fredag 8. juni 2012

#9 Classic Malts: Glenlivet Distillery

As you all may know, Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in Scotland, 1823 was the year I think. And till this day it has been a massive seller worldwide. I think their OB's are a bit too middle-of-the-road for my liking, but to justify or deny that statement, I've put the 12yo OB in this session as well. Other bottlings holding whisky distilled in the 70's, this might be a treat.



Glenlivet 12yo 40% OB

Golden color, one of the biggest selling single malts in the world, just a notch behind the Glenfiddich 12 and Glenmorangie Original. It smells malty, honey, straw, floral. This is just a light, modern whisky, that will fit with just about every whisky drinker, but I'm afraid it lacks a certain edge. If you never tried single malts before, I think this could be the perfect start. The taste then is roasted coffee, sweet grains, straw, coriander, lime chutney. Sort of a base whisky, one that would be the perfect arch-typical malt whisky.

A light and malt malt whisky: 5


Glenlivet 14yo 46% Cadenhead's

Some 70's bottling, I have found many of these 4cl 80 Proof Cadenhead's miniatures to be fantastic. Dark brown color, surely a sherried one, I wish whiskies of this color were as cheap and readily available today as it was back then. One can only dream. It smells sherried, oloroso, sweet cinnamon, leather, oil, gasoline, very good so far. The taste is extremely dry and sherried, almost a'bunadh style. Drying, phenolic, licorice, red wine vinegar, honey, horse meat, peppery, extremely good, one of the most expressive young, diluted whiskies I've ever had.

Sherry Perfection: 8.5


Glenlivet 32yo 1977-2010 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#5969

Old whisky from a refill hogshead. I have to say that there often is a problem when small casks are used for hosting whiskies for 30+years, as the big contact with the oak might make it become just a bit too oaky... so to speak. The color is very light, almost like white wine. It smells licorice, wheat, apple pie, bananas, cream, pig kidneys, bacon fat, a very meaty and weird whisky, but a very fascinating one indeed, kinda reminds me of old Fettercairns. The taste is spicy, marzipan, almonds, nutty, caramel, milk chocolate, cactus, eucalyptus. The finish is long and lingering with potato starch and herbs.

A very good oldie: 8.5


Glenlivet 33yo 1975-2009 51.2% Celtic Heartlands

Another one from a cask that has survived since the 70's, and hopefully another revelation from Glenlivet. Nice golden hue. It smells very burnt at first, and oaky. Far from the complexity I found in the 32yo. The taste is peppery, sweet, corn flour, maybe some water is needed? With a couple drops it gets even more peppery, and unfortunately, at this age, it lacks some complexity, or just more flavors if you like. The aftretaste is very herbal and oaky.

This just doesn't cut it in my book: 3.5


Glenlivet 16yo 1974-1990 54.3% Cadenhead's

Another young one, or at least in this tasting. The last one from WMC was very good, lets hope this one follows that thread. The color is very light. It smells sweet and peppery, fuel, paint thinner, burnt rubber, burnt wood, interesting. The taste is peppery, lime rind, oaky, more peppery notes, salmi. This is just too raw and spirity for my tastebuds, but if you like to see Glenlivet in a new light this sure could be it. If you're willing to pay a small fortune then, as it's bottled over 20 years ago. What is to be mentioned is that it knocks every Nadurra out of the park.

The most powerful Glenlivet I ever had: 5.5



Next tasting: #10 Classic Malts (last one... guess which it is?)

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