Description
The Glenlivet is the single malt that started it all. It is the oldest legal distillery in the parish of Glenlivet, Speyside Scotland. It was founded in 1824 and has operated almost continuously since.
The 15 Year Old’s distinctive character is the result of selective maturation; a proportion of the spirit is matured in a selection of French Oak casks for a limited period, so as not to overpower the final result. The Glenlivet was one of the first distilleries to use French Oak in the whisky making process, a technique that has since been imitated by many others. Limousin Oak, which is cut in the Dordogne region of France, is often used to mature fine wines and cognacs. In the case of The Glenlivet, its low density allows the spirit to penetrate deep into the wood, imparting the expression’s distinctive spiciness. The French Oak also increases the intensity of the whisky, resulting in a richer and creamier finish.
This complex whisky is as rich as you would expect on the nose, but also filled with aromas of orange peel and candied grapefruit. The palate is very round, smooth and slightly sweet, with fruity and nutty flavors underlined with the subtle spice of cinnamon. This gives way to lingering hints of toasted almonds and hazelnuts.
