Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
It is easy to forget that we are living a gilded age. From washing machines and microwaves, jet skis and airplanes, our normal is our ancestors’ opulent. Spirits are the same: walk into a liquor store and you can find the finest tequilas, vodkas, and scotches from all over the world, not to mention countless expressions of bourbon made from state of the art methods.
When a “budget” whisky comes out, the impulse is to assume that it is of poor quality or sub-standard. However, from a historical perspective, this is entirely inaccurate. Budget spirits are still made with a level of consistency, quality, and attention to far outpace what was widely available as recent as 80 years ago, notably for the fact that no one worries about going blind from a spirit.
Today’s review is for one of two expressions of King Robert II Blended Scotch whisky. The first expression, the basic King Robert II Blended Scotch Whisky Treble Cask Edition goes for $14.99 a bottle, which is on the very low end of cost for a Scotch. The second expression, the King Robert II 12-year-old Blended Scotch Whisky comes in at only $7 more, or $21.99 SRP. Owned by the larger Ian Macleod Distillers group, King Robert II has recently expanded its market to the United States, so you should see it on shelves soon.
Given the price point, I would categorize these as “budget” whiskies, similar to Famous Grouse, Johnny Walker Red, and Dewars White Label.
The next logical step is to identify what kind of spirit King Robert II is. “Well, duh. Scotch obviously,” might be your knee jerk reaction. However, there is more complexity to Scotch than may be first realized. “Scotch whisky” is really a category which includes 5 separate types of whisky: Single Malt, Single Grain, Blended Malt, Blended Grain, and Blended Whisky, .
The word “single” means it has been distilled and matured by a single distillery. “Blended” refers to whiskies that are a mix of whiskies from multiple distilleries. The word “malt” means the grain used in the fermentation process is exclusively malted barley, while “grain” refers to those whiskies with more than one type of cereal in the mash bill (e.g. barley, rye, corn, wheat, or other grains). It will be called “Scotch” only if the product is distilled, produced, and bottled in Scotland.
Thus, King Robert II is a Blended Scotch Whisky which means it is a mix of at least one malt whisky and one grain whisky from at least two different distilleries, which is distilled, produced, and bottled in Scotland. Great! So, how good is it?
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On a previous review, the Treble Cask Edition is pretty raw, with obvious alcohol notes dominating the nose to the extent that it is hard to pick up on the juice beneath. Similarly, the palate is fairly flat and is what I would expect from a bottle of scotch that costs 14.99. I would only consume this in a heavily diluted mixed drink.
The 12 year expression I’m reviewing here, meanwhile, is substantially better, with the age of the whisky cutting the alcohol smells down and allowing you to better appreciate the spirit. While I would only drink it with a healthy portion of ice, the dram is on par with Johnny Walker Red.
Tasting Notes: King Robert II 12-Year-Old
Vital Stats: Aged 12 years. A blend of whiskies from the Islands, Highlands, Lowlands, and Speyside regions of Scotland. 80 proof (40% ABV). $21.99/750ml.
Appearance: Orange surrounded by yellow lemon rind.
Nose: Medicinal iodine and mint are immediately prominent. Sandalwood, hazelnut and a tiny bit of plum can be found rolling around.
Palate: Pleasantly, vanilla and cedar bloom and present a comfortable palate. Toast with gravy and iodine take over to the end of the palate, which is brief.
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