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...
Love it
The best way I can think to describe this is to say that the middle of the whisky seems to be missing. You get that initial whisky hit on the tongue and a long afterburn but in between there is just ... Nothing. Just a sort of whisky flavoured water. It actually feels thin in the mouth. As a sort of bog standard daily whisky it works but it's priced as something better than that , so no.
Got this as it was on offer but rather disappointing, will stick with my favourite Highland Park 12 in future.
I have been drinking Glenlivet 12 year old for many a year, so tried Glenlivet founders reserve and to be honest was very disappointed, it will not ever replace the 12 year old. Words come to mind rubbish and a good waste of Scottish water which was used to produce it
This is simply a money grab by the maker to get people to buy a very inferior product.
