Glenlivet 14 Year Cognac Cask Selection

I was really excited to try this one. The bourbon/sherry/cognac seasoning with a 14 year age statement, and only $50...maybe this would be the one from legendary distiller Glenlivet that would become one of my new go-to whiskies! Unfortunately, not quite. It has a decent nose, fruity as advertised, but not as present as I like. The palate was okay, but again not as much there as I was hoping for considering the barrels it had visited. And then the finish faded almost immediately and left a bitter taste behind. To be fair, it's appeal does seem to change slightly day to day, and I've had a few hopeful sips that were briefly more pleasing on the tongue for some reason, but then the bitter aftertaste inevitably appears and I'm disappointed again. Maybe Glenlivet just isn't my thing...for now, returning to familiar territory (Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Balvenie, Macallan).

Fruitcake and candied orange peel on the nose. Orange juice and stone fruit on the palate, with pear in the background, and a slight bitter note, which is welcome to break up the sweetness. Nothing special, but pleasant, much like the standard 12. The Cognac cask just adds a fresh coat of orange paint. Not sure if it's worth $10 more, but if Glenmorangie can get away with it, then why not?