Glenlivet Founder's Reserve

Thorough review.

I have to admit I would not drink this. I tried it at spirit of Toronto and found it very inferior to the 12.

The 12 is not what I would reach for, but if offered might not turn away. It is a good starter speysider for people easing into whisky.

I would however, drink water or nothing rather than this expression.

This is not to say it's not good to others, but it ticks none of the boxes for me.

Diet Coke?

I'm trying to stay off caffeine except in the am, and we've started phasing out diet softdrinks in favour of more healthy club soda (or seltzer for the americans).

But if I really needed to hold something in my hand I would take a diet coke over this.

@Nozinan I try to keep an open mind with everything I try irrespective of price and label. I think 77/100 accurately reflects this one for me. I can well imagine how this one would fall short if its not your preference, there were plenty of boxes not ticked - no peat, no complexity, young spirit etc etc. Luckily you know its not for you so you can stick with your diet coke and club soda :-)

@BigJoe thank you for the review. I tried this one, a rather uninspired dram. It was nice and forgettable enough, the nose and finish had nothing.

A shop near me has this priced $8 above the 12 year old, price creep strikes again.

@Frost I would agree with you there, and no way it is worth more than the 12, at that price I wouldn't even consider it.

@BigJoe,

Please don't misunderstand, I would rather have a good dram instead of or alongside (not in) a soda. But as I've mentioned before, aside from the occasional tasting I attend, I'm a bit of a lightweight, and my lifestyle does not lend itself to more heavy consumption of spirits.

I don't think that it's in my interest to regularly have more than 3-4 drams a week (personal choice, not medical opinion). It takes minimal effort to achieve this because between my job and my family, the opportunity does not present itself that often. I'm lucky if I get 2 nights in a week to have a dram, and I don't necessarily feel like it those times. And I like to linger over my whisky, so more than one in an evening is a rarity.

This is a long-winded way of saying I don't drink as often as many others, so unless I am at a tasting or spirit festival, where the goal is to try as much as possible, I am looking for 85/100 plus whiskies each time. I don't want to waste my opportunities on anything but the the finest spirits. Ad by finest, I use a broad enough definition to include reasonably priced offerings, not unobtainium. It doesn't have to be rare or expensive, just good quality.

This whisky will never make the grade for me. For people who like the profile and have more opportunities and are looking for a simple dram for variety, by all means. Just not for me.

@Nozinan Fair enough, I don't get many opportunities through the week for a dram either so I understand where you are coming from. I guess one thing about buying an average whisky is you really appreciate the better drops when you have them.

@BigJoe, good to have some idea of what's out there. Thanks for your review!

@Victor what's out there and as others would suggest 'what to avoid'. Hope to be doing some reviews from your recommendations at a later time.

I for one found the founders reserve slightly better than the 12, it's a good "whenever" drink, it's one you can give as a "fancy a quick dram while your here" drink.. People seem to forget it is an entry level bottle in the liver core range, it's never going to be a world beater. When on offer it's a very good priced bottle..

@sorren Absolutely agree with you there. Interesting that you put it above the 12, I would say that its sweeter. An easy one to go for anytime or when in company of the new or casual whisky drinker.