Glenlivet Enigma

This is the third in a special line of mysterious The Glenlivet releases, following "Cipher" and "Code." "Enigma" offers an engaging, interactive way to enjoy whisky and challenge your tasting abilities. This time, The Glenlivet invites you to identify tasting and aroma notes by completing a crossword on their website. None of the words needed for the puzzle relate to whisky, but it's quite entertaining. You must complete three crosswords, with the difficulty increasing at each level. Successfully finishing the crossword reveals a tasting note: Apple; Spicy and Liquorice. While the "Code" experience was superior, I must admit this one provides a good alternative for enjoying a dram. Bottled at 60.6% ABV! Fantastic! Nose: Immediately detected tropical fruits, particularly pineapple. Also notes of apples, cider, cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. A hint of impalpable sugar and vanilla. A very nice, tropical aroma. Palate: Pineapple and apples present. It's very spicy, yet pleasant. Notes of brown sugar and apricots. Finish: Very well-balanced and good. Initially, it tastes like eating the core of a pineapple. Pepper, ginger, and wasabi. Quite pleasant. Liquorice notes too. Overall, this is a very good dram with notable highlights: 1. It has absolutely no alcohol aroma, which is remarkable considering its 60.6% ABV. 2. While the three notes from the crossword are easily identifiable, this whisky is far more complex than just those three elements. My score is 89 out of 100.

The aroma is quite substantial, leaning more towards malty and grassy rather than sweet or fruity. There's significant earthiness on the nose, possibly a hint of smoke, but it doesn't suggest a heavy smoke or peat presence. The aroma feels balanced, though not highly complex, with a trace of fruit (apples). The palate is somewhat unusual, starting with apples that linger, offering a crispness bordering on juiciness, alongside some earthy mushroom notes. It's fairly harsh, as expected given the ABV. The flavor is also richer and more bitter than anticipated from Glenlivet. There's a decent amount going on if you investigate closely, but it's on the subtler side. Adding water reveals more floral notes, though not extensively. However, more alcohol also emerges with the water. It's drinkable, but undeniably young. This is a functional scotch with subtle characteristics that can be enjoyed with deep exploration, but it's extremely hot even with water and clearly young. I would drink it, but it wouldn't be my top preference.

When I initially opened this, I found it to be just okay, not amazing considering its cost and the hype. It sat for the fall, and then I revisited it for a tasting. It improved dramatically! Its somewhat reserved, savory palate has erupted into a vibrant mix of honey, ginger, and heather – a fantastic Highland Scotch amplified. Not only is it sweeter now, but it handles the high proof better, and the smoky accent on the finish has vanished. I appreciate Islay peat, but it was out of place here. If I get the opportunity, I will certainly buy another bottle.

The nose has light fruits like pear and apple, with a distinct aroma of grass and sweetness. The proof is noticeable on the palate, with anise or licorice being prominent. It has a nice thick texture, unlike most Glenlivet. The alcohol content livens it up but also creates a somewhat astringent taste that might not suit newcomers. I'm enjoying this bottle, though I find it too expensive.

This one is quite harsh. My bottle indicates 60.6% ABV. There's a touch of strawberry, some vanilla, and a lot of spice. It tastes more like a flavored vodka than a single malt Scotch. Hopefully, it will mellow out in the coming months.

Not what I had hoped for - water helps, but it remains harsh. I'll try it again once the bottle has been open for a while, but I'm finding it difficult to appreciate this one.