Nose The nose is rich with oak, winter spice, cinnamon and cloves, before a concoction of fudge, peanut brittle and vanilla tablet rise. Wine-soaked petals, honeyed sultanas and apple blossom linger below, before a touch of foam banana sweetness and gentle wisps of smoke appear.
Palate Nutty at first, with layers of oily walnut complemented by ground nutmeg and chewy, tannic oak. Full and rich notes of stewed rhubarb and apples emerge with confidence, as does a glaze of Manuka honey. A pinch of fennel brings a clean and elegant spice.
Finish Lightly oily and long, there’s a lingering note of liquorice root.
Overall As devastatingly delicious as it is distinctive, this Glenlivet seems almost tailor-made for an Emerald cocktail (A Manhattan with a dash of orange/Angostura bitters).