Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
The Glenlivet was founded in 1824 by George and John Smith, and has remained almost continually open for over two centuries apart from a few years during World War II. Currently owned by the Chivas Brothers Group under the Pernod Ricard corporate umbrella, it is currently the largest selling scotch in the United States and second biggest in the world. While a minority of the distillery’s 10.5 million liters per year output goes into Chivas Brothers blends, the vast majority goes into single malts like the Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. The bedrock of the Signature Collection, this single malt is matured in oaks with a selection of first-fill American oak casks.
Distillery: Glenlivet
Region: Speyside
Age: NAS
Strength: 40%
Price: $49.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon casks
Location: Ballindalloch
Nose: Pear, candy, apple blossoms, banana, honey, vanilla
Palate: Pear, barley, green pepper
Finish: Oak, cream
Comments: Water is not needed but this could be fun to mix with cocktails in addition to enjoying neat.
Adam – I love the perfume elements of the Founder’s Reserve, the mix of fruits and florals that evokes a bright summer day among the lochs and heather. Not just generic either, clear delineations between apple and banana and pear, coupled with an underlying honey and vanilla. The pear shines on the palate and that carries into a somewhat dry finish too. This is an affordable, approachable scotch that holds something for everyone. There’s a very gentle mouthfeel to help those afraid of the whisky burn, offering an array of diverse and pleasing flavors without overawing. It’s also not too complicated but also not one-note. While it may not be your favorite, sometimes you don’t want your favorite. Perfect for those looking to embark on a single malt journey or gifting someone in their lives a bottle sure to please.
Henry – Apple blossoms, pear and pear compote, honey, vanilla, and candy sugar on the nose. Sweetness follows through to the front of the palate, but then tannins, vegetal notes, and a hint of green pepper take over. Finish is a brief burst of oak followed by a sweet final note.
Ben – The Founder’s Reserve is pretty good whisky. You can taste where there’s wood and vegetation.
Sometimes you need an every day drinking scotch and this could be one.
Bill – It’s good but it’s not much different than the 12. It feels rather one-note. But it’s always going to be your best friend, always perfectly the same thing and I like that. A comfort in that. It’s a comfy dram.
Mike – The palate evolves with sweet, sugary, overripe fruit and then does a complete reversal and finishes with tannins and funk. This really reminds me of barleywine.
Evelyn – Lots of pear. It’s a good solid whisky. There are no bad notes in it. Sometimes you need an every day drinking scotch and this could be one.
Sam – Smells like someone made a compote of pear, with a little funk that’s almost a musk. Nice whisky for nice people. Not challenging at all but also doesn’t want to sit there and drink vodka. If someone gave this to me, I would thank them and mean it.
