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...
Have enjoyed 12 year old Glenlivet many times in the past, but the Founder's Reserve is so revolting that I will never buy the brand again. I was seduced by the attractive blue packaging and the paper wrapping similar to the 12 year old. But this is cheap tasting with a nasty residue, overly sweet and sickly. Some commentators say it is like gasoline fuel, and some well-known brands are exactly that; but Founder's Reserve is not gasoline fuel because its sweetness makes it (barely) drinkable. I would classify this whisky as a cheap down-market supermarket own 'best buy' version. All the negative reviews it has gathered are 100% justified.
As a very new whisky drinker I cannot compare this bottle to many, as too many others have done when mentioning the "12 yo". What we have is a a bottle of whisky with a reasonable taste that is being 1 starred (not 2,3) just straight to 1 star by people who have enjoyed the "12 yo". Some appear very emotional as a result, which I fully understand but it influences their fairness. So I feel I have to remind everyone that reviews should never really be used to help one make a decision. If you can afford and you are interested enough, try it. I've opened my bottle 3 months after receiving it on Christmas, to drink to my 4th child coming. I wouldn't drink it on arrival, I'll be too deep in sh...nappies, courage for now. I have deducted half a star for the lack of information on the package regarding the bottle year. I deducted another half-star because while typing this review I was sipping away at the whisky, trying to find another flavor in it, so maybe without a lot of experience even I expect just a little something more to come easier. Ryan R. Bayne
It seems as though glenlivet put all their efforts into marketing the product, and no effort into quality control.
Very harsh on the palate and this develops into a synthetic sort of mild petroleum finish. Having loved the smoother than smoth S G Smiths 'the Glenlivet' over many years, this is a very dissapointing malt from a great Brand
I cannot come up with fancy terms and tasting notes as I am still new to the the whisky and whiskey world. However from a novice's perspective Glen Livet Founders reserve appears to be targeted at my exact demographic, the inexperienced whisky drinker that goes for fancy labels and shiny boxes I am happy that my first contact with Founders Reserve was only a tiny tasting bottle, this stuff is really miles away from Glen Livet 12, in no way does it compare to the Glen Livet products as it appears to be way to young and unsavory compared to the more mature stuff. For me this was a positive experience as I have learned that I do not favor the young grainy ones and favor the older more mature drams. I will never buy this again but I am glad I learned this lesson early one and without buying into this hype.
