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...
Isn't taste subjective? I'm a casual, but firm fan of the original. For my pallete, this is an extention of the original, it retains a few characteristics of the original. It's different, new and has a lot going on. It is a bit harder, and rougher but the aftertaste is electric. Warmed in the hand, it releases a lot more of its potential and after about 6 bottles, I have to say its now a favourite. Embrace change!! Don't compare it too much to the original. Just try it without expectation.
The 12 YO was my main drink until now so this is a huge disappointment. The brigands at the supermarket replaced the 12 YO with this crap but at the same price and I'm not going to buy this anymore. Tastes rough and immature... I will probably use the rest of the bottle for cocktails.
Dont be put off by all the negative reviews on this one.. Tastes almost identical and on the same level as the 12 yr old.. And depending on your pallette it may be even better.
Smells like Old Smuggler and tastes like Scottish Clan. Why on Earth did you do this?
I usually resist NAS expressions, not because young is necessarily bad (Benromach 5 is excellent) but on principle, my token protest against the NAS slide into homogeneity and deceit. However, a mate bought a bottle and although it was one-dimensional it was alright so at the price I bought another and it's utterly horrid - so that's far from homogeneous, but not in a good way. Day One was a write-off, completely unpalatable so I let it breathe / open up and crossed my fingers. Day Two: Nose: the inside of a 13 amp plug, cheap metal and new plastic; as though there's been an electrical fire; dust burning on the bars of a long-unused electric fire. Palate: harsh, brittle; packet-mix creme caramel without the nice custardy bit and only the bitter caramel topping with the sugar removed; shudder it down or spit it out. Finish: mercifully abrupt, but then so is a gunshot wound. Overall impression: properly nasty, my new least favourite dram. I'm going the way I did with Macallan and won't buy Glenlivet without an age statement.
