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Glenlivet 12 Year Old

Lesser 'Livet...

0 477

@hunggarReview by @hunggar

16th Nov 2014

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    77

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Glenlivet’s expressions can be hit or miss, but I am a fan of their house style, which typically involves a pineapple note and some well-integrated baking spices. Interestingly this 12 year old sitting in front of me is perhaps THE biggest single malt in Pernod-Ricard’s portfolio. Glenlivet 12 often finds itself neck and neck with Glenfiddich 12 as the most consumed single malt in the world. But does quality lose priority to quantity when you’re producing such a massive amount of whisky? Spoiler alert; yes.

Nose: The signature Glenlivet pineapple note is here, as are apples, pears, caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar, and malt. It’s inviting enough.

Palate: Light mouthfeel, with a roasted quality to the flavours. As expected, apples, pears, pineapples, nuts, caramel, baking spices, a pinch of salt, and some honey.

Finish: Roasted… no, burnt nuts, pineapple, canned fruit salad, apple-cinnamon, white pepper, honey, artificial sweetener, and a nondescript floral note. The finish is short, and not particularly to my liking.

Obviously this isn't meant to be premium, so my expectations were planted firmly on the ground. It checks most of the boxes for an introductory dram, but it’s not what it could be. There are a few problems with the finish. First, there’s a burnt/charred note that seems out of place. Then there’s the artificial “canned fruit” sweetness that I don’t care for. Finally the baking spices that Glenlivet does so well lack the complexity that the older expressions boast. Ultimately this is a decent, albeit forgettable whisky.

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4 comments

@BigJoe
BigJoe commented

@hunggar, This is a well written and descriptive review. Even though it has received an underwhelming score the notes you have expressed appear typically Speyside and inviting. It's been a while since I last tried the 12 and I am very tempted to go out and get a bottle to sample alongside or blindly with the Founder's Reserve that I recently purchased.

8 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

@BigJoe, I have friends who genuinely like the stuff, and consider it great value for money. I think it's drinkable, but not particularly interesting. I'm not sure how the Founder's Reserve will measure up, but I look forward to hearing about your head to head. Cheers.

8 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

I tried the founder's reserve at Spirit of Toronto this year. It does poorly vs the 12 in my opinion. The 12 is good for beginners, but I wouldn't give the founder's to someone I wanted to bring into the world of whisky.

8 years ago 0

@hunggar
hunggar commented

@Nozinan, I suppose that's to be expected. I'd have been surprised if that wasn't the case.

8 years ago 0

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