The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70 cl with Gift Box

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I was expecting this one to be decent, but I expected it to be completely eclipsed by the HP 18 year old. Don't get me wrong, I prefer the HP 18, but the HP 18 didn't quite reach my expectations whereas this one exceeded them, and it's more than capable of playing in the same sandbox. I tossed up between 8.5 and 9, I've decided on 8.5, but it was a close one. We may, but are not under any obligation, to release new functionalities and tools or other features for the Service every now and then. Any new functionalities, tools and features shall be part of and governed by the Terms from the moment they are launched and/or available. Further, we reserve the right to modify, change, discontinue the Service, add or remove features, update the Service, change its appearance, temporarily and permanently, at any time, in whole or any part thereof. The whisky matures for a set period: 12 years, 25 years or even more. This is when the whisky develops most of its flavour.

The ex-sherry cask aged components blended here must be very minimal. I’m more inclined to think that a small portion of ex-sherry cask-matured Glenlivet was blended in this expression, rather than it being a finish. The distillery DNA and American oak flavors are more noticeable from start to end, while he ex-sherry notes like the dates, cherries and milk chocolate are sparingly present on the nose and finish. The Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve is aged for under a year in both new and charred Limousin French oak. The casks are then re-charred after each use. This is wasn’t mentioned in the tasting, but previous tastings have mentioned charring is said to reset a cask. I guess they want to keep the French oak influence as pure as they can. There is also some European oak/ex-sherry cask in this blend. Glenlivet 18 yrs has won prizes and is one of the classic Speyside drams, so I do know that many people like it very much. I guess it just doesn't fit in my palate like the great ones (and of course, over 80 points isn't bad, I was just expecting a score closer to 90).Glenlivet is strong but sweet, like a strong female leading role. Movie that comes to mind is definitely Steel Magnolias. Whiskybase B.V. (“Whiskybase”, “we” or “us”, company details below) offers a whisky enthusiasts online platform that provides its members access to the most comprehensive, transparent and trusted resource of whisky bottles and allows and stimulates its members to contribute information about whisky bottles to the platform (“Service”).

I found it to be pleasant - both to nose and its flavor bouquet - "fit for everyday use". It is competent sipped with or without a splash of water and being American - I often add a few cubes of ice, particularly in the summer. Nose (undiluted): Though the nose is a bit understated, the sherry cask influence is evident with dried fruits, but with more brightness than the raisins and dates profile I typically associate with sherried whisky. Dried cranberries and raisins perhaps. Cherries. Vanilla frosting, icing sugar, oak. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.This has been part of my struggle: I very much use my own crazy system. I score a whisky in 5 categories out of 6.5 (being perfect). So the max a whisky can score in my book is 32.5 Like a lot of the easily accessible whisky, it’s a lot more presentable on the nose. It’s very coherent and enticing. Once you get in the mouth, though, it’s a mess. The flavors get all bungled up, and a watery texture doesn’t help either. I feel like the finish was the best part because the flavors get their act together in that moment. I do think it is important for a person to really understand the "blinders" or "lenses" that a reviewer has when they rate a whisky. No one is objective. No whisky experience is objective. However, as you get to have a "read" on a reviewer you can make more informed decisions of how to treat their rating of a "78" or a "92" based on the criteria they use. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services.

Finish: Oaky and short and round. No real fireworks to speak of; it just sort of falls flat and dull. There is apple there but that is about it. I think this is a huge improvement over the 12-year-old. The blending of flavors is more cohesive, and there seems to be a better balance between oak influence and the distillery DNA. I feel like I’d enjoy this more if it weren’t so watery. NOSE: delicate, charming, deep with juicy apples wave and citrus fruits with fresh vanilla. PALATE: pretty gentle, but still medium balanced, with notes of apples, hint of honey, fruits and oak FINISH: long enough, warming, sweet fruit notes flows into tender oaky haze with enjoyable citrus hints at the very end In the mouth: A tropical fruit salad with an intermission of French oak in the middle. Like on the nose, it’s initially tropical fruits. I get light and slightly lasting tastes of cantaloupe, pineapples, sapodilla, starfruit, Fuji apples, honey and dried apricots. There’s a sneaking, rising heat here too as I chew it. The French oak manifests in the form of mushrooms. Similar to the nose, I get subtle and brief tastes of dried shiitake mushrooms, chaga powder and leather. At the end are a subtle mix of more tropical fruit notes with something bitter. The bitterness makes me think of biting into a fresh coconut husk, as well as honeydew and different shades of orange. Conclusions:

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Professional maltsters soak rich Scottish barley in water for several days, allowing it to germinate. Once the shoots have appeared, the barley is heated and dried, at which point it becomes known as ‘malt’. Whiskybase B.V. is the Dutch private limited liability company, having its statutory seat in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and its office at Zwaanshals 530, 3035 KS Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Whiskybase B.V. is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under no. 52072819.