Established in 1824 the Glenlivet distillery has been a favorite single malt for many generations of drinkers around the world. Currently it’s the #1 selling single malt Scotch brand here in America and #2 in the world. It’s an unpeated malt whisky that’s light, accessible, tasty, easy to drink and a shade boring.
A starting point for many budding Scotch lovers its light clean flavor is so tasty and accessible that it can often change the mind of people who think they don’t like scotch. In fact the only things I would say are better “intro” scotches would be Glenfiddich 12 and Glenmorangie 10. None of these, including Glenlivet, have that smoky / peaty character that a lot of people associate with scotch and leans more heavily towards honey and fruit flavors.
Glenlivet 12 Review
ABV: 40%
Price: $28 (750ml)
Distiller: Glenlivet
EYE
Dark copper with medium legs
NOSE
Very light nose with malt and vanilla making up the core of the aroma. Hints of light orchard fruit, citrus, honey, graham cracker and a sweet strawberry like sweetness make up the rest.
TASTE
Like the nose this is a very lightly flavored whisky. Malt and vanilla are again the major players with some grassy notes, honey, red licorice and some light orchard fruit rounding out the palate.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decently balanced with a medium body and a small amount of burn on an otherwise light and easy texture.
FINISH
Wood, malt and an ambiguous sweetness hang around for a long time on a slightly dry finish.
OVERALL
Despite saying it’s a shade boring I do indeed like it. It’s always good to get back to the basics from time to time and if you need a decent bottle of scotch for an evening with your friends that won’t break the bank then Glenlivet 12 will do fantastically. It’s versatile in that it’s tasty neat, holds up decently on the rocks and is cheap enough that you don’t feel bad using it in a good cocktail; it makes a stunning Rob Roy.
SCORE: 83/100
