The Glenlivet Nádurra Oloroso Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky
121.4 Proof
Price Point: $85 – $95 for 750 ML
Distiller: The Glenlivet Distillery
Background
Sometimes things are “greater than the sum of their parts”, to use a cliché term. What this means is that when you add individual components together, the value extracted is larger than simply the combination of those components.
In the case of whiskey, this can sometimes be true. A good example (to me) is Ardbeg Uigeadail. This is an Islay whisky that charges at you with mature oak, peaty/smoky intensity, and a sherry finish. For some whiskies, any one of these qualities can dominate the whisky’s character and ruin the dram. For others, the value you get is exactly the sum of their parts. In the case of Uigeadail, the net result is a whisky that tastes better than simply adding 1 + 1 + 1.
The Glenlivet Nádurra Oloroso Scotch presents something similar, in terms of my personal whisky preferences. I happen to like most Glenlivet whiskies, I love cask strength expressions, and it happens to be sherry matured. What could be better?
Review
On the nose, there’s sherry (raisins and grapes), along with creamy vanilla and the trademark Glenlivet pineapple. There’s also leather and malt to round things out.
On the palate, Glenlivet Nádurra Oloroso is malty with lots of sherry intensity. It drinks hot, but it’s far too flavorful to back away from. There’s leather and tobacco, without an overabundance of mature oak. The lack of age statement makes me think of the untapped potential for this whisky had it rested in a barrel for 16 years like the original Nádurra. However, this whisky does have an incredibly rich and full flavor profile.
This is a whisky that lingers on the finish with raisins and deep sherry sweetness.
Rating & Recommendations
Glenlivet Nádurra Oloroso earns a highly respectable rating of 87 out of 100.
This is certainly a tasty and complex whisky, but it’s lacking the unique characteristics of the original Nádurra. I’m not sure the value is there for the price point, and I’m not sure it’s value is greater than the sum of its parts.
-Ryan