Tastes

Nose - A good peat smell followed by oily smoke, it's not overwhelming with either which makes it rather enjoyable to smell. After letting it sit for 10 minutes I detect a sweetness which is very welcomed Taste - Hearty peat in the front with the slightest kick of sweet followed by oily pines Finish - Smokeyness and oil, this is smooth and doesn't overstay it's welcome Score - 4.0 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

So this is not the 2011 reviewed, I tasted the 2012 50%ABV Nose - oily, burnt caramel, burnt marshmallow, peat is there but not too strong---I'd rate moderate, way less than Laphroig/Ardbeg---and dirt, Kenz says formaldehyde and anatomy lab circa 2014 Taste - up front light taste, then you're hit with the peat, meaty, hint of bitter chocolate Finish - long meaty finish, some creamy maltyness, peat lingers on the throat, light burn Score - 4.0 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - not strong peat but dominates the nose here, I don't note much else Taste - Smoky up front, good peat taste, not oily Finish - smooth finish, peaty, tingles on the tongue, not too long Score - 4.5 a great peated scotch, just smooth taste, peat isn't overwhelming, perfect amount for my taste Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a solid choice 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

For starters, apparently Glenlivet discontinued the 43%abv 18 yr and switched to a 40%abv last year with the 'Batch Reserve' label. I was confused why the smell and taste changed so significantly compared to my prior 18 yr tasting (done at River Roast in Chicago---no idea how long they've had that one there). My previous review holds true for the 'old' version, as this bottle I have is their new 'Batch Reserve' Nose - strong notes of honey, and a bit of some fruity/floral going on, this drink for me is stronger on the nose than the mouth Taste - smooth, easy to drink, notes of honey and other sweet bits but nothing overwhelming Finish - a light nip from the alcohol and finishes with an aftertaste that is floral Score - 3.75, a bit sad about the change from their prior 18 yr as that blew my mind, still an enhanced 12 yr but not exactly worth it with the price tag, hopefully I can find a bottle of the old stuff if I'm so lucky (without the 'Batch Reserve' tag that is) Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - sugary smell, some fruity notes but hard to pinpoint, the deeper I smell the more the fruit comes out, caramel is noted Taste - good front taste, subtle and difficult to distinguish any fruits, I'm getting more oakyness from this one, the more I taste the more flavor comes out of (dare I say) orange? Finish - smooth but taste leaves very quick, I get a hint of caramel at the end, little to no burn Score - 3.75, the more I taste this one the more it comes to life, different than the 12yr in a good way but 12yr still beats it for me Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - sweeter compared to the 12 year, there is a scent of rum but mild, alcohol is not strong on this one Taste - for a second I thought I was drinking Bumbu, then the classic taste hit with sweet and fruity notes but leaves the palate quick as it came Finish - got a bit of a sugary taste after the light burn settled, hangs around for a minute Score - 2.5, confusing drink to me but not bad, they suggest putting in a whisky sour so will have to try that Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - slight peaty smell Taste - oaky and vanilla notes, slight smokeyness, Finish - slight burn down the throat, then hits the nose, leaves with a slight smokey aftertaste Score - 3.0 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - caramel, reminds me of apple cider, Kenz says caramel apple, during the fall picking apples and pumpkins Taste - it’s like an enhanced 12 year, deeper notes of caramel, Kenz says in Gordan Ramsey’s coice ‘it’s delicious’ and I feel like it would be fantastic warmed up while I’m eating in a flannel shirt, carving pumpkins, and smelling Bath and Bodyworks fall scented candles Finish - so so smooth, no burn from alcohol, finish leaves a pleasant caramel taste wanting for more Score - 4.75 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - strong smell, love it Taste - noH2O added—strong taste, overwhelming Finish - burns the throat and nose, lingers for a minute Score - 3.0 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always try to keep a bottle in stock 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink 3.5 - Good, would consider tasting again from time to time 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

Nose - lightly peated and smokey smell, not strong and otherwise I do not note anything Taste - light smokey flavor, as I swish it in my mouth I get notes of caramel, fills the mouth with a pleasant taste but leaves the palate quickly. I don’t typically note texture but this one is close to water until it is rolled in the mouth, then it becomes a bit ‘heavier’ so to speak. There are other notes that I cannot pinpoint. One of the more complex flavor profiles I have yet to taste Finish - smooth finish, light burn which dissipates swiftly, complex flavors at the end Score - 4.25 Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always try to keep a bottle in stock 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink 3.5 - Good, would consider tasting again from time to time 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate