Glenlivet 12 Year Old

Not much to say about this particular expression. Back in my early Scotch days I used to work short stints in Sault St Marie (home to the best Pizza in Canada if not the world), and given that all my expenses (except food) were covered, I used to allow myself the “luxury” of using the Air Canada lounge (in those days there was no free wifi at the airport).

The two scotches on offer were JW Black and Glenlivet 12. I found the 12 to be drinkable and tasty. The novelty wore off however. The flight isn’t long so you can’t drink a lot before and still rent a car, and on later trips I timed it so I could get there just before I had to board, and spend more time with my kids before I left.

But I remembered the Livet 12 favourably, so when a friend of mine brought me a 375 cc bottle that a friend was trying to get rid of, I accepted it. I opened it in December 2014, for a friend of my wife who wanted to learn a bit about Scotch. It’s a good entry malt. Tastes ok without blowing someone away.

In 2015 @nosebleed’s family came to Ontario and we drove to Quebec on a road trip. His wife wanted the bottle to hold cooking oil, so I decanted it into a 240 cc bottle, which remains 3/4 full (and gassed) since the last time it was open, September 9, 2018 (for a friend of the family).

This expression, reviewed in a standard Glencairn, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 21/25

Green apples, very fruity. Slightly spirity. Light fruit syrup. Stewed apples. Nice nose. Water brings out the apple a little, makes it warmer. (21.5/25)

Taste: 20/25

Slightly bitter arrival. Spirity. A little thin. Some fruit in the development. Not very complex. Better after a few sips. Water brings the fruit more forward, makes it sweeter. (21/25)

Finish: 21/25

Fairly short. Some tannins and a little apple.

Balance: 20/25

The nose promises more than the palate delivers. Much better with water. (21/25)

Score: Neat - 82/100 With Water: 84.5/100

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This is not bad. But it’s not spectacular. If offered at a party I would be inclined to accept. With a few drops of water, of course.

Definitely one to use to bring new people into the fold.

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