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Glenlivet
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Glenlivet, 1973 Cellar Collection (Scotland) 
The eighth release in the ongoing Glenlivet Cellar Collection is a 1973 bottling, comprising spirit from three individual casks, giving an out-turn of just 853 bottles. It is the first expression to be the responsibility of Chivas Brothers’ Alan Winchester, who has recently been appointed Master Distiller for The Glenlivet, following in the footsteps of Jim Cryle, who has retired from the role.
Winchester’s involvement with The Glenlivet dates back to his appointment as brewer there in 1986, and Chivas point out that during the 36 years in which this whisky has been maturing, Winchester has never lived more than 20 minutes’ drive away from the distillery!
The 1973 Cellar Collection has been matured in one ex-Sherry butt and two American oak refill hogsheads, and offers a nose of sweet Sherry, Jaffa oranges, custard powder and cinnamon, while the palate is smooth and refined, yet bold, yielding spicy Sherry, ginger and peaches. Drying, nutty and gently tannic in the finish, with a suggestion of aniseed. 49.0% ABV, 70cl, £800.00, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Glenlivet, Cellar Collection 1969 (Scotland)
The exclusive Glenlivet Cellar Collection was established in 1999, and previous annual releases have included The 1967 Vintage, The American Oak Finish 30-Year-Old, The Glenlivet French Oak Finish 1983, and the The Glenlivet 1972 Cellar Collection.
This year’s limited edition 1969 expression was selected from the best casks of 1969 Glenlivet by Master Distiller Jim Cryle, and is presented in a solid ash frame, complete with leather and brass fittings. Each bottle is individually numbered and labelled with the bottling date and whisky strength.
The nose is soft yet voluptuous, with a range of fruits, most notably oranges, merging with spices and hazelnut. Soft and velvety on the palate, with more oranges and mixed spices, plus digestive biscuits and those floral notes that are one of The Glenlivet’s hallmarks. Long, elegant and complex in the finish. Another splendid vintage offering from one of Scotland’s finest distilleries.
50.8% ABV, 70cl, £375.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenlivet, Cellar Collection 1972 (Scotland)
In 1999 The Glenlivet launched its first Cellar Collection expression, dating from 1967, and subsequent bottlings have included whiskies from 1959 and 1964, along with a 30-year-old American Oak Finish and a 1983 French Oak Finish. The 2005 addition to the Cellar Collection was distilled in 1972, and just 2,015 individually numbered bottles were released. The Glenlivet’s Master Distiller Jim Cryle selected ten charred refill hogsheads from ‘warehouse 5’ for this expression. The result is a beautifully complex dram, giving toffee apples, vanilla, marzipan and some citrus notes on the nose. Smooth and spicy on the palate, with nuts, cinnamon and a hint of perfume. Although mature oak flavours are present, age has not allowed this Glenlivet to be overwhelmed by the wood, and it retains the distillery’s characteristic elegance and fruitiness. Mint and liquorice lead into a restrained yet peppery finish. Another great whisky from one of Scotland’s iconic distilleries. 52.3% ABV, 70cl, £400, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenlivet, Nàdurra 16-Year-Old Cask Strength (Scotland)
Nàdurra (Gaelic for natural) is non-chill filtered and is matured in first fill ex-Bourbon American oak casks. Previously only available at 48%abv, it is now also offered at cask strength.
Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Malts at Chivas Brothers, says, “The Glenlivet Nàdurra pays homage to The Glenlivet’s heritage which is second to none - thanks to the lack of chill filtering in its production process. This is a reflection of the original process that would have been employed by founder George Smith and preserves the full flavour of this wonderful malt, giving it more body and a richer texture.”
Classic Glenlivet floral, fruity, honeyed notes on the nose, with vanilla and gentle spice. The first-fill Bourbon casks add a rich and creamy character. The fruity, floral notes continue on the early palate, with a suggestion of rosewater, before a long drying oaky and nutty finish kicks in. A must for all Glenlivet fans. Available in specialist retailers in the USA, and in duty free.
57.0% ABV, 100cl, £35.0, Duty Free & Travel Retail. |  |
Glenlivet, Nadurra 1991 (Scotland)
The Glenlivet first launched a ‘Nadurra’ expression in 2005, and following on from the initial 16-year-old Cask Strength version and the 48.0% Travel Retail exclusive, the Speyside distillery is now offering a 1991 vintage bottling to the US market.
Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Malts at Chivas Brothers, says that “The Nadurra range has already proved a huge success, both with consumers and whisky experts alike…The Glenlivet is the No. 1 single malt in the dynamic US market which already accounts for 50 per cent of all global sales of the existing Nadurra range, making the US the natural choice as the launch market for Nadurra1991.”
The 1991 vintage has been selected from stocks of whisky distilled using Triumph, a variety of barley no longer employed by The Glenlivet, and a company spokesperson notes that “Keeping in line with the Nadurra range, the Nadurra 1991 is non-chill-filtered, which better retains its natural flavours with an additional richness and a creamy mouthfeel. The additional resting time and a broader range of casks provide a layer of complexity that is mildly sweeter and more fruit-forward then the existing Nadurra expressions.”
Soft and floral on the nose, with ripe peaches, fudge and Sherry. Beguiling. Velvety and mellow on the palate, with Jaffa oranges, clotted cream, honey and subtle spice. The lengthy finish is elegantly drying, with a nutty orange after taste. 48.0% ABV, 70cl, $85.00, USA only. | |
Glenlivet, The Glenlivet 12-Year-Old (Scotland)
A lovely, honeyed, floral, fragrant nose. Medium-bodied, smooth and malty on the palate, with vanilla sweetness. Not as sweet, however, as the nose might suggest. The finish is pleasantly lengthy and sophisticated. An all round sound, elegant dram at a sensible price. Good whisky and good value. 40.0% ABV, 70cl, 25, widely available. |  |
Glenlivet, The Glenlivet XXV (Scotland)
The Glenlivet is currently the number two premium single malt in the world, and, according to the historic brand’s owners it is “…aiming for the number one spot” currently occupied by Glenfiddich.
The Glenlivet range has recently been augmented by a 25-year-old expression, which becomes the oldest permanent release in the range. Distilled in 1980, and finished in first fill Sherry butts for around two years, The Glenlivet XXV is presented in a very handsome wooden gift box, though the slab of limestone that ‘reinforces’ the case seems slightly superfluous and adds dramatically to the weight of the item.
However, the box also contains a well presented booklet devoted to the roles of a number of the principal people responsible for key stages in the creation of The Glenlivet, along with a ‘certificate of quality’ signed by three members of the team.
The Oloroso Sherry influence meshes beautifully with The Glenlivet’s signature sweet, floral, honey and malt notes, giving a nutty spiciness and quite intensely fruity palate, with raisins to the fore. The finish embraces steadily drying oak. A rich, complex and satisfying after dinner dram.
43.0% ABV, 70cl, £160.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
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