Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection (Travel Retail)

Nose: Apples, pears, apricot, peach, pineapple, musk candies, honeycomb, milk chocolate, vanilla nougat with cherries and almonds. Deep honeyed floral notes are also present. It's a very fresh-fruit nose with spice and floral accents. Adding a little water truly unfolds the aromas, revealing baked bananas and crème brûlée. Palate: The initial taste is drying and woody, then opens to a bit of spice (cinnamon). The flavors develop into orange, weak coffee, and some oak tannins. The texture is creamy. Dilution enhances the palate as much as the nose, maintaining the neat balance but gaining a soft, lingering warmth. Finish: Medium. Nutty, herbal, and spicy, fading to grapefruit. Water softens the finish and adds a pleasant barley-sugar sweetness to balance the grapefruit. A very enjoyable whiskey that is both warm and comforting, yet curiously refreshing. Tasted neat, the nose is full of aromas and the palate is a spicy treat, but its elegance only emerges with a slight reduction. The older Nàdurra 16 year olds bottled at around 55% ABV or higher were excellent, and while this Travel Retail 48% ABV First-Fill expression shares some characteristics, it lacks the depth of character that only 16 years of aging can provide, which I miss in this dram. The 16 year old has not been produced since 2014. Although cask strength editions of Nàdurra First-Fill Selection are available, it's worth watching the auctions for a 16 year old. It would justify the extra cost. Tasted from a 30ml sample "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

My fourth Glenlivet, and thus far my favorite. This Nadurra First Fill selection presents a robust aroma and a pleasant taste. Bottled at 48% alcohol by volume, with a pale yellow hue (the lightest color I've ever observed in a whiskey). On the nose: A significant amount of banana, like a whole bunch. Also has a champagne-like aroma and possibly some spices. This Glenlivet's aroma is distinct from other expressions, with a faint, almost ethereal scent. On the palate, it's an explosion of spice, highly adaptable, with notes of ginger and pepper. Banana is also present, along with toffee and a slight bitterness. The finish is lengthy, featuring liquorice notes, very appealing. Overall, I rated this an 89 out of 100, and I absolutely endorse it. Magnificent.

From Batch FF0714. Quite intriguing. First fill American Oak. Appears yellow gold. Robust and vibrant with hints of woodworking, ichtyol, and medicinal notes. The alcohol is quite apparent. Requires a little water and some time to open up.

Not entirely certain of the specific Nadurra expression, but it was potentially one of the finest scotches I've sampled. Was unpleasantly surprised when my bill came and it was $41.00 though. Rate 4.5/5

Oak and toffee on the nose. The flavors start with oak, then toffee, fruit, and a touch of floral notes. Nice, long finish.

Notes of toffee and caramel are amazing. There aren't many things better than this Scotch. Keep them coming!