1/A mate's fortieth, and I've been handed the good stuff in the backyard. Birthday boy drifts over, nose in the glass. "Vanilla sponge and marzipan in here, little waft of smoke at the end. What've you given me?" "Chivas Regal 12 — $60 at Dan's."
2/"You on the same?" he asks, tipping his glass at mine. "Nah — Chivas Regal XV 15. Marmalade, almond, cinnamon buns, dark fruit off a cognac cask. Rated 92." "Course you are, keeping the top drop for yerself." "$89 this week. Someone's gotta taste-test it."
3/Here's the thing, though: Chivas Regal 12 gives an XV 15 drinker about 95% of what the XV does, for 67% of its price. What you give up is mostly three years of age and some of the sherry and dried fruit. The XV for its fans on a frosty night; the 12 for every other.
None recorded.
None recorded.
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