First revealed towards the end of 2014, the Founder's Reserve single malt Scotch whisky is now available in the UK and will be replacing The Glenlivet 12 year old in many of the mature markets despite initial indications that it would sit beside it, broadening the entry-level options. Named in tribute to distillery founder George Smith, it's packaged in Georgian blue.
Some dates then what at first appears to be a touch of salinity, but is better described as a slightly sharp plum and apricot wine note. There's orange zest, toffee, hints of struck match and chocolate raisins, but before this starts to sound 'Sherried' there's also pear drops, a dusting of sweet cinnamon, honeysuckle and sweet pea.
Fruity, then sweet, more toffee, a touch of anise, then into milk chocolate Flakes, banoffee pie and apple turnovers.
Creamy toffee to the fore now, a little oak and sweet barley sugar warmth too. Milk chocolate raisins linger.
Perhaps a little sweet, but it would work well with ice where the sweetness would be slightly suppressed - and before you shudder with disgust, Alan Winchester said that he liked his with a little ice sometimes too. And if it's good enough for the Master Distiller...
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I thought the whole point of this whisky was to look back to another time in history and pay tribute to the founding father George Smith and the early distilling methods. So I'd like to ask all the people who have harshly criticised it here if they were around in 1824 to know exactly how "good" whisky tasted back then and if not, whether perhaps they'd like to travel back in time to tell those pioneers how it should be done! In 1998, Windows 98 on our computers was fantastic and top of the range but over time things develop and change and now it wouldn't meet our expectations. But there'd be no Windows 10 without Windows 98. So approach Founders Reserve for what it is - a tribute and a different taste that's a nod to the history books.
I have had two bottles now. It compares poorly with the 12 year old. Waterey weak flavour. I ask myself why did they bring this foul product to market.
It a nice whisky and its now a year drinking it and enjoy it always
Bought my first bottle of Founders Reserve and found it easy to drink if not a bit young tasting, with a creamy aftertaste. Just opened my 3rd bottle and its anise and woody as can be and feels like my tastebuds are rotting away, horrific and completely unpalatable. Not the most connoisseur of whisky drinkers but the difference and inconsistency is overwhelming.
This is a solid NAS that any whiskey drinker should be proud to keep on the shelf, especially for 35-40 bucks. Maybe others just dont have a refined enough palate to pick up the slight nuances to be found throughout this amazing spirit. (Yes the 12 is [slightly] better)
