Glenlivet 21 Year Archive

Nose: Initially the nose displays a finely balanced combination of deep fruits, apple cider and malt extract. There are oloroso sherry aromas of nuts and autumn leaves with honeyed and mild aromatic oak notes. The oak has a sandalwood quality. The nose acquires a leathery fragrance over time as the initial sweet tones subside, and over extended time it gains a dark toffee note. Palate: A rich, finely structured sherry oak arrival that at first shows delicate spice and then eventually more grippy tannins as it develops. This oak contribution gives it a slightly bitter but oily nutty character, and there is also the flavour of coffee grounds, dark chocolate and bitter marmalade. The texture is moderately oily, but not heavy. Finish: Medium/long. The mild coffee and dark chocolate notes linger into an aftertaste of dilute over-brewed black tea. The nose is well balanced and multi-faceted, but in it's soul this is a woody aroma - it's just that the oak is so well tempered and soft that it never overtakes any of the other notes. The cask management was perfect and over time the nose gains a pillowy, luxurious nature without ever becoming cloying or syrupy. For me it's a textbook example of a well done sherried Speyside nose, and very typical of old Glenlivet. The palate is more assertive than the nose and has more oak dryness. This is tempered by an oily, nutty quality that lends balance without veering into sweetness. It's an interesting palate because from the entry you think that it will progress sweetly but instead it evolves towards dry, woody characteristics that almost border on astringincy. These notes continue to build into the the finish. With extended time in the glass the palate gains tobacco notes. Water considerably mutes the nose and the whisky suffers, fracturing rapidly into a ghost of its true self. At 43% this cannot take much water and I much preferred the character of the neat nose. The palate fares similarly, becoming insipid and developing a one-note simplicity with water. Although I generally prefer my single malts with a drop of water, this is one that I would encourage you to take neat as for all its seeming strength of presentation it is quite fragile. Elegant, dry and bordering on austere. This is a very good whisky but I did feel that it is way overpriced and consequently I won't be seeking out a bottle. Tasted from a 30ml sampler. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)

Nose: full, powerful, lots of sherry, raisins, caramel. Palate: sherry and caramel, raisins macerated in alcohol, cocoa shortcrust pastry. Light coffee that pops up as you approach the finish. A hint of spiciness on the tongue. It fills the mouth and tongue, not a sour note. Warm and enveloping finish, long, which fades from slightly bitter to sweet. An almost perfect whisky, with the right alcohol content, worthy of Glenlivet's XXV, with which it plays great. Rating 5.00 ___________________________________________________________________ Naso: pieno, potente, tanto sherry, uvetta, caramello. Palato: sherry e caramello, uvette macerate nell’alcool, pasta frolla al cacao. Leggero caffè che compare mentre ci si avvicina al finale. Una punta di piccante sulla lingua. Riempie la bocca e la lingua, non una nota stonata. Finale caldo e avvolgente, lungo, che sfuma dal leggermente amaro al dolce. Un whisky pressoché perfetto, con la giusta gradazione, degno del XXV sempre di Glenlivet, con il quale se la gioca alla grande. Voto 5,00

A beautiful expression of The Glenlivet that i was eager to taste. Finally i have had it and it was a fancy dram, easy drinkable and smooth, a little too straightforward maybe. Bottled at 43%abv. On the nose i really pick a lot of notes that i would normally get from the Glenlivet 15yo french oak. A very refined aroma. Vanilla cake, Raisins, Fruitcake. Amazing And Fancy aroma, sherriness is present. Custard cream and Pineapple. On the palate, this is a wonderfully light whisky. Very smooth, Vanilla, custard cream and cake. Just as the nose. Aftertaste is where something slightly is offered, a very bitter, truly bitter tobacco note (fantastic). Ginger. Super pleasant finish. Overall this is a fancy dram, made for people who can afford it and want a very smooth straightforward whisky. 89 over 100 is my score for it. Very pleasant experience.

It is very difficult for me to rate such a quality vintage product, with such a fine pedigree, this low. This is the first >20yr scotch I have tasted. I expected much more. All the beloved distillery notes I love from Glenlivet products are missing. Old musty smoke flavors arrive as the pour airs out in the glass. I am not a big fan of smoke or peat. Smoke overpowers other notes. I was also expecting more richness and a more creamier mouth feel. I think the 18 year might be the sweet spot at a much lower price point.(less than half) I just can't abide $300 for this bottle.

Nose- heavy sherry influence, maple syrup, cedar, raisins, soft vanilla Palate- dried fruits, light honey, butterscotch Finish- medium, chewy finish with spice and dried fruits Nose is really nice, with heavy sherry. Palate is good, nothing special though, and not very complex. Finish isn’t very impressive either, and is just average. This is quite a disappointing dram IMO.

I enjoyed this Scotch very much. The expert notes represent this expression very well. Personally the qualities that stand out are the fact it is exceptionally smooth and easy to drink. However it seems to lack the complexity and depth of comparable Scotch from the same region. For comparison, i found the Dalmore Luminary No 2 to be more interesting