Glenlivet 18 Year

Bottle 1: bottled 2019, 43% ABV Bottle 2: bottled 2020, 40% ABV 43% ABV bottling is richer and more complex. Less bitter on the palate, but it’s minimal. Both still excellent drams.

Wow, super nice. Very faint on the nose. Taste... well its amazing. Light flavor of something sweet. Way to easy to drink with a very very little burn towards the end that does not show up again. This Glen is such a good drinker with mild tame flavors and no bite right out if a new bottle. It dangerously too easy to drink. Im going to keep this for when good friends show over or special occasion. Im a newbie, so no complicated review of chocolate, molasses and used socks blah blah blah. It should surprise non whiskey drinkers, if not, you need new friends. At $90, I would definitely buy again.

Rich. Sweet. Lovely whisky.

Sweet fruity notes to the nose and hint of brown sugar or toffee. Light short spicy notes to the palate, followed by sweet bitter citrus almost like an orange zest, finishes with lingering oaky notes. A very smooth pour, thanks Tri!

The Glenlivet is the oldest operating legal distillery in Scottland, founded in 1824 and operating almost continuously since. It is a classic example of the Speyside malt, and the biggest selling single malt whisky in the US. Obviously, this applies more to its 12-year-old cousin, while the 18-year-old expression is a more targeted dram for whisky lovers. The 18-year-old Glenlivet was matured in a combination of first and second fill American oak and sherry casks, and is presented at 43% ABV, chill-filtered, and with caramel coloring added. Too bad, but this is a part of Glenlivet’s signature, I believe they do this even for their 25-year-old expression which is a shame. The stills at the Glenlivet have long narrow necks to help produce a light-body spirit. The choice of high quality casks is what makes this dram excellent. The nose is rich and complex, with notes of sultans, raisins, honey, brown sugar, fudge, and a touch of cereal. The palate does not disappoint, and delivers a spectacular combination of honey, figs, oak, vanilla, spice, intermingled with some apples and a hint of chocolate. Finish is sweet and long, caramel-rich, with a spicy oak aftertaste. Excellent balance and roundness are the distinguished characteristics of this dram. A touch of water brings molasses and a hint of creme brûlée to the nose, palate becomes sweeter and fruitier, and finish gains a touch of bitterness. This is good both with and without the water, but I wouldn’t recommend adding much if you do as it is quite easy to drown this 43% ABV dram. Overall, this is an excellent and very well balanced expression that would please both novices and enthusiasts alike. I wish it had a higher ABV and an honest presentation, but it is what it is, and I shouldn’t complain much since this is such a wonderful dram anyways. Well worth $100.