⚠️ [NOTE 1: Price reflects one 750-mL bottle purchased in person (excluding all taxes, shipping/delivery, fees, gratuity/tips, discount codes, etc.).] ⚠️ [NOTE 2: Tasting notes below reflect approximately 4.5 oz consumed neat at room temperature in a Glencairn glass from a newly purchased bottle, over the course of approximately one hour from start to finish. Two drops of bottled water were added roughly halfway through.] 👁 OPTICS | Dull honey in color. Slightly cloudy. Thin, yet somewhat gelatinous and oily. 👃 OLFACTION | Predominantly honey and baking-spice sweetness, masking a subtler layer of green/sour apple and tropical fruit (particularly banana). Virtually zero ethanol scent/burn without unnaturally deep inhalation. Overall mild, muddled, subdued, and simplistic. Minimal change post-water droplets, aside from slight increase in each olfactory element's intensity (most noticeably the Oloroso sherry). 👅 PALATE | Immediate general sweetness, slowly evolving into milder notes of honey, sweet bread, Oloroso sherry, and feint orange peel. Consistent and pleasantly-balanced (albeit generic) spiciness from start to finish. Orchard fruits (mainly red apple, with ethereal traces of pear), cinnamon, and vanilla emerged shortly after introducing water drops. 👄 MOUTHFEEL | Refreshing, moderately crisp, watery, and extremely thin...perhaps to a fault (though slightly thicker after adding water droplets). Mild tingliness/burn, particularly upon swallowing. 🏁 FINISH | Dried straw/hay flavors, with lingering (but short-lived) "spiciness" and persisting hints of Oloroso sherry and vanilla. Long-lasting sandy/salty, "arid", and subtle cinnamon overtones.
About this bottle
At the time of its founding in 1824 by George Smith, illicit distillation was common in the Livet Valley. Later, other whisky makers were capitalizing on the "Glenlivet" name so the founder's son, J.G. Smith, fought successfully to have the name changed to "The Glenlivet." The flagship single malt bottling of The Glenlivet is aged in European oak followed by American oak for a minimum of 12 years in total. In 2019, the brand added "Double Oak" to the 12 year-old bottling. It's the same classic whisky as before.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 50 parsed reviews.
Review #25 - Whisk(e)y #17 Nose - Soft and floral, with a touch of maltiness. At first it seems slightly sour and sharp, but there is also an aroma of honey and vanilla. Palate - Sweet and very floral, the first time I have found a whisky to be soapy. The whisky is very smooth, simple, barely any spiciness, fruity, with honey, vanilla and some raisins. There is also a clear malty note, but not as strong as in other whiskies of this age, with a slight effervescence on the palate as well. Finish - Short-medium, being sweet and fruity, maintaining the light character from the palate, with no spiciness, dryness or bitterness from the oak. Overall I think it is very approachable and very mellow, the first pour seemingly having no alcohol in it. But at times the floral soapiness seems overpowering and sickening, especially in combination with the strong sweetness. It is a direct competitor with the Glenfiddich 12, but they are almost completely different. The Glenlivet 12 is smooth, sweet and very approachable, perfect for a beginner, while the Glenfiddich 12 is much more complex, with spice, dryness, oaky woodiness and distinct fruit, which I consider to be a step-up. Rating System: 5.0 - Legendary 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB
I surprisingly received this bottle as a xmas gift from a very generous and lovely colleague at work. I'm not fully versed on scotches, but this is a great example of one you would try when getting introduced to this style. It was super approachable overall and not very complex. A perfect example of a daily drinker you don't have to think about. The nose was fresh pears and grains. The taste was somewhat similar with hints of oak and a kiss of honeyed sweetness. The finish was light and abrupt. I'd definitely recommend this to those wanting to dip their toes in the world of Scotch whiskeys. Just be wary as to how easy it is consumed.
Nose: Classic pleasant aroma of crisp orchard fruits, apple, pear, honey, toasted cereal, touch of oak. Palate: honey with a light fruitiness, touch of vanilla, a wisp of a floral note, oak, hint of a barrel char smoky note, transitions to a peppery finish with an almost grassy herbal-like quality tucked away in it. Overall, this is about as classic as you can get with a Scotch. Friendly, easy going, and you know exactly what you’re going to get every time. Nothing fancy, but always a solid straight shooter. You really can’t go wrong with this one.
A rich, Single Malt Scotch by The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, Scotland aged in both European and American oak casks for a minimum of 12 years before being bottled at 40% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits. flowers, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich & fruity life adds notes of malt, pineapple, apple juice, vanilla, honey, tea cakes & citrus blossoms; that led to a long & balanced death with notes of oak spice, peat smoke, cinnamon, nutmeg, marzipan & hazelnuts.
To start, i purchased this bottle for $32, so I can’t say I was expecting anything amazing. I was completely wrong. Immediately, you get the sweet taste of honey that hits the tip of the tongue. Just the right amount of sweetness too. Its followed with a very smooth taste and an aftertaste of apple that lingers for a minute or two. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend always having a bottle of this in your collection.
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