Bell’s
This will be one of the shortest reviews you are going to see on my little blog, in the sense that not a lot will be said about the whisky. The only reason for my writing it in the first place is that I was in Waitrose earlier today, browsing their wine section (I picked up a bottle of Font de Michelle Châteauneuf for $30 – not bad!), when I overheard two younger gentlemen discussing which blended whisky to buy. The choice, it became clear, was between Bell’s and Whyte & Mackay.
As they deliberated their decision, it seemed they were swaying towards the Bell’s – and as any upstanding citizen would, I had to intervene. I simply couldn’t let two young men have their curiosity for whisky destroyed by the bland concoction that Diaego try to pass for whisky.
Nonetheless, I may as well summarize what I can remember of the whisky from the one time I’ve had it. It was a while ago, mind you, so do forgive any lack of detail. The nose is fairly thin, with a decisive hint of spice, herbs and alcohol. On the palate, meanwhile, it is medium bodied and tastes only of one thing: Coriander. I don’t know if the bottle I tried had gone foul, or if the odd taste was due to my having had other whiskies before it, but that’s all I could taste.
Color: golden-ish yellow.
Nose: Spice, herbs and alcohol.
Palate: Coriander.
In all honesty, and I don’t want to sound mean, this is a vile whisky.
P.S. I decided to browse the web for a few other reviews, and found one that made me laugh: scroll down to the comments below the tasting notes. “Tastes like a vagrant’s nut-sack dipped in cleaning fluid (or at least what I imagine that might taste like)”.
November 28, 2010 @ 1:04 am
So did they take your advice?
January 24, 2011 @ 10:53 am
Oops, forgot to reply to this! Thankfully, they did.
February 12, 2011 @ 9:44 pm
I admit, I’m very new to whisky but I’m diving in with enthusiasm and I really think you should give this another chance. All snobbery aside, Bell’s Original is a fine drink these days. Very smooth, there’s nicely balanced trace of peatiness and a very moreish liquorice taste to the finish. After all, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible this year gave it a 91 and even used the word superb, so I think the descriptions of it as vile and comparison to lighter fluid could really stand some reassessment!
July 27, 2011 @ 4:24 pm
Well, I bought a bottle today. I toke a sip… thought it’s fine. Took some more then I raged. Meh… For same money you can get a red label and it’s times better in my opinion.
September 29, 2011 @ 4:30 am
Agree with you again but I still like this whiskey.