Well part 3 of the UK trip – this time I got myself a blended scotch purely because it had the name ‘Claymore’ my personal choice of weapon. Sadly though much like its namesake this has perhaps too much edge, and it’s not good if you put it through your throat and stomach. I also get that a basket-edge single bladed sword can be called Claymore – but c’mon just put a picture of a stupid sword belonging to a Final Fantasy character on the bottle
I’m not joking when I say that this is comparable to E&J VS below, because much like how all high-class rums/tequilas/brandies can taste similar due to aging – I think the same amount of caramel coloring, burnt wood, and shitty mash can have akin tastes. This was the last of my purchases while in the UK (aside from a duty-free scotch to come in a few weeks), and it’s certainly the one I regret the most.
What they Say: “A FINE QUALITY BLEND OF SCOTCH WHISKIES DISTILLED AND BLENDED IN SCOTLAND.
The word “claymore” derives from the Gaelic “claidheamhmor” meaning great sword. It was originally applied to the large two edged and sometimes two handed sword used by the Scottish Highlanders. It is also commonly applied to the Highlanders’ basket hilted sword which was frequently single edged.”
Taste: 2.0 – That tastes like an awful brandy. Similiar really to E&J, but with a more ‘smoke’.
Aftertaste: 0.5 – It does actually get worse. Honestly that may be one of the worst aftertastes I’ve had. I nearly coughed every time.
Burn/Smooth: 3.5 – The brandy like flavor adds some sweetness which helps cut some of the burn, but oh yeah it does.
Aroma: 2.0 – I’m not sure if that’s whiskey and gasoline, or whiskey and turpentine. Based on the name it might actually be residue from quenching a blade, but either way it’s terrible.
Honesty: 8.0 – They don’t even go into their whisky, they don’t lie, and overall there’s nothing to remove points. Add that to the badass name, and the gutter taste – and this is without doubt worthy of the title of a sword.
Mixability: 4.0
W/ Rocks: 4.0 – That takes off some of the edge there, but this is still not good.
Value: 3.5 – It’s cheap sure, but not worth that much.
Google Shop Average: $14
Website: https://flaviar.com/distillery/the-claymore
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 2.0
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Metric Score: 23.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 3.35 |+| Reviewer Average: 2.0
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Final Thoughts: I guess the honesty really helped keep that score from falling off the edge, but goddammit did it deserve too. This is certainly one of the worst scotches to ever go on this site. At least I’d like to make that claim, but then there is Jura which all of us passionately loathe.
Really nice drink .
Very pleased .
Check out a photo of Claymore Scotch whiskey posted today on Facebook on the page of ‘Regina Doherty’ with the title- Irish Hopscotch.