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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OK if cheap, I have seen it down to £22 in supermarket promos, but not sub £20. You could try adding one tiny tot of dry Oloroso sherry to the bottle and leaving it for a few weeks. It might fill it out a bit-but don’t blame me if you don’t like it! I do hope MoM are wrong about Glenlivet using this to replace their venerable 12 YO. I don’t like the French Oak and the 18 is now a tad pricy
I was given this as a present and all I can say is I am pleased I did not waste any money on it. I certainly will never buy it and will be giving it to my elderly mum who will drink it with ginger ale. It has no flavour but there is a harsh chemical aftertaste. I would pick up the standard bottle of Bells over this any time. I have not had any Glenlivet for quite some time, and won't be having any more either. Shocking.
Young, harsh and lacking in flavour, a really disappointing offering from Glenlivet, expressions like this do nothing but cheapen the brand reputation, don’t buy.
Artificial almost banana like sweetness. Despite not being strong enough there is an offensive aftertaste and whiff of acetone. An embarrassment to single malt scotch whisky.
So much anger and biased opinions based on emotion vs. Experience. This is a nas single malt that knocks it out the park. So many these days are looking for reasons to slag the Scotch industry, but in this case you should thank Glenlivet for an affordable and delicious dram. SLAINTHE, and ignore the snobs, it's a beauty!
