This 15 year old expression from The Glenlivet, was matured in French Limousin Oak casks. Limousin Oak is a popular choice for maturation of Cognac.
The nose is rich and oaked. There are notes of chewy resinous wood with a well-balanced acidity. Fudge and Madeira with apple crumble with calvados.
The palate is full and rich with winter spice; cinnamon and cloves, thick oak with developing aridity.
The finish is long and dry with a peppery note.
Spices, toasted oak, brandied chocolates and oaky notes. Would expect a higher ABV at 15 years . A smooth dram in keeping with the Glenlivet expressions.
Definitely one of the best scotch whiskies I've had. I've paid much more for worse quality. Very smooth with a nice vanilla ,spice taste, at the finish. Great price and very good quality!
At nearly 5 stars, I was not disappointed by the rating or the taste. This is a fine balance of smoke, fruit, vanilla perhaps, none overbearing or offensive. This is one of the few Scotch whiskies I've had that is worth what it costs, and worth more than some I've had that cost twice the price.
So so close to being great. 40 ABV hurts it a bit. Vanilla and banana at first with a good woody cinnamon finish. Adding a touch of water doesn't really help aroma or taste.
For whatever it's worth, I'm a long-time Lead Guardian of the chapter of Glenlivet Guardians where I live. Really, this just means I get to enjoy Glenlivet on a regular basis, gratis. So I'm very well-acquainted with not only their core range, but some of their more uncommon bottlings, too. Of all the expressions I've sampled, I keep returning to the 15 again and again. I have a large collection of whisky at home, and the only Glenlivet I have is the 15 -- two liter-sized bottles. This expression has a terrific balance of fruity sweetness, a hint of spice, nuttiness, and a smooth, round character that the 12 doesn't quite achieve, and the 18 frankly overshoots. I like all the whiskies in the Glenlivet core range, with the possible exception of the NAS Founder's Reserve (have tasted it several times, will never buy that one), but the 15 is the standout for me, both for its taste and character, and for its price-to-quality ratio. Much cheaper than the 18 and for me, a more enjoyable Scotch to drink, too. Easy to sip neat or with a chip of ice. It's chill-filtered as far as I know, and just 40% ABV, so neither a need nor a benefit to add water, IMO. (Rated 4.5 stars for the whisky in relation to the price I pay for it.)
