Glenlivet 18 Year Batch Reserve

Review #045 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 40% Comments: aged 18 years, first and second fill American oak and ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs start forming quickly. Nose: 15/20 Baking spices, strawberries, plumbs, crunchy pears, and butterscotch. Initially it had a harsh alcohol forward nose, but that dissipated after letting it rest about 15 minutes. Palate: 30/40 Mouthfeel is a little thin, and I’m not getting any big flavors standing out. I get honey, applesauce, brown sugar, grain cereal, and orange zest. The flavors play together nicely but it’s very mild. Finish: 33/40 Medium length finish. Chili pepper heat kicks things off, and as that fades it leaves behind orange citrus before transitioning to vanilla and cinnamon. Ends on a semi-bitter floral note. With Water: Water brings out some additional stone fruit flavors to the palate, plumbs and peaches. The finish ends on a salty note now and the floral notes are gone. Total: 78/100 Final thoughts: Saw this lonely bottle sitting on the shelf in the hotel bar, and couldn’t pass it up when the bartender told me the price. In fact I ordered a double, and I’ve had much worse for the price. Glad I had the opportunity to try this one, it was enjoyable to drink but I’m a bit disappointed by how mellow it is. The bottle was below 3/4 (when I usually hurry up to finish mine) and who knows how long it’s been open, so that could be a factor. This might be good for someone getting their feet wet with scotch, but I can also think of others that are more enjoyable for a lower price point. Price: $15 pour, my local liquor store sells these bottles for $150 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

For starters, apparently Glenlivet discontinued the 43%abv 18 yr and switched to a 40%abv last year with the 'Batch Reserve' label. I was confused why the smell and taste changed so significantly compared to my prior 18 yr tasting (done at River Roast in Chicago---no idea how long they've had that one there). My previous review holds true for the 'old' version, as this bottle I have is their new 'Batch Reserve' Nose - strong notes of honey, and a bit of some fruity/floral going on, this drink for me is stronger on the nose than the mouth Taste - smooth, easy to drink, notes of honey and other sweet bits but nothing overwhelming Finish - a light nip from the alcohol and finishes with an aftertaste that is floral Score - 3.75, a bit sad about the change from their prior 18 yr as that blew my mind, still an enhanced 12 yr but not exactly worth it with the price tag, hopefully I can find a bottle of the old stuff if I'm so lucky (without the 'Batch Reserve' tag that is) Scoring Legend 5.0 - Outstanding, unmatched to others 4.5 - Excellent, I will always keep a bottle in stock if possible 4.0 - Very good, quite enjoyable to drink, can consider as a go-to for a bottle of Scotch 3.5 - Good, would taste again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable. 2.0 - Inferior, able to drink but not enjoyable 1.5 and below—wouldn’t drink again unless I am desperate

N: Strawberry, peach, pear, caramel, floral notes, maybe some cut grass, mint and other dried herbs. Lots going on and working in a couple different directions. Nice. P: Caramel, vanilla, strawberry, stone fruit, buttercream, baking spice, fresh bread, some pine, some dried herbs. Smooth, creamy, rich mouthfeel. F: Baking spice, dash of cinnamon, fruit and the consistent dried herbs from the nose and palate. A savory toasted bread with some earthy notes. Little bit of heat, but not much. A lovely dram, no doubt, but about par for the age and price. Nothing stands out, good or bad. Wouldn't have a problem grabbing another, but not in any hurry to do so either. _______ Please come join an unofficial Distiller community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will provide a new one.)

Color: is a copper hue Unfortunately I believe the whiskey is colored. Nose: Very complex and and delicate, hints of orange vanilla toffee, caramel, a creamy buttery softness, sherry notes coming from the middle with a slight Okey tone with an ever so general smoke. Pallet: Oh so sweet! Very feminine and soft on the tongue, mouth watering and coating blasting the pallet with notes of dark fruits plums, grapes, dark cherry. Add a splash of water and the fruit becomes brighter with citrus fruits of oranges and vanilla oak influences. Finish: is a soft warmness with a hint of brown spices appearing, the vanilla after taste is quite pleasant. It leaves the pallet longing for another sip. This dram is so refined and delicate. So soft on the pallet with no heat spiciness to speak off you can hold it in your Mouth as long as you please! Has to be one of my all time favorite scotch whiskies.

notes of brown sugar, caramel, and toffee with a mild baking spice knocking around in the background. This seems like a good potential transition to scotch for bourbon rocks drinkers. I might have liked it earlier in my journey but to me the flavors are too muted probably because this is so watered down. There’s probably a decent base spirit lurking beneath the water, artificial coloring and processing done on this to make it ‘smooth’. This was a gift and I likely wouldn’t have bought it but I have fond memories of the 18 from 10 years ago and this is a shadow of that IMO.

A- amber +1, high viscosity N- typical glenlivet nose, seltzer, sweet (honey, vanilla, caramel) fruity (red apples, pears, sultanas, tangerines), cereal, wet oak P- light spicy arrival, half rich, half full, oily, sweet ( honey, vanilla, caramel), fruity ( tangerines, red apples, sultanas), barley malt, the oak is more prominent in the palate than in the nose F- short to medium, sweet-cereal-oaky aftertaste C- good entry level dram ( not my cup of tea) but it’s a safe profile especially if you are starting your whisky journey