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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A lovely warm fruity sweet single malt, with a hint of toffee
There must be two versions of this whisky? I was given a bottle for my birthday and on the night sat down to 'enjoy' a glass. It was vitually undrinkable. Very thin, with just a faint alcohol smell and the taste was equally uninspiring - no complexity at all. Then a VERY bitter aftertaste. The bitterness is so bad I don't think I'll ever drink the rest. And in the morning I had a headache
I found this a reasonable whisky, with a good nose of cinder toffee and pear. A creamy palate and very smooth, but I found it had a harsh sulfury after taste. A good Whisky for under £30
Found this a very pleasant dram on my Saturday night and a great price. Please ignore the bad reviews some have added. I live beside all the Speyside distilleries and a lot of the staff laugh at some of the comments on sites like these from people who talk the talk but haven’t a clue. Buy and enjoy
Fruity and sweet, very smooth whisky. Good deal for the price point, surprisingly pleasant, easy to drink. Maybe too well balanced to have some more remarkable character. Very enjoyable and light, most probably best on the rocks...
