Size: 173

A smoother, herbaceous Dewar’s finished in premium Mezcal casks.

John Dewar Sr. founded the company in 1846. But it was when his two sons — John Dewar Jr. and Thomas Dewar took over the business that it really took off. The lads expanded the brand into a global market leader by the end of the century with attention to detail, a fine product, and quite frankly some brilliant marketing. Along the way they pioneered the technique of "marrying" where a blended Scotch is re-casked to allow for a period of aging together. And there have been a few mergers and acquisitions along the way, but the company is now owned by Bacardi who largely leave them alone to work their magic across six major Scotch and Single Malt brands.

Dewar’s 8 Year Old Ilegal Smooth is one of two in their eight year-old "Smooth Blended" series of special editions. The Spirits starts with Dewar’s signature While Label blend of up to forty Single Malts and grain Whiskies. But they aged twice as long as normal (eight years). And this is where the "illegal" part comes in, because they finish the blend in ex-Mezcal casks from Oaxaca’s Ilegal Mezcal Distillery. The extra aging does wonders for the smoothness and the ex-Mezcal casks add an herbal earthiness.


Smartass Corner:
Dewar’s Whiskies have won more than 400 international awards in twenty countries.

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