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'd rather drink petrol.glenlivet is a great distillery.how can they put this out.this has got to be what goes into blends.and they've decided to release it as one of thier own.and whats worse is we no longer get the awesome 12 year old.thanks to it being the biggest selling single malt in america.lucky yanks.well they were till january!.they'll probably sell even more when trump takes over.founders is drinkable with coke.but it's an expensive mixer.avoid.
Been a frequent drinker of the 12 year for quite some time, but this. This is gross. I would rather drink Cutty Sark
Bought this when my 12 year old ran out. Was a fan of the 12 and sorry to see it disappear from the shelves. Not a very complex whisky at all and was a little disappointed. My current batch of Glenlivet is made up of the 15 French Oak and Nadura 16 and now the Founders........ Bring back the 12 as the entry level Glenlivet the founders is not a patch on it.
Did a head to head comparison between this one the 12y. Not that much difference. Same family. Founders reserve a bit sweeter. Both watered down so not sharp to me. Easy to drink. I think both are dull but not that bad.
It is not as terrible as the snobs have portrayed. No where near. It is quite unfair to compare to its more mature brother at 12 yrs. The color is the first giveaway...it's much lighter on the palate...dare I say, nearly refreshing? There is a sweetness that takes my mind toward a rye, a smokey rye. Definitely hints of toffee, and maybe even a hint of something citrus. The GFR is certainly worth its pricetag, and good to have around for those friends who "show up" at cocktail hour looking to hit your finer bottles. A little ice might wake this GFR a little, making it a bit more refreshing. Folks need to avoid the complaining...we drank all the good stuff...this is far from terrible and a decent backup while we wait for the casks to mature again. Get some GFR and be open minded...be sure to swish under your tongue to get the full flavor. That vanilla and toffee will sneak up on ya!
