Glenlivet 14 Year Cognac Cask Selection

I've had a lot of Glenlivet, but I've never had a cognac finished whisky as far as I can recall. This was a $49.99 impulse purchase at Costco. Sampled neat from a NEAT tasting glass after several minutes rest. The nose is apple skin, white grapes that are still a bit underripe, orchard fruit, slight ethanol, confectioner's sugar and wet autumn leaves. It's got a very nice aroma, slightly complex and warmly inviting. Glenlivet tends to be an inoffensive dram in my experience. From the 12 year to the 21, it's all nicely rounded and easy to sip. This promised more of the same. Mouthfeel is silky, soft and without objectionable spice. There's very little heat and it's slightly thin. The flavor opens with cereal notes, bready sweetness, grape must, plum, and ripe fruits. There's a blush of ginger and slight white pepper. The finish is moderately long, very smooth and without appreciable hot spice. This is a very easy sipper. This is good, but not great. It's tasty, has a bit of complexity and no one will be offended by this bottle. The cognac finish adds interest to what otherwise I think would be a forgettable but tasty-enough quaff. This is slightly above average for scotch whisky under $60 in my market (Tampa), but isn't a game changer at all. I'll enjoy the bottle but probably won't replace it. All that said I have to think this might be a good whisky to experiment with in a Vieux Carré instead of the combination of rye and cognac. I think it might make for an interesting twist on a classic cocktail. I'll report back!

[12.25.22] Father-in-law strikes again. Apparently, he's got a lawn-mowing, snow-blowing gig with the neighbors and they express their gratitude with artisan bread and whiskey. Where do nice people like this come from? He had a bottle and saved it for us to try on Christmas with the stockings. This may be the Goldilocks of Glenlivets. Price point is better, more seasoned (balanced) than the little siblings, this is boring... but in a good way. Sunshine, roses, honey, and sweet hardwood. This is an easy sipper that is sweet, smooth, and only a bit salty. Probably too simple given the price point for this bourbon guy who's always eyeing the next bottle of Russell's. But this is good. Although I'd choose Johnny Green Label first for the same price, this is probably a Green Spot contemporary (idk, it's been a while) for slightly lower price?

Nose - orange and pear, tingle on the nose Taste - very sweet and smooth Finish - short and sweet, flavors carry from the palate Score - 3.5, overall a very sweet drink 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 solid choice 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

Nose: fruity, dried fruits, white grape, orange peel, mild malt, vanilla, slight woody note, the lightest touch of a floral note. Not a super deep nose, but a solid classic scotch nose for sure. Palate: more of the fruity tones, dried fruits, baking spices, a nice sweet malt touch with a little vanilla and a medium coat on the tongue. Mild ashy barrel char with a little pepperiness on the finish that’s medium in length. Overall, a good scotch. Nothing that will wow you, but certainly nothing to refuse.

On the nose is fruity, fresh berries, some zest, caramel and cloves. On the palate you notice spices immediately, followed by a sweet note of grapes, almost raisin-type, almond and cinnamon. Finish is balanced. This is my favorite Glenlivet so far: I prefer this one over the 12, 15 or 18. It’s more complex than those, and different in profile at the same time.

It reminds me of a time walking through the grass with my nephew while he is sharing his sweet tarts and fruit snack pack with me. But we’ve eaten so many that my mouth gets a hint of rawness. Quite a light and easygoing experience through and through! Not a flavor profile I think I’ve had before.