Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve

This was my first dram from the eastern Highlands and seeing this is their entry-level dram I thought it be appropriate. I had this decantered before tasting.

The nose was rather sweet, with fresh fruits of green apple, some mellow honey and a touch of raisins.

On the palate it was rather fruity still but with a lot more pepper and spices, rather harsh on the feel. Which I've come to expect from entry-level NAS.

The fruitiness did not join on the finish, but instead offered a fair amount of smoky leather, plenty of spices and malt, rounded off by dark chocolate. Rather harsh still.

Overall I've quite enjoyed this dram for what it is and I just had to pick the right moment for it. Which goes for most drams really. A casual sipper with some kick to it.

15th January 2019

Minimal variety of flavours, tastes like rubbing alcohol and walnut husks. Not smooth or rounded at all, though haven’t tried any other Glen Garioch to compare it to. Slightly higher alcohol content but not overpowering.

27th October 2018

48% kinda killed it for me. If it were 43% it could be something great. I would say a missed opportunity, cause when you get invited by a great aroma and flavour you soon get your but kicked by a harsh goodbye.

22nd October 2018

A lovely gentle Scotch, flavoursome and pleasant. Love it.

23rd September 2018

Quite nice example of generic Highland flavour, marred by a ridiculous level of young alcohol burn.

12th July 2018

Quite nice and generic straight down-the-line Highland flavour, marred by an absurd level of young alcohol burn.

12th July 2018

Sorry everybody. I just never can find words for what I taste other than " it tastes like whisky " - this one like a very good one. Try the 12 year old which is even better.

1st June 2018

Wonderful sweet flavors, but not an easy drinker. It’s harsh, not smooth. But if you are prepared for the bite, the flavors are great.

7th May 2018

Sweet and malty. Barley notes and very pleasant nose. One of the best "Founders Reserves" out there. Of course the older ones are richer and more complex. But if one wants to get to know a very "malty" Single Malt, this is the one to start. (of coures I do miss the old peat smoke tough).

22nd April 2018

Great fruity notes and deep flavour... age irrelevant.

15th February 2018

I hadn’t heard of this before but I got a bottle of it a year ago as a gift and just tried it last week and was impressed. The smell was not very appealing at first but I let it breathe a bit and added a drop of water or two and dipped it...very good. Had hints of spice, vanilla and some dried fruit.

11th January 2018

Not very subtle; I guess you have to be in the mood for a strong shot. After knowing what to expect , I only drink it when I feel like having something that really kicks in. Compare it with a "stronger cigarette" then average, its ok, but you just have to be in the mood for it; at least I do.

21st December 2017

A fine after dinner whisky, very subtle and smooth.

5th June 2017

This stuff isn't easy to find here in California but I found it and I'm glad I did. I'm a big fan of these lightly sherried highlands and this is a really good one. You get the typical burning hay and honey flavor of a highland with a longer fruity/cinnamon finish from the sherry cask influence.Also for 48% actually very smooth and drinkable this is definitely a welcome addition to my whisky cabinet. The Sugarbear

5th December 2016

We enjoy it

21st November 2016

EXCELLENT SMELL

28th September 2016

I was given a litre bottle from a friend with airport connections and been delighted with its smooth caramel with a hint of nutmeg.

There's no age on this malt and the label says 46%.

Recommended!

3rd August 2016

Loads of flavor and smooth finish

23rd June 2016

What a beauty !

2nd March 2016

My husband bought this as a gift for me. This has just the right hint of smokiness to suit me. For me, a good scotch is one I like; I like it, hence the five-star rating. I drink my scotch neat, room temperature and no ice. I tried the Glen Garioch 12-year, and although it is good, I prefer this. I plan to work my way through all their offerings, however, based on my like of the gifted bottle of Founder's Reserve.

24th February 2016

A delicious malt and very moreish .It has rapidly become an indispensable adjunct to dinner. A gift of our first bottle from Akki Manson has created a habit certainly for the last few months which my neighbours enjoy also

14th January 2016

I stopped by the distillery recently while I was in the area and picked up a bottle as a souvenir. I was surprised to find that the bottle price here (with all the logistical considerations), is cheaper than it costs mere feet away from where it is created!

29th May 2015

With no age statement and a reasonable price tag I was mildly surprised, liquorice nose, the chocolate limes mentioned can be tasted, lingering warm smokiness, nice sipping drink at a very good price!

5th May 2015

I previously mentioned that this was leaps and bounds ahead of the 12 year, and I stand by this opinion, however Founder's Reserve has no age statement which I failed to include as part of the comment. It could be aged less than the 12, but I personally found more depth, intrigue, and complexity from a neat dram with the Founder's Reserve than I could with the 12.

25th February 2015

From a neat pour, I initially got the blue cheese amongst some cereal notes on the nose. After opening up there was more gingerbread and nutmeg sweetness coming thru. The palate is warm chocolate brownie and a touch of saltiness, like summer sausage. The finish is quick, slightly hot, with a touch of wood smoke and menthol at the very end, lending to somewhat of a minty aftertaste.

This dram holds the 48% quite well and presents it rather smoothly. Overall, a great tasting experience. Nice to find such unique notes on the nose and mint in the finish. Leaps and bounds ahead of the Glen Garioch 12 - which to me is quite dry and hot - and needs water to bring out the good stuff.

25th February 2015

A much younger dram than I've been having recently and I think that shows in the taste as things can seem a little muddled. The main bulk of the taste seems to be a mix of malt and toffee which gives way to a short peppery finish. I found that leaving it out to breathe for a bit helped stabalise the flavour and make it more enjoyable. Whilst it may not blow your socks off like a Dalmore can, it certainly is well worth what you pay for it.

10th December 2014

Lots of bright citrus marmalade aromas with toffee pecan Danish pastry. There is a bit of bite to the whisky but I think that adds to the overall texture, not at all heavy or gloopy but bright fresh and delightfully youthful.

10th December 2014

I found this malt to be very harsh, so much that it had to be tamed with an ice cube. Strange, because I always drink Scotch neat and I don't mind cask strength/high alcohol and usually don't have a problem. A friend bought the same malt at the same time and had the same issues. Flavour was nice but fairly undistinguished. I was lucky and found this on sale because I will not be buying this again. I may try the 12 year sometime in the future though, hopefully that offering will be more less harsh (and more mature) than the FR.

4th December 2014

A real surprise and very good value for the money. A beautiful sipping whisky. Diamond in the rough for sure. For me, I get leather with a bit of menthol and scotch mints. Unique, and enjoyable.

20th November 2014

Quite a find! A delightful contrast to the shocking peatiness of my beginning glass of Ardbeg 10.
No 1 and 2 for me in affordable single malts.

We in St Louis are fortunate to have the Wine and Cheese stores, with the flagship featuring
400 different single malt scotches! At unbeatable prices locally.

12th May 2014

Good stuff from Grampian, nae bother!;)

10th May 2014

Bought this product at World Duty Free Gatwick North Terminal on 12/04/2014 and paid £40.99.
So much for so called duty free prices!

27th April 2014

I had a sample of this at Molly Macphersons in Savannah. A great sipping drink with a light sweetness and a hint of dry.

30th October 2013

order a case when i got back to Missouri in USA. with a good cigar and friends what better can you ask for it is outstanding to me 5 out of 5

5th October 2013

My son got a bottle of this as a gift and I was horrified to see him trying to add lemonade....asked him why, he said, "Too strong for me, dad!" You will be glad to hear that I have now taken charge of this bottle of superior malt; the first time I have tried any of the Garioch clan and I am suitably impressed. Easy to drink, soft notes hint of sweeties....niiiice

4th April 2013

Comment in English

20th January 2013

A ganz a edler Dropfm! Da koo der Schaaflder fei nid midhaldn.

9th December 2012

Obtained a bottle duty free for a week in Portugal after having sampled both the 12 yo and this. Wonderful whisky and very well priced.
Recently re-tried both at a tasting event, and thought the 12 yo is even better. Depends on your mood - buy both.
Highly recommended.
BTW - Glen Garioch was lightly peated before 1994 (?) closure. Since reopening there is no peat.

24th July 2012

Had a drop of this at my Dad's this weekend and thought it was top. Much better than Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie (in my opinion) which are similar priced ones I've got at home. Excellent value.

12th April 2011