In relation to the other blended whiskeys I´ve tried, Cutty Sark compared poorly. The first element was the harsh fuel-alcohol taste and lack of smoothness. I let the glass stand for a while before drinking. And I also tried it straight out of the bottle. With water the effect is diluted but nothing much developed. In a cocktail (with Dubonnet) the Cutty Sark made the Dubonnet less pleasant. Only Johnny Walker Red and Chivas Regal have equalled Cutty Sark for being this unsatisfactory.