Next up in this little series of The Glenlivet reviews is the budget-friendly Founder’s Reserve. What does Founders Reserve mean I imagine you are asking yourself right now, correct? I thought so.
Normally it would be my duty as a good reviewer to tell you… but that would require a level of research that I’m just not willing to put in. Don’t get me wrong I normally would but this one was not particularly enjoyable, and I just don’t have the requisite level of motivation to type it in to Google to find out.
So I’ve already given away what I thought of it, is there any reason to read on you are now asking, aren’t you? Well… probably not to be honest! No of course there is, you need to find out why this was rubbish so here is my review of The Glenlivet Founders Reserve:
Distiller: The Glenlivet
Region: Speyside
ABV: 40%
Proof: 80
Age: NAS
Website: https://www.theglenlivet.com/en-en/the-collection/founders-reserve
Nose:
Typical of a no age statement speyside. Mild honey, a little vanilla, malt and oddly a hint of beetroot. Not great. Even if you like beetroot, which I don’t, I’m guessing it’s not something you want in a whisky aroma (I could be wrong, you beetroot lovers are an odd bunch).
Taste:
More honey and vanilla but the biggest impression is that this is a very young whisky. There is some citrus and floral stuff going on but it’s very muted and a little watery.
Finish:
Practically non-existent. Leaves a malty taste with hints of honey and pepper.
Summary:
It’s poor. Not the worst whisky I’ve ever tasted and better than some of the cheap blended stuff you can get but other than that there is very little else to say about it. There’s no depth to it, no character and no charm.
Don’t think bad of Glenlivet though, they make really good whisky usually: read my Glenlivet 15 review and Glenlivet 18 review to confirm this.