Review: The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve (2010)
Review: The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve (2010)
Honoring its recent expansion, The Glenlivet has released this very special, limited edition malt called Founder’s Reserve. Just 1824 bottles (an homage to the year the distillery was opened) were produced, encased in nifty wooden boxes, held shut with magnetic clasps embedded in the planks.
The whisky is 21 years old, a special bottling crafted by Master Distiller Alan Winchester. It is bottled at 111.2 proof.
Intense and hot, Founder’s Reserve is a cask strength monster you’ll smell from across the room. Water is a must.
There’s a strong citrus/sherry influence here, but the biggest impact is that the whisky is smoky and rich, but not peaty. Overall the malt features very typical Glenlivet character, with honey and strong field greenery notes — heather, various herbs like rosemary and lavender — but is ultimately dominated by its wood character. This is a powerful, logrolling malt, perfect for by-the-fire quaffing but without that intense phenol that heavy peat provides. The finish features lightly salted caramel notes and, with water, is pleasing and rounded. Really quite lovely, a perfect gift for someone who deserves something special.
111.2 proof.
A- / $375 / theglenlivet.com
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve (2010)
$375
$375 a bottle! Damn, yo.