Glenlivet 12 Year First Fill

Uncertain if this is presently in production, discontinued, or a special edition. I saw mentions it might be travel retail, but buying it locally contradicts that unless it’s a recent change. Anyway, this seems like an interesting twist on a whisky I once enjoyed but has grown ordinary. Let’s find out what the First Fill American Oak contributes to The Glenlivet. Nose: Offers apple, pear, apricot, and floral scents. Hints of golden raisin and apple citrus. Tastes of white grape. Sweet notes of honey, butterscotch, toffee, vanilla, malt, and caramel. Quite typical for Glenlivet/Speyside. Also presents coconut and almond. A touch of black pepper. Gentle cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Flavors of Gala apple, pear, apricot, cranberry, raisin, and orange citrus. Notes of toffee and banana. Vanilla and caramel. Coconut and almond. Butterscotch and honey. Marshmallow. A bit of lemon/lime citrus. It’s delicate. Perhaps a whisper of cherry. The slightest hint of cinnamon and spice. Finish: Sweetness of vanilla, toffee, caramel, honey, and marshmallow. Tastes of white grape and golden raisin. Almond. Raisin, dried apricot, and cranberry. A note of peppercorn. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and oak. It lingers for a moderate duration. Certainly better than the regular 12-year. It possesses the same taste elements, just amplified. It’s a traditional Speyside malt. I wouldn’t call it a bargain, but at $65, the enhanced quality compared to the standard 12 justifies the $10 premium. I rate this 3.75/5. A pleasing release from Glenlivet.

Nose - Poached pears, pineapple, caramel, vanilla, mild cinnamon, faint orange zest Taste - Vanilla, caramel, pineapple, mild cinnamon, poached pears, creamy coconut texture, orange zest very briefly on the front of the palate Finish - Lasting velvety cinnamon vanilla caramel, slight pleasant bitterness, sweet orange immediately after swallowing Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - This was unexpectedly good, and I doubt I would have identified it as a Glenlivet if tasted blind. It lacks the typical fresh apple/pear notes I usually associate with most Glenlivets. It's a distinctly different, and in a good way, spirit. I believe I prefer this over the standard 12, as it seems to possess richer, more caramel notes often found in older Scotches (though the slightly higher proof might contribute). It could serve as an excellent introductory Scotch for some, or a great budget mixer. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Yes

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old First Fill, 43.2% ABV. The Glenlivet is frequently the introductory scotch for newcomers to whisky. I've consistently enjoyed the standard 12 Year Old. The older 16 Year Old Nadurra was once an excellent value, but those days are gone. When I first encountered this bottling, I was quite eager to try a new rendition of the 12 Year Old. It's age-stated, matured exclusively in first-fill American oak casks, and has a slight increase in ABV. Additionally, the price was around $40. The aroma is bright with fresh citrus fruit, vanilla, caramel, orange peel, floral notes, and almond. Very pleasant. The taste is quite good, featuring abundant citrus and vanilla, tart citrus with some spice and more vanilla. The finish is short, primarily with spicy orange peel. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's definitely an improvement over the standard 12 Year Old, and the slight price increase is justified. I would highly recommend it. I believe it appeals to both whisky novices and experienced drinkers. Overall Score: B

The aroma is subtle, featuring predominantly floral and vanilla notes, alongside hints of sweet citrus, nuts, and caramel. The aroma doesn't hint at the intensity the palate is about to reveal. The taste truly comes alive on the tongue, appearing much more vibrant than the regular Glen 12. This spirit has a substantial, almost viscous mouthfeel, rich with cream and vanilla. Buttered biscuits, sweet citrus, and coconut are also discernible. The finish is smooth and persistent. Following the initial creamy palate notes, the finish presents as spicier, with ginger and cinnamon. Once the spice subsides, a pleasant oak note remains, encouraging another taste. This scotch is vastly different from the standard Glenlivet 12, offering considerably more flavor per sip and representing excellent value below $40. It may even be my preferred scotch in this price bracket.

This expression, finished in first-fill casks, offers more flavor than the 12yo. The Speyside character remains but announces its presence with an approachable nature. 40% ABV The nose is not complex, presenting a very direct profile that works well. Honey, apples, and cereal grains. It's like enjoying honey corn flakes for breakfast – pleasant and satisfying. The palate continues the Speyside theme with apples and pears, fresh fruit, and apple juice. The aftertaste has a peppery quality with a touch of burnt oak and oak spice. To truly characterize this whisky, I can say that it might be the perfect Speyside example for teaching someone about whisky. Exceptionally fruity. Rated 81 out of 100. It's reasonably priced, so consider getting a bottle.

A superb upgrade from the standard 40% abv 12. This is a more sophisticated scotch for someone discerning who still favors The Glenlivet. It has considerably less fruitiness than the standard 12. Notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice such as cinnamon, alongside a touch of dark chocolate sweetness lead to a moderate finish. I perceive this as having a medium to light body. The more I taste it, the more I appreciate it. Packaged at a commendable 43.2% abv, it's a distinguished and graceful scotch. While The Glenlivet is a large producer of decent single malt scotch for the general public, this does not preclude them from crafting a superior 12-year-old malt. In fact, they have succeeded. Excellent quality and worth the cost, this is one to hold onto.