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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Worse than Johnnie Walker Red Label. Significantly worse than the Glenlivet 12. It has a thin and unpleasant taste. Avoid and move up to the 18 if the 12 isn't available.
Most enjoyable. Nice and smooth for me. A little more sweeter than I normally go for but was a bargain at £22 for 70 cl. I'm more accustomed to the Glenlivet 18year old but thought I'd give this a try. Good value at that price.
Very bland in comparison to many. I could taste the toffee, but it's very subtle. Not a particularly exciting or even slightly complex taste, but smooth. The nose suggests much more than the taste delivers. I hope I don't sound like a wankstain. I try new whiskies regularly, but this one was a bit "meh".
Won it in a raffle and enjoyed it immensely, must admit I was bolloxed once I was halfway down the bottle inside half an hour though, so the nose of dates and apricot wine and palate of toffee milk chocolate flakes and anise were somewhat lost on me. The wife enjoyed hers with coke and we both had a right wobble on when we got off the settle on the way to bed !!! Highly recommend if you ask me ?
Sweet and excellent over a marble ice cube .big boy drink
