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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As an Islay fan I bought this for a sweeter tipple as I Also like Irish malts. The nose is delicate to me hardly noticable. Taste is slightly sweet with a bit of fruit then a small burn. Very pleasant with a nice finish that lingers as the sweetness fades. I dont on this occasion agree with MoM notes my nose isnt great but theres little nose on this & not a huge amount of palate flavours.
Harsh. If this was my first taste of Glenlivet, I would go back to rye whisky. I have been drinking the”real” 12 year old since the 70’s. This reserve should have bee kept “on reserve”.
To me this was a chocolate orange in a glass.
Not sure if you mix it with something, but it's ok alone. Doesn't seem mature yet, but it is a single malt whiskey in the end. Not the best I had, but for the price, it's fine and dandy.
Received as a present so my first taste. I wouldn't consider myself an whisky expert by any means, but I do know what I like and what I don't like. I'm pleased to say that this whisky is very smooth and easy to drink straight, without the need to add anything whatsoever. I've tried other whiskies at this price, and more expensive, that I personally had to add a splash of lemonade to suit my pallet which would be deemed sacraledge to would be experts. This Founders Reserve is now my whisky of choice moving forward. Any newbie to whisky like myself I think would enjoy this flavour and it's smoothness. No need for face squinting when it's on your tongue or on the way down
