I mentioned in my last post that my wife surprised me with a few bottles of whisky this Christmas. She was pretty sure that I had never tried The Glenlivet before. Not being sure if I'd prefer the 12 year or the 15 year, she erred on the side of caution and picked me up the 3-bottle sampler than includes a 200ml bottle of the 12 year, 15 year, and 18 year!



A full bottle of the 12 year will set you back $55 bucks. The 15 costs $65, and the 18 costs a $100 bucks. To get a sampling of all three for $75 bucks is a pretty sweet deal.



The cardboard sleeve slides off to reveal a beautiful, sturdy, presentation box.







According to Master of Malt…

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old:Nose: Sweet creamy vanilla, honey, pineapple, vanilla, pressed apples and a little cinnamon.Palate: Apple cores, fresh and fruity trifle and creamy citrus.Finish: Long and delicious, almonds and apple.

I agree. The 12 was a very approachable whisky. Much like Glenmorangie Original and Glenfiddich 12, this is a whisky you'd could buy anyone and they'll not be put off or intimidated by it. It's very smooth, tasty, and all-around enjoyable.

The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak ReserveNose: Rich and oaked. There are notes of chewy resinous wood with a well-balanced acidity. Fudge and Madeira with apple crumble with calvados. Palate: Full and rich with winter spice; cinnamon and cloves, thick oak with developing aridity. Finish: Long and dry with a peppery note.

I have to say, the 15 year left me a little unimpressed. Maybe after another glass or two, I'll have a better appreciation for it, but at first blush, I was left wondering "where's the whisky"?

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Nose: Is quite big and well-rounded. There are notes of chewy sultanas and sherried peels, barley sugars and toasty cereals with petals and apple blossom. A touch of fudge and gentle wisps of smoke. Palate: Full and rich with notes of chewy, tannic oak. Manuka honey and walnut with Cox’s apples and orange peels. Cut herbs; fennel and spearmint. Finish: Long and dry with a spicy oak note.

I had high hopes for the 18, being the first 18 year single malt I'd tried. You can't count Johnnie Walker Platinum, being a blend. So I was really curious to see what an 18 year single malt could offer. Again, I was underwhelmed by it at first. I took a few sips, and like the 15 year, really couldn't pick out a lot of the subtleties. I let it sit in my glass for 15 minutes to open up, and I went back to it. A little time in the glass helped it a lot. The oakiness was there, but overall, if I didn't know it was an 18 year, I couldn't have told you. This is why the small-bottle samplers are great. Can you imagine spending $100 on a full bottle and being left completely underwhelmed?