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...
A fancy name for a 6 year old whisky put on the market as a money making scheme. Shame on you glenlivet you will lose customers!
..Thin ..Transparent ..Falls short immediately after initial palate ..Why!!? ..Not Horrible! But, fool me once, and you know the rest..
I have to admit, my tastes lie elsewhere. But for a Glenlivet I'm inclined to think the founder wasn't reserving this. He didn't want it bottled! Or maybe he was going to brand it differently. It's not horrible, just not what I expected from Glenlivet.
Thin compared to the 12yo
The reviews here are far too harsh. It definitely deserves 6/10 (and i'm voting ten to counteract the ones). The whiskey is very drinkable: very sweet, fruity and quite strong. I got the bottle as a gift and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's an expensive bottle so your money may be better spent elsewhere. Don't spend more than 30 Euros on this one.
