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...
In both smell and taste, you can still feel the raw unmatured whisky that is being poured into the casks for maturing. This is not very pleasant feeling, it loudly shouts "i'm cheap, I'm young". You can, however, already feel some carmel back in the nose, and a delicate characteristics of the oak, but this is still light, much still in the process of developing. This stuff is young indeed, yet the price is actually higher than 12-years-old (if you can still find it). It does not make sense to buy this whisky in my humble opinion. Probably the experience is best if you mix it with cola and add some ice, still - the price does not make sense.
For the price i'd say it's a fair deal. The smell is pretty enjoyable and it's not the most complex of all but it's really far from bad. I think people are just angry about the 12yo going out of market.
Feel bad for all the markets that this is going to be replacing the 12 yr old in. Nasty Stuff. Please leave the 12 yr alone in Canada!
Dissapointed that I haven't been able to find an age anywhere on the bottle or box, but saying that it's still palatable.
Purchased instead of the 12 yo by my good lady because it read "Glenlivet" on the label. My fault! As a single malt person, along with a good Irish triple distilled, I thought it deserves a try as I never take things as advertised but, what transpired was not what I thought would come from Speyside! I thank my lucky stars I added a little water before tasting as it came across quite sickly and sweet and had no depth of body like a good aged Speyside Malt. I can't recommend this tipple, sorry! To drown it with coke or another soft drink, as mentioned in other reviews, shows what it needs something added to be drunk but, not necessarily enjoyed. What next? A blue or red bottle? Let the master distillers of whisky .... make good whisky and you will only go from strength to strength. My best regards. PJJ
