Glenlivet 18 YO Hand-filled at the distillery

Glenlivet 18 YO Hand-filled at the distillery, 50,7 %

This Glenlivet has been hand-filled at the distillery which makes it kind of hard to get. But I guess it could be interesting to know how a bourbon matured Glenlivet smells and tastes like anyway.

I have no date of distillation but this whisky is from batch 2 which has been bottled in 2014 and 2015. I have tasted from bottle 586 of cask 2. It was bottled 3 May 2015.

Nose (22/25): A lot of grapes, green ones that are a bit sour. I smell tropical fruits like mango, honeydew melon and pineapple. A bit sharp on the nose, like paint remover, but it is not overwhelming. The sweet vanilla is hidden behind a woody smell.

Taste (23/25): A really rich mouthfeel. The vanilla and sweet fruits dominate. I think there is a fruit compote of apples, pears, grapes and honeydew melon. Quite spicy, especially when I took a big sip of it.

Finish (22/25): A peppery finish with a hint of vanilla. Spicy before it turns dry. Long and warm.

Balance (22/25): I think this was a really nice Glenlivet. Maybe we should visit the distillery to get our own bottle?

Score (89/100)

Thanks, Kristen!

- Tone