The Glenlivet: 12-, 14-, and 15-Year Single Malt Scotch Reviews

 

If you've heard anything about Scotch, you've likely heard of The Glenlivet. I say that with some authority as it is the #1 best-selling single malt Scotch in the United States and the #2 best-selling globally.

 

The Glenlivet has a storied history. Established in 1824, this Speyside distillery was started by George Smith. According to The Glenlivet, in 1822, King George IV wound up in Scotland and asked Smith if he could part with a pour or so of his illegal but still respected Glenlivet whisky. Smith was no dummy and gave the king what he requested. Smith applied for the first legal distilling license in Glenlivet Parish two years later.

 

“This didn’t go down well with the illicit distillers around him and he was told he would burn along with his distillery. In a bid to protect himself from these sinister smugglers, he carried a pair of flintlock pistols with him at all times, making it clear he wasn’t afraid to use them. His courage set the foundation for our whisky today.” – The Glenlivet

 

About a decade later, Smith was distilling almost 200 gallons weekly, which naturally caught the attention of his competition.

 

In 1871, Smith passed away, and his son, John Gordon Smith, stepped up to continue operations. The competition decided they would also call themselves Glenlivet, and Smith, a former lawyer, successfully obtained the exclusive rights in 1884 to have his whisky called The Glenlivet. The distillery has been running continuously sans a hiatus during World War II.

 

Today, we’ll explore three of this distillery’s expressions: Glenlivet 12, Glenlivet 14, and Glenlivet 15. I procured 50mL bottles of each from a random liquor store to make that a reality.

 

Let’s #DrinkCurious and discover what these Single Malt Scotches are all about. For the record, I used a fresh Glencairn glass for each expression and sipped everything neat.

 

The Glenlivet 12 Double Oak

 

 

• Cask Type: European, then American Oak
• Age: 12 Years
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV (80°)
• Price per 750mL: $36.00

 

Appearance: The brilliant yellow-gold whisky formed a medium-thin rim with thicker, incredibly slow tears.

 

Nose: I smelled bananas, apples, pears, citrus, and vanilla. Drawing the air through my lips exposed me to rich chocolate.

 

Palate: The creamy mouthfeel was luxurious. I found vanilla, malt, and milk chocolate on the front. The middle offered lemon zest, bananas, and apricots, while the back included nutmeg, oak, and pineapples.

 

Finish: Things began funky with a slight Band-Aid quality. It dissipated quickly before transitioning to bananas, apricots, pineapples, and lemon; then there was oak spice and black pepper. Yet, at its crescendo, there was a wave of vanilla. The duration ran 0:57, ranking it medium.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The Glenlivet 12 is one of those classic Scotch whiskies that embodies everything a newcomer would assume Scotch whisky is (sans the peat). A flavorful choice, it is one that would attract newbies and fans alike. It is priced fairly, readily available, and worthy of my Bottle rating.

 

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

The Glenlivet 14 Cognac Cask Collection

 

 

• Cask Type: Bourbon and Sherry casks, then a portion 6+ months in Cognac casks
• Age: 14 years
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV (80°)
• Price per 750mL: $45.00

 

Appearance: The rose-gold colored whisky produced a microthin rim and a sheer curtain that quickly fell back into the pool.

 

Nose: The aroma highlighted various stonefruits, including plums, dates, and apricots, along with raisins, honey, and toffee. As I inhaled the vapor into my mouth, there was more honey.

 

Palate: I encountered a thin, oily texture. The front of my palate discovered caramel, toffee, and honey. Flavors of cherries and white grapes hit my mid-palate. The back included apples, pears, and vanilla.

 

Finish: The finish consisted of cherries, white grapes, apples, and honey. I timed it at 0:29, making it exceedingly short.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I found Glenlivet 14 a simple sipper, so much so that I found myself bored. I can’t see myself buying another or even ordering it at a Bar, but you should do that before committing to a purchase.

 

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

The Glenlivet 15 French Oak

 

 

• Cask Type: Bourbon and Sherry casks, plus a portion in French Limousin Oak
• Age: 15 years
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV (80°)
• Price per 750mL: $75.00

 

Appearance: The whisky looked like liquid gold. A medium rim formed thick, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: My olfactory sense discerned vanilla, oranges, star fruit, apples, and honey. Inside my mouth, the air tasted of orange zest and chocolate.

 

Palate: There was a thin, viscous consistency as I took my first sip. Flavors of star fruit, vanilla, and apples were on the front of my palate. The middle featured toffee, hazelnuts, and caramel. Oak spice, nutmeg, and dark chocolate were on the back.

 

Finish: It began soft, and its spiciness ramped up slowly. It remained warm with oak spice and nutmeg, allowing vanilla, toffee, and hazelnuts to calm it. At 0:48, it was a short-lived one.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: A classic Limousin influence was surprisingly lacking, which is usually very warm and spicy. Perhaps that’s an issue of proof; again, this one is only 40% ABV. I am curious about what characteristics might have appeared, especially that French oak.

 

The Glenlivet 15 is priced competitively to other 15-year Speyside Single Malts. Yet, it needs some oomph. In my opinion, I’d try this at a Bar first.   

 

Final Thoughts: The Glenlivet isn’t my go-to brand, yet for the most part, I enjoy what it produces. There’s a reason that it is one of the most popular whiskies in the world, and I can appreciate that.

 

Regarding my preferences, I’d rank these as 12-year, 15-year, and 14-year, with a reasonably large gap between 15 and 14. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.