Grand Old Parr Superior 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Old Parr is named after Tom Parr (pictured on the label), once reputed to be the oldest man in England. Launched in 1909, the brand later found success in export markets such as Japan, Mexico and South America where it was easily identified in its distinctive dimpled and rounded square bottle. The basis of the blend today is Cragganmore, however Glendullan has also been a major component since World War II.

Here we have the 'deluxe' expression, although there's also a 15-year-old, the NAS Old Parr Tribute and the very rare, beautifully presented Old Parr Elizabethan (none of these are available in Australia at the time of writing). The house style is big, bold and complex by blended whisky standards.\

Old Parr is popular in Japan and South America. Oh, and amongst whisky lovers, especially the older bottles, maybe because Mr. Parr lived for 152 years and married for the second time at the age of 122. Colour: full gold. Nose: very different from the Buchanan, sweeter, fruitier, less 'tertiary', with a lot of orange liqueur and then some brine, game, peat, a little ginger ale, touches of molasses, hay, a little chalk, cut grass… It's very complex but I liked the Buchanan's focus (even) better. Mouth: high peat content, high quality. It's a big blend, really punchy, slightly rough (in the sense that it's not as polished as most blends), that develops mostly on bitter oranges, cloves, juniper berries, pepper and then green tea. Very powerful. Finish: long, gingery and peppery. Certainly not what you'd expect from some blended Scotch, but we won't complain! Comments: probably one of the biggest blends out there. I liked the Buchanan a little better because I thought it was more complex and a little silkier. 87 points - whiskyfun.com