Review: Dewar’s The Champions Edition 19 Years Old (2026)

Dewar’s Champions Edition, which celebrates golf and the U.S. Open, enters its sixth year with the launch of Champions Edition 2026, inspired by the terrain of the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, which was finished in Cabernet Franc red wine casks from Hamptons-based winery the Wölffer Estate.

Dewar’s The Champions Edition 19 Years Old (2026) Review

I’ve long complained that red wine barrels and Scotch don’t often mix, but master blender Stephanie Macleod has hit on something quite charming and unexpected here. Sweet and mildly toasty on the nose, the whisky evokes aromas of baked apple and sesame cookies, followed by a surprisingly floral element featuring white flowers and a touch of potpourri. Rich and enveloping, it’s one of the more aromatically developed entries in the series in recent memory.

The palate is on equal standing, quite honeyed with a slick of oak to back it up. Red fruits become more dominant here along with some chocolate notes and some caramel. Apple butter continues the fruit-heavy theme until an edge of citrus emerges, giving the finish a sharper edge. Oak fades into the background, with hints of gingery fruitcake lingering on the conclusion.

All told, it’s a rare experience that manages to be both elegant and fully engaged at the same time.

86 proof.

B+ / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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