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...
Compared to the good old 12yo, this is different; of course. But you need to appreciate the whisky for what it is - a NAS that's well made for the typical consumer they had in mind for it. We are not the typical consumer of this whisky, but enthusiasts who like to challenge every dram available. With the resources available and the segmentation Glenlivet had in mind, this is a nice job, therefore rated 3/5.
A mistake. A bit too harsh and edgy - like a matured Bells. I don't like this at all. In no way comparable to 12 year old product which remains my favourite.
Got myself a bottle and their's not much difference between this and the old 12, but for the price I paid 32 pound, I could have picked up the 15 for a few more quid ?.
OK, it's not the 12 year old that we all love and I will miss it but this is just lovely. A tad sweeter than what I'm used to but I accept it for what it is and at the time of writing a major supermarket chain has it on offer for £23 a bottle so I will be stocking up.
This is a fine dram. I dont know what others have been tasting but it cant be the same stuff as me! Sure its different than the 12 but its also very similar in many aspects. Dont let all these NAS snobs put you off of this one as it is a perfectly fine single malt
