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Friday 21 December 2012

18 Under 30 Part 16: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky




And so, the end is near... and you should hopefully by now all be on your seasonal Christmas break. If so, let us wish you a very merry Christmas and we're glad you survived the end of the world, Mayan-style. If, however, you're not yet off and you're still out, nose to the grindstone, working then you have our sympathy. Either way, it sounds like you need a good old dram!

Yesterday we brought you the recommendation of purchasing the Highland Park 12 Year Old, a fantastic whisky which give you a gentle introduction to the world of peated and smoky whiskies.

However, if island-style liquid really isn't you bag and you'd prefer something much more relaxed then can we recommend The Glenlivet 12 Year Old for you.

Often neglected due to it's ubiquity on both the back bar and the supermarket shelf, there is a reason why big brands such as this have (and crucially maintain) their success  because they're good! And for the price (often to be found on discount around this time of year) this is a real winner:


The Glenlivet 12 Years Old – 70cl – 40% ABV

Nose: A full flavoured nose of sweet vanilla and apple pie with a sugared topping. Some elderflower notes and a clean, crisp, Champagne tone with hints of other white flowers.

Palate: Easy to drink at the bottling strength, the apple pie notes develop into a cooked apple with hot custard topping. Aniseed and hint of cinnamon complete this very drinkable package. The vanillas from the oak are notable on the end of the dram.

Finish: Long and warming, this gives more of the green apple and cinnamon. Perfect with a block of ice.

Overall: Just a fantastic example of a great Speyside whisky for well under £30. In fact, at certain times of the year you can pick this up + the 20cl bottle of Lagavulin we reviewed earlier in this series for a pound or so over £30. The perfect way to start your whisky drinking journey.

It is bottles such as this which teach us a valuable lesson: just because the brand is a household name, it does not mean you should turn your nose up to. In fact, quite the opposite.

Under £30 here and here