The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
80 Proof
Price Point: $45 – $55 for 750 ML
Distiller: Glenlivet Distillery
Background
We’re seeing a trend in whisky, moving from a shelf full of 8 year, 12 year, 18 year old whiskies, to a shelf where numbers are difficult to find. This leads us to believe that distillers had not planned for the high whisky demand of today, and supply is limited.
Enter Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, the probable (inevitable?) replacement for the flagship Glenlivet 12 Year Old.
Review
My first impression on the nose is that this is much maltier than typical Glenlivet whiskies. There’s leather and oak, a hint of the trademark Glenlivet pineapple, and some strawberries. Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve noses like a solid, slightly sweet, single malt Scotch.
On the palate, malt is yet again at the forefront. There’s charred oak, with nothing out of the ordinary (no sherry or bourbon barrel finish evident, and no peat or smoke). There’s a touch of lemon noted while tasting Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. It’s easy drinking at 40%; a young and tasty whisky with a sweet side.
This whisky has the signature Glenlivet finish with malt balanced by citrus; somewhat long lasting,
Rating & Recommendations
Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve earns a rating of 82 out of 100.
This no age statement whisky scores decent points with me, but I’m not sure what makes this unique, competing against other entry-level expressions. It will be interesting to watch Glenlivet’s path as they attempt to phase out their standard 12 Year Old.
-Ryan