The Glenlivet XXV (25 Year Old)

Everyone has a different sense of taste. I have tasted many a scotch and many whiskey's. Many of the comments I read on websites and in magazines often confuse the.... nose, palate and finish with the price.

So what did I experience? Its very smooth and rich in flavor with a hint of spice and not earthy and at the end. The @43% ABV is good for my palate, you don't sacrifice the smooth flow and flavors that higher ABV would overpower.

Now the price. Well I go through a couple 12 YO, 16 YO bottles for about 45.00-65.00 US dollars. I spring for a 18YO around 90.00-110.00 US Dollars and I can honestly say price wise they were good value for the money.

I did not buy this bottle myself, it was a gift and I believe it was $450.00 US Dollars. Now it was definitely worth it to me. I did not pay for it. Would I buy this with my own money and try it? Yes I would. Do I think its worth $450.00. Its pretty close. I do purchase a bottle between 400.00-500.00 US dollars once a year on a 20 or 25 year old bottle and in comparison, I would take Glenlivet over several other high end bottles of Scotch that I have had.

19th November 2020

I tasted this with a friend when I knew nothing about it. I instantly realized this was a high quality scotch and is likely the best I've ever had so far. I came to that conclusion prior to knowing what we were drinking or knowing anything about it--so it was a quasi blind tasting in essence. The folks who state this has no finish likely had no taste buds working that day. The finish is long and very nice. The sherry is quite evident, of course. The mouthfeel is thick and complex, rich with dark fruit, honey, and a hint of spice. No peat. Long finish. What I enjoyed the most was the body of this. Oh, and the color is awesome! I enjoy all the different regions of Scotch and various bourbons. I've had a few different Pappys. I've had a few high end Macallans and some other Glens. I keep Lagavulin 16 around. I like Laphroaig. I love Blanton's. I enjoy Nikka's offerings like their from the barrel. I've had more whiskeys than the average Joe.

I was amazed with this one! Liked it so much I went and got a bottle the following week to save for special occasions! If you can find it, get it! You will not be disappointed! I can't wait to open mine and have a sip by the firepit on a cold special evening!

11th October 2020

Overall pretty good .. doesn't justify the price though. I am a single malt lover but macallan will always set the bar to high. A good bottle but the macallan 21 is a better bottle for the price

18th April 2020

Heavenly. Notes are accurate. Nuances of cloves on the palate.

2nd April 2020

Excellent Drink
Smooth yet rich flavor.. Great after taste..lingers and gives a hint of spice... One of my favorites

12th December 2019

I agree with the review from Nov. 13th. 2016. It's not that impressive and way too expensive for the quality. Their 18 YO is a better whisky at a much better price point.

I my opinion the alcohol level is too low @43% ABV and that effects the mouthfell and the overall impression i a negative way - usually it wise to go above 46%

So in summary: It would be a 3 star whisky if sold at half the price - therefore 1,5 stars

30th September 2019

Whisky is the choice of drink for my dad and he loved this. Infact there isn't really/many he wldnt drink.

4th May 2019

By far the best 25 year old I have tried

25th October 2018

The best Scotch ever. Love it. I drank some with Ricky in Sugar Land.

5th May 2018

By Far the best,, No matter whiskey bourbon , scotch, Plus all newcomers, A taste for each pallet..And occasion...Yet, Glen Levit, Draws you in ,holds you in, each and everytime...Think of it this way , if What your drinking disturbs your mindset, Stop drinking it, Just wrong period...This is quality, single malt liquor....Complete pleasant Drinking...25 and 50, both out of Most Of publics, pocket book, Yet not a loss with 12-15-or 18....Any bottle Pleasantly, delicious..

20th March 2018

I have two bottles of Glenlivet 25 year and decided to open one on New Years Eve. The nose is absolutely EPIC, and it's very smooth. Having tasted many high end Single Malts, I was a bit surprised how short the finish is. If you compare this to a less expensive Macallan 18 year Sherry Cask (which I absolutely love), you'll see exactly what I mean.

28th September 2017

Very rich and smooth.

13th September 2017

Wonderful. The nose is amazing. The taste is silky. The finish unbelievable. I will immediately add this to my rotation.

27th November 2016

Very smooth but felt like no attitude. 21 was better based on the price.

13th November 2016

Amazing.

5th April 2016

The XXV is my latest big disappointment, the nose and palate are complex and at this point you feel "That's what I'm talking about"
And it is gone.
No Finish, nothing.
Like nothing happened.
I had it at a tastingbefore I opened the bottle I had bought, fortunately so I can return it because it absolutely not Worth the value. You would better go with the Dalmore Alexander King or Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old 1990 at this price point and if you are a Glenlivet fan, stick with the 18, still one of the best value on the market.
Wish you a good day from Montréal.

30th March 2016

This doesn't taste like anything else on the market. Super complex with hints of tropical fruits and so many layers of flavor your pallet won't know what hit it. Beautiful bottle...

24th December 2015

Good solid whiskey, very rich and complex.
A bit pricey

23rd December 2015

I am a huge Glenlivet fan. Although I drink many different named brand of single malt scotch, I found Glenlivet to be my favorite. So I bought my 1st bottle of XXV. Can't wait to try it. I'm sure I'll be pleased. Love the price.

12th November 2015

I was lucky enough to taste this through some people, I do not have the money to drink this as a hobby........ but this scotch is the real deal......... It is so smooth and rich, you can taste cocoa and and finishes spicy but is silky smooth, if your ever so lucky to taste this scotch do so, if i had the money to buy this regularly i would but im just a joe schmoe

5th November 2015

By far one of the best I've tasted.. very smooth..

25th October 2015

A single malt by any other name is Broiche
at 291.72 pounds a bottle & equals 19.49 pounds an oz
a sweet yet spiced taste and warm to the palate.
The drink of Kings and Queens.

30th August 2015

Our whisky group split a bottle that was picked up in Duty Free. It's definitely a nice drop, but the general consensus was that for the price, it isn't worth it. If you're looking at buying a bottle try and get a taste of it from somewhere first. You'll more than likely realise that there are many other similar tasting speysides that can be brought for far less and are just as enjoyable. Yes it's a 25 year old, and yes that does come through, but that alone shouldn't justify the price (hence 3/5)

19th April 2015

There is no better scotch to be had, even within your selections of whiskeys! I am convinced that this will always be my favorite and most precious scotch for the rest of my life. I have compared others, from Glenlivet and elsewhere, and this is tops!

1st January 2015

I've been sampling this during a Whisky fair in Milan and it's absolutely the best drink I've ever had so far.
I've been also confronting it with other 25 years (namely Glenmorangie and -my favourite label- Caol Ila) and imho it simply shatters Glenmorangie's 25, While Caol Ila's is very good but it has lost probably too much peat for my taste, it was something different from what I was used to.

This without considering the price (180€ for this Glenlivet vs WAY over 200 -if not 300€- for both the others).

Probably staying within the Glenlivet's lineup, the 18 yo is the top for price/taste ratio as well as the Nadurra range that it's outrageous.. but this XXV.. oh dear I've never even thought to consider to spend nearly 200€ over a bottle.. until I've tried this. Time to save for a huge gift..

21st November 2014

Clean, cool, crisp, complex. One of the best whiskeys I have ever tasted.

15th November 2014

Seriously? £192 on a bottle of drink... such a waste.

14th November 2014

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!! This is a lot better than the 21-year old Archive bottle I have. So much flavor packed into a fancy bottle and packaging. I assume some of the extra cost is the wooden display box, but it is fantastic and worth every penny. I've always wanted the Macallan 25 year because it was seen in the James Bond movies, but with Macallan, a lot of the cost is the advertising from those movies. Since I cant afford Macallan, Glenlivet XXV is by far the best I have ever had and worth every penny.

18th October 2014

Several years ago I treated myself, by buying this whisky while passing through a Duty Free Shop. I have been savoring it in small helpings shared with special guests. Yesterday we finished the bottle and were very disappointed that the amount remaining, only left enough for a dram for my friend and one for me. 5 stars

26th September 2014

This was a gift from my wife to celebrate my retiring after 25 years as an air traffic controller. It is beautifully displayed in our home and brought out from time to time to celebrate a special occasion.
The taste is rich with so much complexity. The taste just explodes in your mouth and is a joy each time I bring it down off the shelf.

24th May 2014

By far One of the best single malts out there. I prefer it neat almost like a cognac. Definitely a scotch to drink on a special occasion.

13th March 2014

"Could be that I'm just a rookie at this"

3rd February 2014

After talking to a turkish friend of mine About our love of whisky I recall a time at the bar at St. Andrews (lucky me) with a wine importer lining up a selection of whisky's to taste, Glenlivet came out by way the best ! Years later and many bottles later it is still the king. Unless any one can recommend better!

29th December 2013

After waiting an hour in a restaurant for our reserved table. The manager offered the table desserts on the house. My brother in law said skip the dessert for the table and had them pour a 25 Glenlivet for me. It was amazing. Excellent! very smooth. Thank you to my brother in law. I could never afford it myself

18th December 2013

I actually won a bottle of XXV at a silent auction. Got it for half the price. Saved it until my 25th wedding anniversary then promptly drank the whole dam bottle. Did share one or two with my neighbor but kept most for myself. Great whiskey.

17th December 2013

WOW!,,my great wife got this for me for my 60th birthday. I was so impressed with the aroma as soon as the cork was released from the beautiful bottle. It was just wonderful as my friends says its the finest single to date we have experienced .

17th March 2013

Is this much better than a 21 year old?
Wanted to buy the 60 year old whiskey but cannot afford the prices.

28th February 2013

I just had my first The Glenlivet 25 yr- wow,wow,wow!

4th January 2013

Over the years of trying single malts and finding the relaxation of enjoying different scotch
I've come to the conclusion that my wife must really live me to purchase
This XXV for me at Christmas. Wonderful body of full flavor with a great
Finish. So smooth and rich, will enjoy this throughout the year.

25th December 2012

I was of course VERY excited when I found that this would be showcased at our monthly tasting. a friend of mine picked it up on his way back to Japan at the Duty Free. When I got to the tasting, i refused to try any of the other drams until they opened the 25yr (i just wanted to be sure to have a clean palette). The nose, was excellent. Thick, rich, and fruity. You almost can't wait to get your lips on it. Just as it enters the mouth and wash over the tongue as you try to make out the complexities of it...it's gone. It has a wonderful sweet nose with little body and NO finish. I added a few cubes of ice to it thinking it might loosen it up a bit as sometimes needed with the older ones but it didn't help. Everyone's taste is different but I (we) were extremely disappointed. I would however recommend the 18Yr (my personal favorite) and the 16yr Nadurra. Could be that I'm just a rookie at this but I don't think so. Personally, I wouldn't spend $300 on it for sure.

8th December 2011

My eldest son, at 25, presented this whisky to me for my 50th birthday, and I can say without hesitation, it is one of the finest single malts I've had the pleasure of tasting. If you appreciate the comlexities of the finer single malts, you won't go wrong with this choice.

28th April 2011

I was fortunate enough to sample this courtesy of my younger son, Chris. I was unable to appreciate the nose, due to sinusitis, but there was no mistaking the flavours of this magnificent distillation. It was indescribably good! Thank you, Son.

18th January 2011