We’ve never actually reviewed Glenlivet, so apologies on starting with the 15 year. Personally while I find the 15 much better than the 12 – it’s the 16 Year Nadurra is my favorite (the later years are okay, but are a bit too overpriced.) Overall though Glenlivet is likely one of my favorite scotches that you can find almost everywhere.
If I recall correctly this was actually a gift to the lounge (that or a gift I made for completing a software project at work.)It’s been well met, and I’m sad to see it go, especially considering the Talisker 18 will be gone soon, and my Lagavulin (Guess I’ll be in the market for a new higher tier scotch)
Edit: Apparently it was a Christmas gift from my brother, thanks!
What they Say: “In 1824 George Smith established his distillery in the remote and wild location of Glenlivet. Here, he found the perfect conditions to craft the definitive single malt whisky. Through this timeless primeval valley run the icy waters of the river Livet. It’s name, ‘smooth, flowing one‘, in Gaeilic, reflects the Glenlivet’s beautifully rich and elegant flavours.”
Taste: 5.0 – Here much like the smell it again is rather muted and nearly miss-able
Aftertaste: 8.0 – Here though is what you came for as the aftertaste has layers of complexity, and all of them are a beautifully tasting scotch.
Burn/Smooth: 6.0 – It’s nice and smooth and there’s no real burn, but it doesn’t give you a lot of warmth, and the lingering comes from the aftertaste.
Aroma: 3.0 – It’s so mellow that it barely seems to have a strong smell at all – even digging your nose in, and it’s rather muted.
Honesty: 7.0 – Even if it is the French Oak Reserve – this is a classic iconic single malt, and being a 15 year old scotch means it gets some serious points here.
Mixability: 6.0
W/ Rocks: 6.0 – Here the taste and aftertaste sort of blend into one, but if I’m honest I’d rather just have the normal aftertaste.
Value: 5.5 – It’s actually fairly cheap for a 15 year scotch, but then weighed against the Nadurra, and I’d much rather pay my money for that.
Google Shop Average: $47
Website: http://www.theglenlivet.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.0
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Metric Score: 40.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.78 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.0
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Final Thoughts: I know I keep harping on this fact, but get the Nadurra.