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)”.