Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso Batch OLO614

Thank you for letting me try this at your tasting evening. I like cask strength sherry matured whiskies. Now I can confidently let this one pass....

@talexander, it is good to hear your take on this one. That's too bad to hear about the sulphur issue. Thanks for your review.

Thanks for the review. I have an unopened bottle of this, so it's a bit disappointing to hear about the sulphur issue. Wondering if I should exchange it for something else....

Whisky Magazine gave it a "Recommended" so who knows, you might like it. When I poured it for a group last week, though, the consensus was pretty much the same.

@mcsottydunc, I don't mind a little sulphur but this was not pleasant. Unless you feel the need to have a whole bottle to taste it, I recommend you do yourself a favour and put it towards something really good.

If I had my own open bottle I would make all of it available to you at no charge...

Life is too short for bad whisky.

@talexander, thank you for a candid review. I hope you don't mind that I sterilized the sink with this one.

@paddockjudge funny you should say that... Alcohol hand wash is usually about 60% as well... So if you need to do surgery or something, you can wash with this first.

After this conversation I am definitely going to exchange my bottle tomorrow. The question is, Aberlour 16 or Jura 16 Duriachs instead?

@mscottydunc, don't recall if I've tried that Jura or not...but I love the Aberlour 16.

@Nozinan and @paddockjudge, you two need to have a "Siskel & Ebert" type whisky review show!

@talexander, that would be a lot of fun. We could have caramel popcorn and feature cask strength 'wheaters' on our first show...and mention every single film with an Oscar nominee that you will be rolling out.

How long has this bottle been opened? I ask as I wonder if the sulphur hit would subside over time once the bottle has been opened. Thanks for a great write-up.

I am thinking of getting a bottle tonight to mark my 4th 'anniversary' on Connosr...if I do, maybe I'll keep the bottle closed for a while and exchange it later? Questions, questions.

I tried the Nadurra oloroso at a Glenlivet tasting some months after the release. I´m not sure if it was the same batch, but I certainly had a strong preference for the "old" Bourbon matured Nadurra (Batch 08/13). I did not notice any sulphur, but I´m not sure if I easily detect this (I only noticed in A´Bundadh b 46, after direct comparison with b 45). But even witout sulphur, my rating of the oloroso Nadurra, is somewhere around 82. Not a bad whisky really, but a disappointment compared to the "real" Nadurra, or copared to A´Bundadh. In my opinion you can get better whisky at the price.

@talexander...another question (sorry) to gauge the context of your comments. How would you rate your typical sulphur sensitivity? I'm at the mild end as I have only experienced it a couple of times (Glendronach 12 on multiple tastings, and the end of bottle of Glenfarclas 15, which disappeared with water). Thanks!

It has been open for a few months - but I recall when I first opened it, it was pretty similar. I don't know if specifically sulphurous notes in whisky subside with oxidation or not.

I don't think my nose for sulphurous notes is hugely sensitive, but it's there and it's not a quality I like. To give an example: Jim Murray hates sulphur, and the vast majority of his poor review of the Glenmorangie Pride 1981 complained about too much sulphur. I had the opportunity to taste this at WhiskyFest NY, and while I didn't find the sulphur as overwhelming as he did, it was there (particularly on the finish). I didn't dislike it as much as he did but I wasn't crazy about it (especially for that price!) I don't recall detecting that note on the 'Farclas 15 (which I love). Though definitely on the Macallan Gold, Macallan Whisky Makers Edition and on a couple of Mortlachs.

Thanks for the comments! The 'Farclas sulphur was only at the very last couple of pours, after the bottle had been open for over two years, and more than 1/2 empty for almost a full year (I had trouble letting go...it too is also one of my all time faves).

I think that I will indeed steer clear of the Nadurra Oloroso and figure out something else.

Mine has been open for almost two months, and I've tried small drams regularly to see if it improves. So far it tastes the same as when opened, which is not a good sign. The sulfur is not that strong, but overall it tastes a bit "off". Musty, somewhat young, and fairly bland. I got a bottle of the 16 Nadurra at the same time and would advise buying up those instead before they are gone, if you like that version. A much better whisky at a lower cost. GF101, Macallan CS and A'bunadh are all much better and actually taste older, which makes me wonder how old the whisky actually is! I guess the high ABV gives a clue that it's no more than 10 YO. Scary thing is the new bourbon Nadurra's over 63% ABV! So is it 8 YO??!??! Putting this one on the back of the shelf and hoping time/air helps.

I am fortunate enough to have A'bunadh 47 & 49, so I will definitely pass on the Nadurra Oloroso (alas, the 'standard' Nadurra is sold out here...I would have gone for that had it been available). Quite possibly, I will end up re-stocking a bottle of Glenfarclas 15...I have been without for about a year! :) Thanks again everybody!