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...
I've been drinking scotch for about 10 years now and by no means am I a sophisticed scotch drinker... in fact 80% of the scotch o drink is on with a rock or two. Which is why I am a big fan of easy drinking GlenLivet 12yo. Even with a minimal appreciation for complex Scotch... I can tell you from my first sip of Founder Reserve that it is not good. I am now contemplating pouring it out but hoping that I'll find an intoxicated buddy to drink it one night. And priced more than 12yo here in the states is extremely confusing... it really isn't good.
I'm about to get started in single malts, would you recommend it more than a glenfiddich?
Without a doubt, the most disappointing whisky I've tried all year. The Glenlivet 15 is a pretty good dram, so how on earth this can be so poor is beyond me. It's harsh and unpleasant tasting.
This bottling from Glenlivet deserves an applause as we in the UK no longer have access to the 12 year old Glenlivet any more. It may not taste the same as the 12 year old but in overall terms it is an excellent smooth whisky at a very reasonable price. May the tradition continue.
It does what I want it to do.
