Product: Dewar's White Label Producer: Dewar's Distillery Approximate Retail Value: $29.99 for 750ml Category: Scotch Whisky Country of Origin: Scotland Reviewer: D. Kearney Sparano The F Words: Flavor – Sweet, slightly smoky. Feel – Soft, with a tingle. Finish – A subtle bite.

Rating:

Scotch is probably one of the most respected forms of whiskey of any alcohol. When I think about scotch, I think about my mother and my childhood. When I was a child, scotch was the drink my mom enjoyed responsibly, often when we were out to dinner. So it is with a bit of nostalgia that I review Dewar’s White Label.
           
Scotch can be broken down into two groups: single malt and blended. Dewar’s White Label is blended from 40 single malts and grain scotch whiskies including Alberfeldy (according to Dewars.com). The main distillery in Alberfeldy is located in the Highlands of Scotland, which is one of the four whiskey regions in Scotland. Highland whiskey is considered to have a wide range of flavors varying from fruity to smoky. At Dewars.com, they claim that Alberfeldy has a honey and heathery flavor and that this translates to the White Label since it is the base of the blend. Blending of scotch is not unlike the blending of wines in France and Italy. The purpose is the same; to take many flavor elements and create a stronger product. Since whiskey can vary, it is the job of the master blender to ensure the quality of the product. Currently, the master blender is Stephanie MacLeod.
           
There are several ways to drink scotch. You can have it neat, which can be with a little bit of water or not. Most professionals drink it with water as it helps release other flavors and aromas masked by the alcohol. Another way is with ice. Some abhor it if you drink single malt with ice but since this is a blend, it should be acceptable. I tried it with no water, some water and with ice. You could also make a cocktail with Dewar’s.
           
Upon first pouring the whiskey into the glass, no water yet, you are greeted with the wonderful light amber color. The aroma has a strong alcohol tinge accompanied with scents of sweetness and smokiness. Sipping it, the sweet flavor hits the tip of your tongue immediately but not the alcohol bite, which waits and comes into play at the back of the mouth and throat.
           
With water, the power of the alcohol is indeed subdued a bit. The honey flowery notes that are promised come forth in the aroma as well as in the taste. Water also helps the White Label coat the tongue. Where as before it seemed to jump to the back and deliver all the bite in the throat, now there is a gentle tingle surrounding the tongue. The finish, to me, is much softer and more palatable. Ice goes further then water; both the alcohol, as well as the sweet aromas, are muted. The bite is all but gone; it can be felt slightly in the back of the throat. The sweetness, though, does jump out at you when tried with ice.
           
My recommendation would be to try all three ways as well and decide for yourself what you enjoy more. Dewar’s White Label is something that I would enjoy before a meal, but not during a before-dinner drink if you will. You can also go to Dewars.com and check out the cocktails section for recommendations on how to enjoy their product. I find it to be an excellent product and good place to begin if you want to get into scotch. It is easily found, affordable and good to use for cocktails. No home bar would be complete without it.