Whisky Review: James Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Year landed on my desk at 40% ABV. Here is what I found.
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. 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.
Finish
It finishes with a note of bitter orange, with the bread quality evolving into a taste of toasted nuts. Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful 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.
The Bottom Line
Whisky Review: James Buchanan’s Special Reserve 18 Year is fine — not bad, not great, just fine. if you are willing to look around.
