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It’s at all times good to return to fundamentals.
I lately attended a digital Glenlivet tasting. The lineup consisted of the rebranded 12, 15, and 18 12 months outdated whiskies. In accordance with the model ambassador, Jasper Epsom, this new labeling solely occurred final 12 months. Since I lack curiosity on this explicit model I don’t hold tabs, so I used to be shocked on the information. Did one of the recognizable single malt manufacturers on the earth want rebranding? Or did they simply need a new look? I wouldn’t have considered tackling this one once more, however shopping for a pattern package for about USD $14 appeared like an ideal deal. It got here with a glass and 50 ml samples of every whisky.
The expertise wasn’t as technical as I had hoped it to be, however that was to be anticipated. The spiels I heard had been nothing new. The tasting touched on the founder, George Smith, and on how there have been far more unlawful distillers earlier than 1823, after which a regulation made it cheaper to use for a distilling license. It went on to say that 1824 was the 12 months he received licensed and will function his distillery. There was point out of the then-King of England asking for his whisky earlier than it even grew to become authorized, and of how they fought different Speyside whisky who sought to make use of the identify “THE” Glenlivet of their bottlings.
Pertaining to some technical features: Glenlivet’s fermentation lasts for 48 hours. They use picket washbacks constructed from Oregon pine, a.ok.a. Douglas fir. Such a wooden is used as a result of the grain is tight, so is gained’t impart taste to the wash. It wasn’t talked about how typically the washbacks are cleaned, however they’re steamed from time to time. The staves are stated to final for 20 to 30 years earlier than they must be changed.
Essentially the most notable of the rebranding is Glenlivet 12: it now not sports activities a inexperienced bottle. It struck me as odd, since that bottle was one of many distinguishing traits of the 12 12 months outdated. In accordance with Jasper, the inexperienced bottle solely caught round earlier than as a result of inexperienced glass was cheaper than clear glass again within the day. I forgot to ask if it’s nonetheless the case now. The 12 can be now labeled as a double oak; he stated that it’s at all times been aged in American and European oak, so it’s not a change in something however the label. On this context, he means ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
The Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve is aged for underneath a 12 months in each new and charred Limousin French oak. The casks are then re-charred after every use. That is wasn’t talked about within the tasting, however earlier tastings have talked about charring is claimed to reset a cask. I assume they wish to hold the French oak affect as pure as they’ll. There’s additionally some European oak/ex-sherry cask on this mix.
The Glenlivet 18 was one thing I couldn’t get a lot data on. Jasper stated that even model ambassadors don’t know the cask recipe of this one. He talked about that he noticed a board with the cask recipe on it, nevertheless it was written in code, so he couldn’t make something out of it. Apart from the plain and standard use of ex-bourbon casks, this has the next ex-sherry cask part.
The Glenlivet 12 Double Oak – Overview
40% ABV. £36.95 from The Whisky Alternate. $26.99 from Complete Wine.
Colour: Gold.
On the nostril: A bit harking back to Kavalan. That is loaded with tropical fruits. Initially, I get pronounced aromas of pineapple, starfruit, sapodilla, honeysuckle and honeydew. The depth of different aromas all of a sudden fell off. I get refined aromas of dates, cloves, tannins, lemon & lime peel and honey.
Within the mouth: Very completely different than on the nostril. The warmth was non-existent there, nevertheless it’s aggressive right here. The flavors are a large number as properly. I get the oak and fruit notes on the similar time. It’s like they’re competing with one another for dominance. There are gentle tastes of honey, tannins, starfruit, honeydew, cloves, tea leaves and citrus peels. There’s additionally an odd, astringent mouthfeel that forestalls me from having fun with the opposite refined tastes. The end is extra nice. I get much less of the astringency. Mild tastes of honey, honeysuckle, toffee, milk chocolate, cherries and vanilla come out.
Conclusions:
That is completely different from what I bear in mind; I recall tasting extra inexperienced apples and pears within the 12. Is that this actually the identical whisky as those within the inexperienced bottle? Or have my senses simply modified? Is it each? It’s been a number of years since I final tried this whisky in any case.
Like quite a lot of the simply accessible whisky, it’s much more presentable on the nostril. It’s very coherent and engaging. When you get within the mouth, although, it’s a large number. The flavors get all bungled up, and a watery texture doesn’t assist both. I really feel just like the end was the perfect half as a result of the flavors get their act collectively in that second.
The ex-sherry cask aged elements blended right here should be very minimal. I’m extra inclined to suppose {that a} small portion of ex-sherry cask-matured Glenlivet was blended on this expression, reasonably than it being a end. The distillery DNA and American oak flavors are extra noticeable from begin to finish, whereas he ex-sherry notes just like the dates, cherries and milk chocolate are sparingly current on the nostril and end.
Since this is among the most easy-to-find single malts on the earth, I really feel like I’m compelled to check the value of this to different unpeated single malts of the identical worth vary that may function higher alternate options.
You’ve gotten the next to select from from The Whisky Alternate: Deanston 12, Glengoyne 10 & Cragganmore 12. From Complete Wine: Eh. Not a lot of a variety within the $20 to $30 vary. You’d should go to $50.
Rating: 5/10
(at The Whisky Alternate worth),
6/10
(on the Complete Wine worth)
The Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve – Overview
40% ABV. £54.95 from The Whisky Alternate. $58.99 from Complete Wine.
Colour: Honey.
On the nostril: Tropical fruits within the first half. Earthy within the second half. Initially, that is just like the 12-year-old. There are medium intense aromas of pineapple, dried apricot, sapodilla, and starfruit. After these come gentle aromas of Fuji apples, honey and coconut sugar syrup. The depth turns up a bit. It permits me to odor honeydew, orange jam and orange peel. Refined aromas of French oak traits come out. An assortment of mushrooms like dried shiitake and grounded chaga involves thoughts.
Within the mouth: A tropical fruit salad with an intermission of French oak within the center. Like on the nostril, it’s initially tropical fruits. I get gentle and barely lasting tastes of cantaloupe, pineapples, sapodilla, starfruit, Fuji apples, honey and dried apricots. There’s a sneaking, rising warmth right here too as I chew it. The French oak manifests within the type of mushrooms. Much like the nostril, I get refined and transient tastes of dried shiitake mushrooms, chaga powder and leather-based. On the finish are a refined mixture of extra tropical fruit notes with one thing bitter. The bitterness makes me consider biting right into a contemporary coconut husk, in addition to honeydew and completely different shades of orange.
Conclusions:
I believe this can be a big enchancment over the 12-year-old. The mixing of flavors is extra cohesive, and there appears to be a greater stability between oak affect and the distillery DNA. I really feel like I’d take pleasure in this extra if it weren’t so watery.
As a result of this is among the most accessible manufacturers on the earth, I really feel like I’ve to ask a few questions: One, Is that this well worth the worth premium above the 12? Two, how would this evaluate to comparable priced however lesser-known alternate options?
There’s an £18 distinction from TWE; $32 from Complete Wine. I’d say that it could be extra value for the TWE worth, primarily as a result of a $32 distinction for a three-year age distinction sounds actually off.
I checked each shops, and there are different unpeated alternate options in the identical worth vary. From TWE there are: Loch Lomond 14, Glenfarclas 105 & Craigellachie 13. From Complete Wine there are: Edradour 10, Deanston 12 & Craigellachie 13
Rating: 6/10
The Glenlivet 18 Batch Reserve – Overview
40% ABV. £90.95 from The Whisky Alternate. $99.99 from Complete Wine
Colour: Oloroso sherry.
On the nostril: Very completely different from the 12 and 15. The aromas of pink fruits are extra dominant: I get gentle, lasting and steady aromas of cherries, dates, and sultanas, in addition to Thompson & muscatel grapes, espresso, chocolate, honey and blood orange. There are refined bursts of pineapple, orange peel and starfruit in between these–then there’s a sudden fall-off.
Within the mouth: Just like the nostril, the pink fruits and sherry flavors dominate. I get gentle tastes of cherry sweet, chocolate, blood orange, dates, espresso, sultanas, caramelized orange peel oil and toasted chestnut. In between these are refined flashes of sulfur.
Conclusions:
That is good whisky, however I wouldn’t essentially say it’s higher than the 12 or the 15. The dominant European oak/ex-oloroso sherry cask affect simply makes it that rather more completely different from the 12 and 15.
Sherry bomb fanatics will like this one. I didn’t use the time period love as a result of it’s solely 40% ABV. They’re prone to remark concerning the lack of oomph this whisky will convey.
Apart from being completely different, I discover that it isn’t as advanced because the 12 and 15. The flavors are simply extra nice, thus simpler to take pleasure in. After the cask flavors run out, although, there’s a sudden cease. Should you had been to ask me my rating of the three, I’d say 15 > 18 > 12.
Is the 18 well worth the worth? No. I can get higher and extra fascinating alternate options, even when they’re youthful, in the identical worth vary. At this worth level, there are much more intriguing choices within the type of restricted editions and indie bottlers.
From TWE there are: Edradour 12 12 months ex-bourbon Ibisco 2007, Glenallachie 18 & Glengoyne 18. From Complete Wine there are: Glen Scotia Victoriana, Glengoyne Cask Energy & Glenfarclas 105. (Slim pickings from Complete Wine)
Rating: 5/10
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