At least once a week I hope to taste something “new” or not as well known and jot down a few notes about it. My last trip through the ABC store brought not only something new but something I found to be whimsical. In the Scotch section was a black and white fashioned box with the picture of an agitated sheep half way out of a whiskey barrel. The product was labeled SHEEP DIP, a Malt Whisky (notice the “e” is missing in Scotch) and it is woven from 16 single malt whiskies. The individual whiskies are aged anywhere from 8 to 21 years. This gives this product a certain maturity that I think should earn it some respect. This is evidently an old brand that has been discarded by a larger company and purchased by a smaller enterprising company.

I started with about an ounce and a half of the product and introduced a splash of cold brita water to open it up. In short, I found this product to be very pleasing! I was prepared for something harsh and not that complex. What I found was the opposite. I found this product to be a nice amber colored Scotch that had a slightly soft nose and bright aroma to it. As it rolled through my mouth I experienced full complex flavors and really imagined a warm spicy mature orange within the mix. The finish was very clean and as I waited for the after taste to set in, it gently rolled away to a nice finish.

SHEEP DIP was acknowledged by Whisky magazine as “seriously good stuff”

I would label this as a great buy, around $39 for the 750ml bottle which puts it in the same area as Johnny Walker Red. I think it would be better compared to the JW Black or Green in quality though.