I like Scotch and I feel both are very good examples. To my taste-Cutty Sark is an underrated Scotch Whisky, that lacks the single malt label and thus no snob appeal. All I can say in defense of this position is try the two side by side and possibly be surprised and save a lot(like a good Scotsman).
Cutty Sark is a great introduction to scotch whisky, as well as a brand that some may like a lifetime. If you lean toward the lighter and less peaty style of scotch, this is worthy of a tasting.
Cutty fans can consider this dram a diamond in the rough; as for status, let's give Cutty "Cult" status.
