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...
I picked it up in a Supermarket for £22 (sorry MoM) and at that price it's reasonable. Yes it's young but I don't find it completely unpleasant. That said, it is in no way a suitable replacement for the 12 year old and if it's the intention to replace that with this I'm out. I don't have a problem with NAS whisky per se if it's used as an entry level bottling at a price point below age statement bottles, replacing the 12 with this is frankly not on.
Very enjoyable as a session drink at a party, you can splash this around without shedding a tear when someone drowns in in water. Prise wise it's brilliant at £24, ok it's not a aged single malt and dose not calm to be so I don't get when the whisky snobs are in sutch a Huff. Maybe they paid £35 online?
Great whiskey, smooth and fruity, better to drink without ice.
Typical 'no age statement' whisky falling below par on account of hurried maturation. I get a sweet Pear Drops confectionary flavour that is neither satisfying nor pleasant. Most of the UK supermarkets have been selling this at under £20 as a bargain malt. It's so bad I wouldn't touch at any price.
This just will not do. I have drunk many, many different whiskies over the years -blends, single malts, grain, bourbons, rye......you name it, I've drunk it and this is the worst I have have ever had the displeasure to pour down my neck. I have to admit that I've never been a fan of Glenlivet, but nonetheless I thought I'd give it fair crack, mainly because my stepdaughter bought it in good faith knowing that I'm a whisky man. I have tasted it now and truthfully......it is dreadful. I cannot believe that a heritage-brand distiller such as Glenlivet would issue such an appalling whisky. I am no whisky snob -I love Bells and Teachers and Grants Family Reserve and many other so-called low-brow whisky blends, but all of these are a country mile better than this rancid brew. What on earth has possessed Glenlivet to release this bastard, I JUST DO NOT KNOW! -I seriously thought I was drinking a glass of three day old corked white wine or some el-cheapo £3.99 sherry, it really was that bad. Whatever my step-daughter paid for this rubbish was 100% too much. If this was my introduction to whisky I would ever touch another drop. Shame on you Glenlivet -if this was your attempt to bag some floating punters who might otherwise have bought rum or brandy or something else, this is an epic failure and an embarrassment to your great name. Drain cleaner -no better.
