Glenlivet 12 Year Double Oak

OPTICS: Dull honey color, slightly cloudy. Thin, but somewhat viscous and oily. OLFACTION: Primarily honey and baking spice sweetness, with a less prominent layer of green/sour apple and tropical fruit (especially banana). Almost no ethanol scent or burn unless inhaled very deeply. Overall mild, muddled, subdued, and basic. Adding a tiny bit of water slightly increased the intensity of each scent component (most noticeably the Oloroso sherry). PALATE: Immediate general sweetness, gradually developing into milder notes of honey, sweet bread, Oloroso sherry, and faint orange peel. Consistent and pleasantly balanced (though generic) spiciness throughout. Orchard fruits (mostly red apple, with faint traces of pear), cinnamon, and vanilla appeared after adding a couple of drops of water. MOUTHFEEL: Refreshing, moderately crisp, watery, and very thin, perhaps excessively so (though it thickened slightly after adding water). Mild tingle/burn, especially when swallowing. FINISH: Dried straw/hay flavors, with lingering (but short-lived) spiciness and persistent hints of Oloroso sherry and vanilla. Long-lasting sandy/salty, "arid", and subtle cinnamon undertones.

Review #25 - Whisk(e)y #17 Smell - Gentle and floral, with a hint of maltiness. Initially, it appears slightly sour and sharp, but there's also a scent of honey and vanilla. Taste - Sweet and very floral, the first time I've found a whisky to be soapy. The whisky is very smooth, straightforward, with barely any spiciness, fruity notes, honey, vanilla, and some raisins. There's also a clear malty note, but not as prominent as in other whiskies of this age, with a slight effervescence on the palate as well. Aftertaste - Short to medium, being sweet and fruity, maintaining the light character from the taste, with no spiciness, dryness, or bitterness from the oak. Overall, I think it is very approachable and very mellow; the first pour seemed to have no alcohol in it. However, at times the floral soapiness feels overpowering and sickening, especially combined with the strong sweetness. It's a direct rival to the Glenfiddich 12, but they are almost entirely different. The Glenlivet 12 is smooth, sweet, and very approachable, ideal for a beginner, whereas the Glenfiddich 12 is much more complex, with spice, dryness, oaky woodiness, and distinct fruit, which I consider an improvement. Rating System: 5.0 - Legendary 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB

I unexpectedly got this bottle as a holiday gift from a very kind and wonderful coworker. I'm not an expert on scotches, but this is a good example to try when starting with this style. It was very easy to approach overall and not very complicated. A perfect example of a daily drinker you don't have to think about. The nose had fresh pears and grains. The taste was somewhat similar with hints of oak and a touch of honeyed sweetness. The finish was light and sudden. I would certainly suggest this to those wanting to explore the world of Scotch whiskeys. Just be careful how easily it's consumed.

Smell: Classic pleasant aroma of crisp orchard fruits, apple, pear, honey, toasted cereal, a hint of oak. Taste: honey with a light fruitiness, a hint of vanilla, a wisp of a floral note, oak, a hint of barrel char smoky note, transitions to a peppery finish with an almost grassy herbal-like quality tucked away within it. Overall, this is about as classic as you can get with a Scotch. Friendly, easygoing, and you know exactly what you're going to get every time. Nothing fancy, but always a solid performer. You really can't go wrong with this one.

A rich Single Malt Scotch from The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. It was aged in both European and American oak casks for at least 12 years before being bottled at 40% ABV. It greets with aromas of grains, wood, fruits, flowers, nuts, herbs & spices. Its rich & fruity life adds notes of malt, pineapple, apple juice, vanilla, honey, tea cakes & citrus blossoms. It concludes with a long & balanced finish featuring oak spice, peat smoke, cinnamon, nutmeg, marzipan & hazelnuts.

Initially, I spent $32 on this bottle, so amazing wasn't expected. I was entirely mistaken. Right away, honey's sweet taste reaches the tip of your tongue. The sweetness level is just right. It's followed by a very smooth taste and an apple aftertaste that lasts a minute or two. Truly delightful. I always recommend keeping a bottle of this in your collection.