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...
Bring back the standard 12 yo, this needs more time in the cask. Undercooked. Fear for glenlivet if this is to be their standard offering
I am sorry to report that the Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a huge disappointment. My favourite whisky without peer is (was) the 12YO, as it was silky smooth with the complex citrus, heather, honey and light smoky characteristics which, to my palate, made it the best value for money whisky in the world. The Founder's Reserve is simply not a great single malt; it is at best adequate, but ultimately disappointing. There are a number of lower-priced blended Scotches which far surpass this for smoothness and taste; both initial and savoured. Sorry, but to quote from another great British institution - I "Won't Get Fooled Again"!
I was surprised to see that there was no age on the label or back label. That suggested that the bean counters had been at work to reduce the average age. The tasting notes on the box were incredibly misleading. AT our family tasting (2 Scots from Muir of Ord and one from Dingwall), none of us could taste "sweet" (ours was a shade bitter), "notes of orange and pears" (someone must have snorted before their tasting), Candy and toffee apples" (what rubbish). And there was a discernibly lingering flavour of aniseed...which made us wonder if the importer (Pernod) hadn't cleaned the filling lines. Sorry. Will not be going back to an old favourite.
Not that great :(
Very very disappointed. Bring back the 12 yr old.
