inver house vs clan macgregor
[11] After the rising, when the MacGregors were returning home, no-one ventured to interfere with them when they strode across Atholl, with their flying colours they strode passed Finlairg Castle where according to one source the Clan Campbell militia "durst not move more than pussies", and the MacGregors defying in broad day light the out posts which Lord Campbell of Glenorchy had established in the passes. [3] However, in 1570, he was captured and killed by the Campbells. Stop in today to learn more, or give us a call at 585-377-1860.You can also write to us via email through our website’s contact page.Thanks for making Lisa’s Liquor Barn the best place to shop for wine and spirits in A "dawn busters" taste challenge! Piney wood and hints of berry fruitiness offset a slightly sugary profile on Old Smuggler, but the harsh booziness and paint thinner-esque nose are major turn-offs. [7] The chief of Clan Colquhoun, in response, had been granted a royal commission to suppress the MacGregors. [3], During the 1745 uprising, some of Clan Gregor fought at the Battle of Prestonpans with the Jacobite army under the Duke of Perth. Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident brown liquor geek. [3] Two hundred men of the Clan Gregor fought for the Earl of Glencairn in what was known as Glencairn's rising, against the Commonwealth. [3] They were hunted like animals and flushed out of the heather by bloodhounds.[3]. *See offer details. The most expensive scotch in this bottom-shelf tasting also happens to be the only single malt of the bunch, which isn’t terribly surprising. What’s that? Click here to view all entries in the series. Restrictions apply. The description mentions at one point that it’s made from “light-bodied” whiskies, which is a nice way of saying that it doesn’t taste like much—sweet and slightly grassy, with an odd, almost grapey, medicinal fruit note that seems decidedly on the artificial side. [17] (The "E'en do but spair nocht" bit is Scots. [3] He supported the Jacobite cause in 1715 and after the Battle of Sheriffmuir he set out plundering at will. It shares most of the same pitfalls as the previous Scoresby, being so mild in terms of barrel-derived flavors that you’re left with pure ethanol being one of the major flavor drivers—and that’s never going to be a good thing in cheap scotch. Clan MacGregor undoubtedly looks like cheap stuff, and just glancing at the label makes you wonder how many cheap blended scotch brands out there probably have similarly tribal-sounding names. Entries were judged by how much we enjoyed them for whatever reason, not by how well they fit any kind of preconceived style guidelines. Inver House Green Plaid Very Rare Scotch Whisky, 3. [3] The succession of Eian was supported by the Campbells, and he married a daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy. Johnnie Walker Red Label- introduced in 1909 (1867). With a name like “Old Smuggler,” you’d almost expect for this to be a bottle of rum rather than scotch, would you not? [3], Additionally, John Drummond, of Clan Drummond was the king's forester and was subsequently murdered after hanging a number of MacGregors for poaching. Therein lies the rub—because they need to mature longer, thanks to the fact that scotches traditionally make use of used barrels rather than freshly charred oak, the base price for scotch tends to be higher as a result when compared with American bourbon (see our cheap bourbon tasting here). I don’t doubt that to seasoned single malt scotch drinkers, Lismore would likely seem “thin” or “basic,” but in this field of bottom-shelf bottles under the $25 price point, it drinks like royalty. "Mac Gregor of Mac Gregor, Chief of Clan Gregor", "Buffalo Plaid's 100-year old Mysteries Finally Solved", A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins, "Greigia Regel, Index Seminum (LE, Petropolitanus) 1864(Suppl. — All scotches were tasted neat, over the course of two days. The aroma is of fairly bold grain whisky, with a shadow of … As I stated above, we were genuinely surprised by the lack of overt smokiness/peatiness present in a lot of the cheaper blended scotches, but that just made this particular flavor characteristic stand out more when it did show up. Still, this is the kind of scotch that will definitely make its presence felt as a mixer—it’s going to shine through strongly in any standard mixed drink, which is probably what you want. Macgregor at, there was a $2.00 off coupon for either Clan or grants. [3] The chiefship was claimed by his son, Alistair, but he was unable to stem the Campbell's persecution of his kinsmen, who over time became known as the Children of the Mist, a name associated with the MacGregors due to the extent of their losses. [3] The clan's most famous member is Rob Roy MacGregor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $16.99 (for a 1.75 L bottle!). [3], Most modern historians agree that the first chief of Clan Gregor was Gregor of the golden bridles. He is buried in Balquhidder churchyard. Clan MacGregor Scotch Whisky ist ein feiner schottischer Blended Scotch Whisky der aus insgesamt 15 verschiedenen, in Eichenfässern gereiften Whiskys komponiert wurde. Oh wait. If budget is your #1 concern, this is what you should be seeking out. It seems like I never shut up about Old Crow and Eagle Rare, which is why it was disconcerting to discover that I like Scotch a lot more than I'd ever admitted to myself. Clan MacGregor whisky honours the MacGregors, one of Scotland’s oldest clans. Whereas American bourbon (and especially rye) whiskey, rum, tequila, mezcal and gin have all seen surges, scotch hasn’t quite had the same attention, nor has it been reclaimed as a cool hipster drink in your average dive. [3] His son was Sir Evan, who played a part in the visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822, where he and his clansmen were given the tremendous honour of guarding the Honours of Scotland, better known as the Scottish Regalia and the oldest set of crown jewels in the British Isles.[3]. An Act of the Scottish Parliament from 1617 stated[9] (translated into modern English): It was ordained that the name of MacGregor should be abolished and that the whole persons of that name should renounce their name and take some other name and that they nor none of their name and that they nor none of their posterity should call themselves Gregor or MacGregor under pain of death ... that any person or persons of the said clan who has already renounced their names or hereafter shall renounce their names or if any of their children or posterity shall at any time hereafter assume or take to themselves the name of Gregor or MacGregor ... that every such person or persons assuming or taking to themselves the said name ... shall incur the pain of death which pain shall be executed upon them without favour. Big smoke is present on the nose, and a bacon-like savoriness, but it stops short of omnipresence. [3] Eight hundred and twenty six MacGregors subscribed to a petition declaring General John Murray of Lanrick to be the true chief. The society states that people who bear the following surnames, or who descend from a woman with one of the following surnames, is eligible for membership. It still apparently has fans out there, but if you’re drinking this on a daily basis … we’re a little concerned about you. [3] Rob Roy was undoubtedly a thorn in the flesh of the government until he died in 1734. On the palate, a pleasant honey sweetness dukes it out with the smoke and earthy, musty flavors of peat-smoked malt. — Scotches were judged completely blind by how enjoyable they were as individual experiences and given scores of 1-100, which were then averaged. Cutty Sark has a profile that will almost seem familiar to lovers of hop-forward American craft beer styles—lemony citrus pops big on the front end, supported by moderately assertive honey sweetness, apple fruitiness and a hint of green resin and peaty earth. ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $16.99 (for a 1.75L bottle!). [7], In April 1603 James VI of Scotland issued an edict that proclaimed the name of MacGregor as "altogidder abolisheed". The nose of this whisky is light, but brutal. The Famous Grouse has been the top-selling scotch in Scotland for decades, which is a bit like saying it’s the scotch equivalent to Bud Light in the U.S.—cheap-ish, mass-produced, dependable and “good enough,” although not the top of the class. In order: MacGregor Red and Green, MacGregor Red and Black, MacGregor of Cardney, MacGregor of Glengyle and MacGregor Green. [3], Iain of Glenstrae died in 1519 with no direct heirs. The first thing one can’t help but notice is textural, rather than flavor—this scotch benefits heavily from being all-malt rather than a blend of malt and grain whiskies, which gives it a thicker (but also velvety smooth) texture in comparison with the cheaper blends. Allaster MacGregor of Glenstra, at the head of a large body of his clan, which also included men from the Clan Cameron, all armed with hagbuts, pistols, murrions, mailcoats, axes, two-handed swords, darlochs, and other weapons, advanced into the territory of Colquhoun of Luss. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time, though, until scotch sees its moment in the sun? Scoresby Very Rare Blended Scotch Whisky, 5. This is further proof that sometimes you get what you pay for. All Rights Reserved, The Rankings: All 10 Scotches, Ranked From Worst to Best, 10. We won’t lie—Cluny is an odd duck, but it’s better (or at least more interesting) than the dregs at the bottom of this list. Sign in When you buy something through our link, we may earn a small commission. Fresh grass and wildflower honey/floral notes are present, with a slightly “buttery” character that modifies the fruit notes in such a way that one taster described it as “apple butter.” Otherwise on the mild side, there isn’t much earthy peat present here, nor any smoke to speak of. Please note, the $25 cutoff means certain mid-shelf brands such as Monkey Shoulder or Chivas Regal missed the tasting by a few bucks, as they can’t reliably be had for less than $25. Stop in today to learn more, or give us a call at 585-377-1860.You can also write to us via email through our website’s contact page.Thanks for making Lisa’s Liquor Barn the best place to shop for wine and spirits in Slightly hot, with a long-lasting aftertaste of malt, honey and char, it’s certainly not lacking in character, and would probably make for a good companion with a couple cubes of ice. [3] In recognition of this, Charles II of England repealed the proscription of the name, but William of Orange reimposed it when Charles's brother James VII was deposed. Even at $25, pushing the very tip-top of our allowed price range, it stands out from the pack in all the right ways. Clan Gregor or Clan MacGregor[3] [ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠ ˈɣɾʲikɪɾʲ]) is a Highland Scottish clan that claims an origin in the early 800s. Clan MacGregor, one of the world's fastest growing major Scotch whisky brands, is enjoyed in over 60 countries around the world, from the USA to Venezuela and the Middle East to Thailand. And with all of the new drinks that have been developed with the likes of mezcal in mind, perhaps some could be ported over to the original smoky European liquor: Scotch! It’s not winning any points for presentation—this bottle pretty much looks like rotgut—but inside, you’ll find a surprisingly good blended scotch. Already a member? Need to communicate to the audience that this is a suave, sophisticated gentleman? [26], 17th century, clan conflicts and civil war, Scott, Sir W, Manners, customs and history of the Highlanders of Scotland ; Historical account of the clan MacGregor, p.121–124. [3] There is also a tradition that Gregor was the brother of Kenneth MacAlpin. ): 13 (1865)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clan_Gregor&oldid=1010887288, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Macaldowie || Macara ||Macaree || MacChoiter, This page was last edited on 7 March 2021, at 21:50. In the battle of the smokier blended scotches, we have to give the nod to Dewar’s. [3] The Campbells had already built Kilchurn Castle which controlled the gateway to the western Highlands and they harried the MacGregors who were forced to retire deeper into their lands until they were restricted to Glenstrae. Following the Battle of Glen Fruin in 1603, the MacGregors massacred over 140 members of the clan Colquhoun and a party of schoolboys who had simply come to watch the fight. [3] The chief took responsibility for the murder and it was condemned by the Privy Council. [3] His son was Iain Camm One eye, who succeeded as the second chief sometime before 1390. © 2021 Paste Media Group. [3] This is alluded to in the clan's motto: "Royal is my race". [7] MacGregor split his force in two and while the main MacGregor force and the Colquhouns engaged in combat, the second MacGregor force attacked the Colquhouns from the rear. [3] The clan's most famous member is Rob Roy MacGregor of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Although it scored fine across all the tasters, this was honestly one of the less memorable brands in contention—it’s mild and approachable, but doesn’t have much in the way of signature flavors. The difference was shockingly apparent—the intensity of the smoke in Johnnie Walker Red gets smoothed out and much more perfectly integrated into the overall presentation in the bottle of Black, and the entire profile greatly benefits from 12 years of aging. Membership is available for individuals who can show evidence of descent or a family tradition of MacGregor connection. Descendants of Rob Roy MacGregor settled around McGregor, Iowa, and in 1849, it was reported that the original MacGregor seal and signet was owned by Alex McGregor of Iowa. Dewar’s “White Label” Blended Scotch Whisky. Where would the likes of Mad Men have been without it? Slightly vegetal, burnt and savory on the nose—like a BBQ with a bunch of different things on the grill—this one opens up with peppery spice and some apple fruitiness on the palate that give it a bit of dimension beyond the smoke. Pricing, promotions and availability may vary by location and at So it is with “36 months old” Scoresby, which has the audacity to proclaim itself as “very rare,” among other things. Okay, maybe there’s a little bit of glazed almond, but that’s a After a bit more nosing, I really start to smell just ethanol and not much else. This is absolutely what you should keep stocked in a 1.75L bottle for the sole purposes of making scotch-and-sodas or other mixed drinks where the quality of the scotch doesn’t really matter. People with the names from this list are properly the domain of other Clan and Family societies, however the MacGregor clan welcomes inquiries from persons bearing these names who can show their descent from a MacGregor who adopted the name as an alias. [3] Though there is little evidence to support this tradition,[3] it is supported by the Scottish historian, William Skene,[5] It is possible that the eponymous Gregor from whom the family derives may have been Griogair, son of Dungal, who was allegedly co-ruler of Alba. Free shipping on orders of $35+ or same-day pick-up in store. [26], The following names are documented aliases of MacGregor from the proscription. Clan MacGregor Scotch Whisky ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $11.49 This is the point where we start getting slightly—that’s “slightly,” mind you—better in terms of overall profile. Inver House is a so-so Scotch whisky, earning a 75 out of 100. The only compliments it received were from those who preferred very mild scotches, but those were few and far between. [3] In one such raid on Dumbarton, the town was put into panic and Dumbarton Castle was forced to open fire with its cannon. INVER HOUSE Scotch Whisky 0250 ABSOLUT WATERMELON Vodka 0251 BENJAMIN CHAPMAN 7YR WHISKEY Canadian Whiskey 0253 BALLANTINES Scotch … We must be getting into the halfway decent selections, then. I have nothing to share but great sadness. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing. [3] He was an outlaw who raided cattle and sheltered in the high glens. At an MSRP of roughly $35, it’s one of the clearest indications of what kind of quality an additional $15 will buy you at the liquor store. When compared to some of the plastic-capped bottles that come in at half its price, what you’re paying for here is a greater assertiveness of flavor and more distinct “scotchyness” that comes along with the increased presence of peat and smoke. Choose from the world's best and finest brands at a single place! [7] Colquhoun assembled a force of five hundred foot and three hundred horse and advanced to Glen Fruin to repel the Highland raiders. [3] Murray was in fact a MacGregor who was descended from Duncan MacGregor of Ardchoille, who had died in 1552. Get the finest collection of Whiskey at great price on GotoLiquorStore. [3] In 1604, MacGregor and eleven of his chieftains were hanged at Mercat Cross, Edinburgh. Their renowned history dates back to the 14th century and our bottle proudly displays the Lion’s Head Crest, the symbol of the Clan … This feels very much like a “training wheels” sort of scotch, but for the price, it’s an absolute steal. Note: Out of curiosity, and because we happened to have a tiny sample bottle of Johnnie Walker Black in the Paste office as well, we tasted the two side-by-side after revealing that day’s whiskies. A label you probably recognize as having actually seen on liquor store shelves in the past? Toffee-like caramelization is present to a degree, giving the sweetness more character than the “sugar syrup” quality present in so many cheap scotches. Some of the bottles we used in the tasting were merely pints, but every brand on this list was available for $25 or less on Total Wine at the time of purchasing. It's easy to find the best Whiskey for you. Several score sheets use some words akin to “watered down,” while another insists upon Scoresby’s “sweaty” aftertaste. Plenty of dark sugar, toasted nuts and a subtle grassy note on the nose, followed by dried fruit, white pepper and There’s still not a terrible lot to cover up the raw alcohol flavors, and one taster’s sheet still tags its booziness as possessing a “medicinal” quality, but you could probably safely mix this with some ginger ale and be no worse for the wear. — This is a tasting of scotches, with a strict price limit of $25 or less for a 750 ml bottle. — All scotches in this tasting were acquired directly from liquor stores in Georgia. [4], The Clan Gregor held lands in Glen Orchy, Glenlochy and Glenstrae. Scotch sort of occupies an unusual position in the modern alcohol hierarchy, doesn’t it? Cluny is considerably more sweet and fruity than the other blended scotches in this bracket, with an unusually tropical, almost banana-like note on the nose and moderate acidity on the palate, which lends it a slightly sour twang. Certainly this can compete with many other single malts that are found at $10-20 above its price range, which makes it a steal. [3] As a result, the Clan Gregor was scattered, with many taking other names such as Murray or Grant. Product description Medium to light gold in color. Shop Target for Roe & Co Whiskey you will love at great low prices. Some of Clan Gregor were among the Jacobite force that was defeated at the Battle of Littleferry in 1746 in Sutherland,[10] and therefore missed the Battle of Culloden that took place the next day. Membership is available for individuals who can show evidence of descent or a family tradition of MacGregor connection. An Edinburgh burgess, Robert Birrel, who kept a diary of events at the time, described the episode thus, [MacGregor] wes convoyit to Berwick be the Gaird to conforme to the Earl's promese: for he promesit to put him out of Scottis grund. This is a bombastic mixing scotch, but not one you’d ever call balanced. I’m thinking that I’ll be adding the Inver House Blended Scotch Whisky to that list. INVER HOUSE Scotch Whisky 0250 ABSOLUT WATERMELON Vodka 0251 BENJAMIN CHAPMAN 7YR WHISKEY Canadian Whiskey 0255 ABSOLUT CLEVELAND INDIANS SET … General Remarks: Inver House Distillers was founded in Scotland in 1964 as a subsidiary of Publicker Industries USA. ), Many tartans are associated with the name MacGregor. As far as we’re concerned, this is the best, most balanced scotch you can get for less than $25. Clan MacGregor Scotch nose is fruity dried apricots,caramel, and vanilla. And if you can get it for less than $20? Clan Gregor or Clan MacGregor[3] [ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠ ˈɣɾʲikɪɾʲ]) is a Highland Scottish clan that claims an origin in the early 800s. The nose is more distinctly oak-forward than others, with traces of tartness, honeyed sweetness and just a touch of peat. For decades, high-end scotch was the most sure sign of “cool” available to screenwriters and set decorators. Drizly partners with liquor stores near you to provide fast and easy Alcohol delivery. [7] The Colquhouns were driven into the Moss of Auchingaich where their cavalry was useless and over two hundred Colquhouns were killed. The prefixes M', Mc and Mac are considered interchangeable, and other spelling variations are also omitted from this list. [3], The barony of Loch Awe which included much of the MacGregor lands was granted to the chief of Clan Campbell by Robert the Bruce. This is like something you pour three fingers of for yourself halfway through the night, when you’re already slightly buzzed and you want some basic scotch to sip. This being a Speyside single malt, which are typically described as “light and grassy,” Lismore does not possess the prominent peat/smoke characteristics we saw in Johnnie Walker Red or Dewar’s—rather, it’s a much more balanced dram that combines subtle earthiness with delicious notes of honeycomb, green apple, toasted bread and baking spices. Hey look, we’re making progress! [26], The following names are other clan names that are known to have been used by the MacGregors. [26], The following names are traditional aliases of MacGregor with little documented evidence. Boasting about the number of whiskies in a blend also doesn’t exactly imply supreme quality—30, in this particular case. I'm wondering if their is some … Both are 80 proof, aged 3 years, and imported, from Scotland.Clan MacGregor- introduced in 1934. There are, after all, no shortage of classic scotch cocktails such as the Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, Presbyterian or Penicillin. Thus, it’s all the more important to find the brands that can deliver VALUE for your dollar. A William Grant brand. It’s just a very standard, young-ish, mildly malty and well-balanced starter scotch that goes down easy in terms of neat drinking. The legend of Green Plaid is even more ancient than the distilling of Scotch whisky. International society based in Scotland for those descended from or bearing the name of MacGregor. [3] The Clan is also known to have been among the first families of Scotland to begin playing the bagpipes in the early 17th century. [3], Colin Campbell refused to recognize the claim of Gregor Roy MacGregor to the estates, and for ten years Gregor waged a war against the Campbells. Yes, Inver House was beaten by the next four entries, but take note—they all cost considerably more. Both are 80 proof, from Scotland, and aged at least 3 years. Lightly earthy flavors of grass, citrus pith and biscuity malt provide ample balance. The Scottish Gaelic clan seal was inscribed, "Triogal Ma Dh'ream/Een dhn bait spair nocht", which was interpreted as "I am of royal descent/Slay and spare not". Regardless, this one is a bit more palatable than its predecessors, possessing slightly more malty body and hints of pleasant pink peppercorn spiciness. Regardless, this is a cheap, plastic-capped blended scotch that has apparently been around for decades, and it seems like it has its fans—but once again we assure you that you can most definitely do better, even in this rock bottom price range. Tasters who rated it highly appreciated the intensity of its smoky bouquet, while those who were a bit more reserved felt like the smoke overpowered any nuance. However, only the following are recognized as "clan tartans" by the current chief of Clan Gregor:[18], The following table lists clan names and sept names recognized by the Clan Gregor Society. When a bottle of cheap, blended scotch displays its age in months rather than years, that’s rarely a good sign. I'm wondering if their is some sort of colaberation going on. Have Inver House Scotch Whiskey delivered to your door in under an hour! [12], Persecution of the MacGregors did not end until 1774, when the laws against them were repealed. Diageo. [3] According to Iain Moncreiffe the MacGregors were descended from an ancient Celtic royal family, through the Abbots of Glendochart. This list is part of a Paste series of bottom shelf liquor and craft beer style tastings. Buy a case. William Williams (1920) Major William Williams' Journal of a Trip to Iowa in 1849. Rob Roy MacGregor and the “Children of the Mist" The MacGregors were legendary outlaws, known as the Children of the Mist, who suffered the extremes of State oppression. Photo by Celtus / CC BY-SA 3.0 There are a large variety of tartans associated with the MacGregor, but only the five tartans depicted above are recognized as Clan MacGregor tartans by the current clan chief. Certainly, it comes off as a bit more composed in comparison with the brash likes of Scoresby. This classic White Label, along with the Red Label that preceded it, were in a separate category from the rest of the cheap scotches in this tasting by virtue of their smokiness, but Dewar’s presents its flavors with just a little bit more sophistication and nuance than the blunt edge of the youngest Johnnie Walker. Clan MacGregor, 40% ABV Blended Scotch whisky Nose: Light and fruity, kind of like the standard Jameson. [3] In 1547 Eian's son, Alistair, fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh but died shortly after. The entry is prickly with palate of caramel,all spice , ginger, and sandalwood ,The finish is black pepper, and ginger. … This is the point where we start getting slightly—that’s “slightly,” mind you—better in terms of overall profile. You’re not going to think this is anything other than scotch, that’s for sure. Certainly, if you’re in the market for cheap blending scotch, you can do a whole lot better than this. Decidedly on the mild side, with a slightly peppery, spicy nose, Inver House’s “Green Plaid” delivers a mild but pleasurable wisp of smokiness and peat on the palate. This is a 1 litre bottling of Clan MacGregor blended Scotch whisky - a good value-for-money blend right here, folks. [3], To restore pride in the clan, the chiefs needed to be re-established. [3], In response to the execution of two MacGregor clansmen in the year 1603,[6] Alasdair MacGregor marched into Colquhoun territory with a force of over four hundred men. And indeed, this is the point where quality takes a leap forward—from here on out, we wouldn’t mind drinking these scotches. It will take months of rigorous research in other people's liquor cabinets to know for sure, but if the $12.99 liter of Clan MacGregor I picked up last week is any indication, the Scots might win this war. Inver House Green Plaid is renowned for its quality and only the finest mature Scotch whiskies from over 20 distilleries are selected for this blend. The signet was a bloodstone from Loch Lomond, and was sketched by William Williams. Not quite as sweet or as intense in its flavors as some of the others, it drinks pretty easily and inoffensively, although if you were drinking it completely blind you might actually peg it as Irish whiskey rather than scotch, thanks to both its sweetness and relative lack of any smoky notes. This stuff is DIRT cheap, and far and away surpasses all of the other plastic-capped, ultra-value blended scotches—and has the most hilariously garish label, to boot. Inver House Green Plaid has an x.v.