Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 Year

I missed out on these older Nadurra bottlings. Glenlivet used to release the Nadurra (meaning “natural” in Gaelic) line with a 16-year age statement until around 2014/2015. Due to diminishing stock, they've transitioned the entire line to NAS releases. My serious exploration of scotch didn't begin until 2015, so I didn't get the chance to buy these when they were readily available. Fortunately, they can still be found at auction for a reasonable price. I acquired two bottles, including this one from Batch #0114A (bottled in January 2014, with the 'A' likely indicating the storage warehouse). Including auction fees and shipping, I paid $78 for this bottle, which I consider a great value for a 16-year-old single cask. I'm a big fan of the NAS Nadurra releases, so I was curious how an age-stated bottle would compare. It presents as crystal clear with a new gold hue in the Glencairn. It has a very oily consistency with sparse legs and tiny droplets clinging to the glass, strongly suggesting its high 55.3% ABV. The nose is heavily infused with honey, with vanilla and beeswax being the most prominent initial scents. Notes of apples, pears, and cut oak clearly indicate ex-bourbon casks and extended maturation. It never smelled hot or harsh. A promising start. The palate again highlights sweet honey. It's warmer than the nose suggested, but remains remarkably smooth and creamy. Mid-palate reveals the full influence of the wood, and towards the end of the sip, a fantastic cinnamon (like Red Hots) and black pepper note appears. This combination cuts through the sweetness and vanilla with a powerful intensity. I found that aspect particularly enjoyable. The finish is long, and the warmth lingers well after swallowing, with actual cinnamon and vanilla remaining until the next sip. Overall, this bottling still holds up well. I'm surprised to find that I'm not convinced it's superior to the NAS Nadurra First Fill. This is good news for Glenlivet, as it demonstrates they don't necessarily need longer aging, and quality hasn't suffered by switching to younger spirits. They seem adept at selecting casks worthy of the Nadurra name, and I hope that continues. These are the only Glenlivet expressions I'll likely purchase going forward. The entire Nadurra line is exceptional. If I can continue to find bottles of the 16-year-old at auction for a fair price, I will likely keep buying them. At $78, they are still less expensive than the NAS bottles locally ($85-90), so it makes sense to buy them. Don't hesitate to purchase any Nadurra product – it's high-quality spirit. This one earns a solid 4.25-4.5 stars from me. Cheers, my friends.

This expression, from batch 1214E, is notably potent at 60.2% ABV and aged for 16 years, bottled in 2014. While some criticize Glenlivet's standard range as diluted and uninspired, this bottling proves them wrong. Nose: Features fruity and floral scents like pear, peach, and coconut, complemented by marshmallow, toffee, vanilla, and honey. Hints of caramel and orange citrus are present, along with significant toasted almond and walnut, sugar cookie, and coconut notes. A subtle touch of cinnamon and oak appears at the end, not suggesting a spirit over 120 proof. Very good, but not exceptional. Palate: Dominated by bourbon cask characteristics – vanilla, caramel, toffee, and cola. It's very fruity, with apple, plum, pear, apricot, and orange. Roasted cashew is prominent, alongside graham cracker. Mid-palate, the subtle cinnamon and oak spice notes intensify significantly. As described, the lack of chill-filtering provides a creamier, fuller body. Excellent; this is where the whisky truly shines. Finish: Continues with roasted cashews and a distinct barrel char note. Darker fruit notes like Gala apple and plum persist, along with cola and vanilla. Cinnamon, baking spice, and oak create a long and impressive finish. This is among the finest mainland Scottish malts I've encountered recently, possibly the best within that category. It's uncut, non-chill filtered, aged 16 years, and priced under $100 (I paid $87). A palate worthy of deities and an enduring finish. No complaints whatsoever. It's regrettable that the age statement was removed from the Nadurra line. I was fortunate to find this bottle in 2019. At $87, it represents outstanding value. This expression sets a new standard for quality and affordability, marking the first mainland Scotch to receive a perfect 5-star rating in my reviews. A definite must-buy. Currently, it seems to be the definitive way to experience Glenlivet. I hope they reinstate the age statement; perhaps an optimistic wish, but for something this exceptional, I remain hopeful for its return. If you find one in 2019, don't hesitate. Cheers! Re-evaluation in February 2026. Same batch. Still a perfect score. Top-tier Glenlivet – I wish they'd bring this back. Nothing has surpassed it since.

My bottle is from Batch 0814D, 55.7% ABV. Nose: Buttery, caramel malt. Notes of oranges and barley sugar. Strong vanilla and some honey. As it breathes, aromas of pear and stewed apple appear. It evokes the feeling of a country kitchen with fresh-baked pies cooling on a wooden table. Later, apple blossoms and pineapple emerge. Adding water reveals the cask influence. Palate: Undiluted, the arrival is full of flavor but not excessively hot. The texture is quite buttery with an emphasis on malt. The development brings vanilla and some spicy pepper, with the texture becoming dry. Notes of orange oil. With water (and time) the palate opens and broadens but the profile remains the same. Finish: Undiluted, the finish is long and primarily cereal/vanilla, becoming quite dry with a hint of dark chocolate bitterness as oak spices linger. Water softens the finish pleasantly. It's always an enjoyable dram, indeed a very fine one, but for some reason, I tend to overlook it. It's a cask-strength batch expression and it certainly evolves over time. In the past, I've encountered expressions that were heavily coconut-focused, and others that were woody. The one I'm reviewing is buttery and fruity. The previous time I tasted it (batch 214E, 60.2%) my notes indicate I found it to be more red-fruit, biscuity, and spicy. One consistent characteristic across all expressions of Nadurra 16 is their tendency to be easily diluted; therefore, when adding water, do so slowly, drop by drop. The profile doesn't change drastically, but if you add too much water, it suddenly loses all its presence. In my opinion, you do need to temper it slightly, but I would suggest not reducing it too much below 50% ABV. It also requires time to sit and develop in the glass, and if adding water, allow it more time to rest and recover before tasting – it might seem thin and lacking character after dilution, but it will regain sweetness and body after about 10 minutes. Patience is well rewarded with this one. My bottle cost AUS$135, but now that it has been discontinued, the price has soared on the secondary market. Rating: 86/100 (4 stars).

This 16-year-old single malt is the original bottling in the Nadurra series. It's aged solely in first-fill bourbon barrels, with the First Fill NAS expression taking its place now. Like the others, this is an all-natural bottling, presented at cask strength of 55.3% ABV, non-chill filtered, and possessing a natural yellow-gold color. This particular bottle is from batch 0114A. The nose is overwhelmingly packed with vanilla and toasted coconut. Strong bourbon oak, orange marmalade, orange zest/oil, and cinnamon are present, along with a slightly tannic, nutty character. The aroma is quite sweet, offering notes of marshmallow, barley sugar, toffee, butterscotch, and peanut brittle. Fruity notes include green grapes, pears, melon, apples, and a hint of pineapple. There's also some honey, reminiscent of Nila Wafers, and more vanilla. I occasionally detected anise and fennel, but these were very brief. The palate begins with peppery bourbon notes, accompanied by sweet vanilla and oak. Orange zest, apples, pears, coconut, and a subtle tropical fruitiness emerge. Barley sugar, a slight grain alcohol sensation, and cinnamon red hots are noticeable. Nila Wafers, graham crackers, toffee, butterscotch, and light caramel are also present. The palate closely mirrors the nose without any unexpected elements. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, creamy, and coats the mouth. The finish is medium in length, featuring vanilla, bourbon, oak, and a dry quality. Vanilla is the predominant characteristic throughout, and while it's well-executed, I feel other elements are overshadowed and don't stand out enough. Perhaps it was just an off night for me, but I don't believe this expression surpasses the NAS version. In fact, I preferred that one more, despite the 16-year age statement. Nevertheless, this is a well-crafted spirit that I enjoyed considerably. Any of the Nadurra expressions are worth your time and money. A solid 4. Cheers

Is it wrong to drink whisky for the texture and not the flavor? Nadurra is an unusual whisky that makes us ponder that question. Smell - Vanilla overload! Floral notes. Toasted oak. Perhaps a hint of pear. Taste - more vanilla and oak. Take a malt whisky, give it all the characteristics of a bourbon with that fresh charred barrel and we're there. However, this is a soft, gentle malt. Giving off some honey and again, really faint touches of fruit. So to that question - mouth feel. This is the richest and creamiest whisky I can recall outside of a few bourbons. It's soft alcohol that doesn't overpower. I did find the flavor is a bit better with a few drops but it does slightly detract from the mouth feel, so it's a balancing act. $80 after tax. If I find more, I will buy more. This is really, really good stuff, folks. It's a shame they stopped making age statements. It is, however, pretty much a one-trick pony. It's not a wow bottle or one to save for special occasions. Add in that it's about $20 more than most would prefer for a daily drinking scotch. So, 2.5 stars. I can't say you must have this if you're into bourbon-finished scotch, but I think you should get a bottle.

Wow, this glass transports me directly to autumn. It's like holding an apple and a pear in each hand and taking large bites out of both, right in the middle of the orchard. Then there's cereal, some oak, and unripe strawberry. Great start. The taste has a bit of nutmeg and again it's full of pears and apples, but emphasizing the sweeter, riper side of those fruits, which makes this scotch like a liquid fruit tart. Then on top of that, there's coffee, a sweet and salty combination, ginger, oak spices and tannins, and cherry. It finishes with a final rush of orchard fruits, salted caramel, and the heat that I expected given the ABV. For some reason, I disliked the new, no-age-statement Nadurra First Fill. But this one makes up for that. Final note -- this scotch was bottled at cask strength so the proof varied. The one I tried was 60.2%, so on the high end of the scale. Thanks to a friend for the sample!