Glenlivet Guardians' Chapter Exotic Expression

Following voting by Glenlivet fans across 37 countries, a winner emerged - “Exotic”. This became the 2014 Guardians Chapter Limited Edition now available globally in limited numbers – for a very short time!

Having snapped up a bottle (or 2), my friend and I undertook a tasting of this much awaited dram from those great Speyside distillers. The bottle looks the business and comes in a very nice square cardboard box – all very well presented.

Colour: Light Golden

Nose: The immediate impression is that I could nose this whisky all night long. Its complex and hints of rum and raisin ice cream, chocolate and plum. The ex-Spanish sherry butt influence is there, but beautifully integrated into a nose that will make you smile for hours.

Palate: The immediate mouthfill is full, but still light. The first taste of this fantastic whisky immediately tells you it’s a Glenlivet, it has the signatory smooth and rounded taste that reminded me of their 25 year old. It’s so gentle, it’s like your throat is being caressed by angels.

After the initial taste, the rum soaked raisins emerge, with cream and a hint of vanilla and dark chocolate. Just as you think it’s done, plum and a hint of exotic fruit come through at the end. Although I knew it had a sherry influence, this isn’t your typical Speysider sherry dram – far from it, its way more complex than that.

Finish: The finish is medium long and continues to explode exotic fruits with a hint of that vanilla on the pallet. It just shouts – More! Drink Me!

Overall: This dram is nearly flawless in my opinion. It is sufficiently complex to challenge the palate but retains the smoothness and class of Glenlivet at its best. If you know their 25 year old you are going to love this.

I have had the privilege of tasting hundreds and hundreds of whiskies and this put a huge smile on my face just when I thought I’d seen it all from Speyside. If you have access to buying this, please don’t hesitate, I would pay 3 times the price for this Chapter – well done Guardians of Glenlivet.

Find where to buy Glenlivet whisky