GLENLIVET
40 Year old single MALT
Spirit from one of the most enviable names in Scotch whisky history, granted the rare opportunity to mature for four decades in the cask, places this single malt among one of the most anticipated Scotch whisky releases of the year. A fruity and zesty nose, peppered with a hint of spice, gives way to a palate that delivers soft malt and toast, with sweeter, fudgy and heather honey notes layered as the experience continues. The finish is long and complex. This is a single malt not to be missed.
Region: Speyside
Bottled Year: 2019
Bottles: 114
Cask Number: 13523
Vintage: 1978
Strength: 41.7%
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Something almost like an old cognac about this one as there is a near ethereal lightness to this aroma. Gooseberries bursting in the sun, dates pepped up some white pepper and even a hint of cinnamon, yet among all the essences of old age comes slightly green banana, too. And who can’t spot the sugary, zesty bite of sherbet lemons in the sweet shop jar...?
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The low abv ensures the delivery is a softy in every sense: this is a glistening, malty caress, though soon some toasty tannins are in play to warm up proceedings. A burnt fudge midpoint which leads into the heather honey which spreads, almost grittily, across the roof of the mouth to give a strange but attractive coarseness to the sweetness.
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The problem, almost invariably, with low strength is a quicker than usual finish. But not here! A little honey lingers and there is even a late surge of barley to match the vanilla.
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An absolutely top-range malt which has used its 40 years in barrel to excellent, almost near perfect, effect. Not a single off note, no tang from the wood or any other disappointments. Just lots of elegance. And, using the Murray Method, more complexity and surprises than you might believe possible. One of the best Scotch malts released in the last 12 months.
Reviews
“An absolutely top-range malt which has used its 40 years in barrel to excellent, almost near perfect, effect. Not a single off note, no tang from the wood or any other disappointments. Just lots of elegance. And, using the Murray Method, more complexity and surprises than you might believe possible. One of the best Scotch malts released in the last 12 months.”
JIM MURRAY (96 points)
Region: SPEYSIDE
The region of Speyside is regarded as the Napa Valley of Scottish whisky, with the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland. Among those distilleries, clustered around the River Spey which runs through the heart of this region, are some of the highest regarded whisky makers in the world. Speyside first started showing signs of its dominance in the 19th century, the result of its ready access to expansive barley fields, strong train network, and an excellent water source: tributaries to the Spey River. The Speyside region shows huge diversity in its produce, covering the spectrum from light, heather-rich ‘breakfast’ whiskies to the rich and fruity ‘sherry bombs’ characteristic of some of the region’s most exalted names.
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Distillery: GLENLIVET
The Glenlivet has been built on foresight, beginning with that of founder George Smith, who was one of the first distillers to apply for a license under the reforms of 1823. The best-selling single malt in the United States, Glenlivet is a whisky so renowned that nearby distilleries have tried to profit from the association. In 1881, George Grant Smith sued to prevent rivals from using the Glenlivet name; a compromise was met in that distilleries were allowed to use the Glenlivet name as long as they appended it to their own. Sir Walter Scott wrote that the spirit was “worth all the wines of France for flavour, and more cordial to the system besides.”
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