The Glenlivet 12 Year

Nose: Rich, buttery caramel and vanilla with dried fruits and caramelized marshmallow. Taste: A pretty simple whiskey. Prominent oak flavors, vanilla, and caramel. Lacks complexity but is still a very enjoyable whisky.

The nose is sweet and pretty with pears, lemon citrus, malt, freshly baked bread, vanilla and light black pepper. The palate is sweet and light bodied with pear, some pepper spice, malt and a light nuttiness. The finish is medium with some nice pear and decent spicy pepperiness lingering. A fairly balanced and tasty single malt, especially for the price. No wonder why it’s such a staple. Nothing super interesting here, but enjoyable.

One of the most easy going single malts in my (admittedly little) experience: just a hint of smoke on the nose leading the way to notes of honey, pear, toasted cereal and a bit of oakiness on the finish, all pretty subdued. I'd put it on the slightly more complex side of easy drinking whiskies, a safe choice for those nights when I'm not in the mood for complexity, and maybe recommend it as Scotch newcomers that fear the peat.