Glenlivet 18 Year

Nose: Black Forest Cake - Dark Chocolates with Cherries. Palate: Intense dried fruits (currants) with Apple Pie. Slight smokey spice - only a hint. Finish: Abrupt spiced oakey finish. Surprisingly lingers in the chest.

Nose: woody, richly sweet, honey, marzipan, banana Palate: big time oak, rich, smooth as hell, sweet, green apples, butter, mature, neutral, hints of citrus Finish: a little bitter, woody

I think that Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Balvenie are kind of easy-drinking, low-character single malts and I mean that in the best way. They are not super complex. They are very subtle. I find the Glenlivet 18 much more likable than most Glenfiddich. It has a nice nose: very light and fruity. It follows with being a little fruity and malty on the palate but doesn't get super exciting or controversial. It starts sweet and evolves into a light oak spice. The finish goes a little sour and bitter oak to me with a touch of alcohol. Someone on Reddit described it as "Gourmet Mac and Cheese" and I think that fits. It's like the gourmet Mac and Cheese of the single malts. It's a nice dram when I just want a drink and don't want anything too challenging for my palate. There are times for a complex whisky and this is good for the other times.

Very smooth, slightly sweet with oak undertones