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Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra

Cupid in the Cupboard

0 1291

LReview by @Lifewaterforce

20th Jun 2015

0

Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    91

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I bought this bottle here in Sweden as the price was good and also it happened to be from 2010. The Nadurra range has gotten good (well deserved) reviews out there the last couple of years.

So to test this myself i bought a litre bottle of present day Nadurra 16 year old at the duty free this january, so later on i will post my comparison review of that on the board.

Back to the older Nadurra>

Nose Intense barley sugar and a deep, complex vegetal and citrussy barley note. Confectionary or candied peach and pear. Rose dominated floral note.

Palate Full flavoured barley sugar and turkish delight, classic Glenlivet! Rosewater, cherries and hint of olives, hmmm. A natural vanilla, stem ginger and a floral element on the tail, as with the nose but here it is a violet tone that dominates slightly.

Finish The Bourbon oak holds with that glenlivet turkish delight, rosewater and an additional note of strawberry (note too sweet, but very natural)

Well this was fresh, well matured, solid and very complex single malt. All i can say is that this Nadurra range really has pedigree! Hope it will continue.

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12 comments

@paddockjudge
paddockjudge commented

@Lifewaterforce - Nice review. Nadurra 16 is a stunner. Your batch I presume is 1011L. I've owned three batches and have a difficult time choosing between 11/11 and 7/12 as my favourite.

9 years ago 0

Lifewaterforce commented

@paddockjudge > Thanks! The Nadurra range is real solid quality stuff, i think the quality of the bourbon casks must be top notch, and you are right this batch is indeed the 1011L. Your comment really makes me want to try the two batches you mentioned.

9 years ago 0

Taco commented

This is the one example of where the move to NAS pisses me off. This is a quality spirit with a good cask program and a reasonable price. It is also the only Glenlivet I will buy. Now they decide to drop it for a higher price NAS? What rocket scientists work at Glenlivet? I did buy the NAS Oloroso to compare and it is not only 20% more in price, it tastes very young and is not very good (at least not at the price). Got to be 8-10 years old with a bit of 12-15 thrown in. The ABV is also a tipoff as to the age. Buy the remaining bottles of the 16 and avoid the NAS.

9 years ago 0

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

Ouch! I hadn't heard that they're discontinuing the nàdurra 16. Bad move for glenlivet.

9 years ago 0

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

Ouch! I hadn't heard that they're discontinuing the nàdurra 16. Bad move for glenlivet.

9 years ago 0

Lifewaterforce commented

@Taco That really is bad news, i will stockpile the stuff, a retailer in germany has a 2013 batch and i can still get another bottle of this one, which i will purchase after hearing this, even though i have two bottles remaining. Thanks for the heads up, would hate the Nadurra 16 to die on me whilst unaware.

9 years ago 0

Taco commented

They've already replaced the 16 about a year ago with the Oloroso (60.7 ABV) and more recently the Bourbon version (about 63 ABV). The ABV says it's about 10 YO for the Oloroso and probably <10 for the Bourbon. HTH against GF 105 10 YO it tastes younger, so I'd guess 8-10. Against the 16, it was like a 6 YO. Haven't tried the NAS Bourbon and probably won't. Once the 16 is gone I won't be buying any Glenlivet. Good move on their part. :(

9 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

I can still find plenty of 16 YO Nadurra around me for ~$70 USD. I had one in 2013 and was unimpressed, but then again I'm a peat freak. Now that it's discontinued, though, I'm thinking of stashing one, with the expectation that a buddy in the future would probably love to try "that one really good Glenlivet they used to make."

And it is solid—just not impressive for me.

9 years ago 0

Taco commented

I kinda agree, as I'd rate it an 87. Not a spectacular whisky, but quality and consistency at a decent price. It's among the best unpeated bourbon cask whiskies out there. I only go through a bottle a year, but wonder when I'm drinking it why I don't have a pour more often. Even if it is a financial decision, they should keep it as a benchmark, since it is better than any of their other whiskies.

9 years ago 0

@DutchGaelisch
DutchGaelisch commented

It would be a shame when it's discontinued. Distillers have an important choice to make. Are they going for the big money on short term by selling young whisky for big prices (NAS) or are the going for quality products and steady money on long term by being transparent and tell the customer what's in the bottle and price it fairly? For example, I really like the statement Benromach made by putting 5 yo on the label, only for that I'm willing to buy there bottle. Octomore also mentions 5 yo on the bottle, I applaud that. Just let us taste how much skill you have to make wonderfull whisky at 5 yo!

9 years ago 0

@mct
mct commented

This is the easiest and smoothest to drink among its "Glen-" peers. The price is also very good for a whisky aged 16yrs!

Tip: a single ice cube wouldnt hurt but i prefer to drink straight.

9 years ago 0

Lifewaterforce commented

@Taco For me it's the same, no Nadurra 16, no more livet, maybe a 15 yr old someday. The 91 score is (because i forgot to say it) a lot for complexity, although it is also very drinkable @Oljas if you can, do it! it is worth a trip outside of the peat ;) This is a real "patience whisky" when it has opened up well it is delightfull @DutchGaelisch I understand the general move to NAS, first as we as customers can't know the stock the distillers happen to be sitting on, but also as they can compensate a rough young spirit with smoother 10+ yr stuff or take tired old whisky with overly strong tannins with young spirit. But as one could have predicted this has led to a steady downgrade in quality AND age (they aren't complementary) and i really agree with Benromach, healthy marketing with good quality stuff= WILL BUY @mct easy and smooth but not a simpleton that veteran whisky enthusiast can't enjoy, the complexity makes this a whisky maniacs nerdfest ^^

9 years ago 0