Scotch

Whisky Review: James Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Year

Trying Buchanan’s 18 Year Old Special Reserve now is like reuniting with an old friend after a long absence.

OVERALL RATING

6
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Tasting Notes

About:

40% ABV. Mash bill: Undisclosed. 80 Proof. MSRP 87.99 USD.
Appearance:
Burnished Copper
Nose:
With the low burn of the blend, I can clearly pick out a forward scent of orange zest. Going deeper, I can find a softer layer of bran cereal smoothing out the scent.
Palate:
It opens early with a somewhat medicinal taste and an oily mouthfeel. I put this down to tasting alcohol clearly, with no burn to offset the taste. Settling over the tongue, I can feel citrus notes and a slightly bready quality, like orange jam over a biscuit.
Finish:
It finishes with a note of bitter orange, with the bread quality evolving into a taste of toasted nuts.
Comments:
It’s been nice to catch up with an old friend, and see where six years has taken us. The Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Year Blended Scotch certainly retains the characteristic smoothness that made its younger expression easy to enjoy. There’s a low burn and a clean taste, which gives clarity to the flavor and makes for an easy sip. However, when it comes to older, and more expensive, expressions I’m looking more for depth of flavor than smooth drinking. I enjoyed Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18, but I can only recommend it as a smooth, basic sipper and not an especially complex taster.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Taylor Shiells

Taylor is a writer, researcher, and whiskey enthusiast. He came to Portland in pursuit of higher education, and found himself staying to pursue the Pacific Northwest's wide range of olfactory offerings. He's a fan of craft beer, farm to table food, indie perfume, and, most of all, whiskey. While he provides technical research to the entertainment industry by day, the Whiskey Wash gives him the opportunity to explore his passion, hone his palate, and practice a more flavorful form of writing.

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