Old Smuggler as good as Chivas Regal?

My grandfather has been drinking Scotch for a long time and keeps Old Smuggler around because it is cheap and was good for a quick snort while smoking a cigar. Recently he purchased a bottle and noticed the color changed. A friend had given him a bottle of Chivas Regal 18 year. He noticed the two now seem to have a similar taste, with the Chivas being slightly more viscous and smokey than the much cheaper Old Smuggler. I would say it has to due with the overall aging and that the Chivas would be better with soda than the Smuggler but straight seem to be similar on the nose and overall finish. Has anyone noticed that Smuggler seems to have an improved formula? Or could it be that the bottling company messed up and put the wrong Scotch in the Old Smuggler bottle?

[bkblankenship]

Originally Posted by Billiardpro18

My grandfather has been drinking Scotch for a long time and keeps Old Smuggler around because it is cheap and was good for a quick snort while smoking a cigar. Recently he purchased a bottle and noticed the color changed. A friend had given him a bottle of Chivas Regal 18 year. He noticed the two now seem to have a similar taste, with the Chivas being slightly more viscous and smokey than the much cheaper Old Smuggler. I would say it has to due with the overall aging and that the Chivas would be better with soda than the Smuggler but straight seem to be similar on the nose and overall finish. Has anyone noticed that Smuggler seems to have an improved formula? Or could it be that the bottling company messed up and put the wrong Scotch in the Old Smuggler bottle?

It is highly unlikely that the two were mixed in bottling as Chivas is owned by Chivas Bros. and Old Smuggler by Allied Distillers. Some of the similarity in taste and finish is probably because each blend has predominately Speyside malts in their respective recipes. Smuggler is a standard blend and Chivas is a deluxe blend. Differences in color are probably changes in the caramel content when coloring. As recipes change due to availability of malts, master blenders must continuously be on top of their game to keep presenting their product consistently in taste.

I hate to disagree but both companies are owned by Pernod Ricard. Although I agree that Old Smuggler as a standard whisky would not normally have whisky aged more that 5 or 6 years used in it while in the 18 year old the youngest whisky will be 18 years. I reckon your grandfather had smoked a good cigar and that intefered with his taste.

[Jojo]

Just FYI:

Pernod Ricard acquired Allied (in partnership w/ Fortune Brands) I beieve in 2005. That same year, Pernod Ricard disposed Old Smuggler to Compari. This was part of the Allied acquisition.

[blenderm]

Campari also bought Glen Grant malt distillery as part of that deal so it may possibly be a better whisky as they are more than likely to use more Glen Grant in the blend than in Allieds days