Glenlivet 15 French Oak Review

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside 

Brand: The Glenlivet French Oak Reserve

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 40 %

Colour: Light Gold/ Amber 

Nose: Sweet Creamy Apple Pie covered with Raisins, Buttered Toast and Pineapple Marmalade, Malt, Oak, Vanilla, Honey, Resin, Citrus, Caramel, light Spices and Red Fruit. There is a certain Bourbon feeling to the Nose of this Glenlivet.

Palate: Slightly Bitter Oak and (Winter) Spices like Nutmeg, Cloves, Cinnamon and Pepper are quite noticeable and are accompanied by Salted Almonds, Honey, Toffee, Toasted Cereals, Malt, Apples and Plums. 

Finish: Dry, Creamy and Spicy with Pepper, Caramel, Vanilla, Cherries and Bourbon.

I added a bit of water and the Nose becomes even more Fruity and Malty and also a bit Floral. The Palate and Finish become very Woody and Spicy. Let's keep it neat shall we!

Rating: 84

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 21- Overall: 21

General Remarks: George Smith built The Glenlivet Distillery in 1824. It moved to the current location, Minmore House near Ballindalloch in 1858 and produces around 6 million litres of Alcohol yearly. Current Owners are Chivas (Pernod Ricard). Glenlivet is the best selling Single Malt in the USA and the second best on a global scale. Most of the production is sold as Single Malt with the remainder going to the Chivas Regal – and Royal Salute Blends. Most distilleries closed various times during their history, especially during the Depression and in wartime. But Glenlivet only closed during World War II. Without any doubt, the Glenlivet has contributed a lot to the current popularity of Single Malt whiskies. The 15 Years French Oak Reserve matured in Ex-Bourbon casks and is married before bottling with a limited part of the same spirit that matured in French Limousin Oak Casks. This wood is normally used to produce Casks for fine Wines and Cognacs. The Glenlivet Distillery used it for the first time for whisky. The 12 Years expression was created in the early 2000's but has been discontinued and replaced by the 15 Years. The 15 French Oak Reserve costs around 55 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: The idea behind the French Oak Finishing was certainly interesting. Lots of Cognac, Armagnac and noble Wines have matured in Limousin Oak. Well, the Glenlivet 15 French Oak is better balanced than its former younger brother the 12 French Oak that I reviewed earlier. The Nose is quite Nice and Fruity and the Finish seduces you to have another sip. But on the Palate this Glenlivet leaves a bit to be desired. Oak and Winter Spices are very dominant here and I don't care much for the bitter Notes. On the whole however this is a pleasant entry Single Malt, especially for Bourbon drinkers who start to explore Scotch Whisky.  

Jan van den Ende                                                                    August 6, 2013

Bowmore 2000 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Islay

Brand: Bowmore 2000 (Coopers Choice) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  9 Years

ABV: 46 %

Date: 04/08/2013

Colour: Pale Straw/White Wine

Nose: Unmistakably Bowmore with Campfire Smoke, Sweet Peat, Malt, Bacon, Shellfish, Ashes, That Comfortable Armchair of your Grandpa, Vanilla, Oak, Citrus, Iodine, Salt and PVC/Plastic. 

Palate: A bit on the Thin side with Campfire Smoke, Sweet Peat, Pepper, light Oak and Vanilla, Citrus, Ashes, Salt, Iodine and Leather.

Finish: Quite Long and Beefy with Smoke, Sweet Peat (Earth), Salt, Brine, Pepper, Ashes, Cigar Smoke, Iodine, Wet Newspaper and Leather.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes more Malty as so often is the case. But I don't find other important differences. Ashes and Pepper become more prominent on the Palate and in the Finish. You can play with a bit of water although I prefer it neat.

Rating: 83

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: This Bowmore was distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2010. It was matured by - and bottled for The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd under their brand name Coopers Choice. This Independent Bottler was founded in 1992 by Brian Cook, a guy with 20 years of experience in the Malt Whisky Industry. It matured in Ex-Bourbon Hogshead # 219 and costs around 60 US Dollars. This whisky is naturally coloured and not chill-filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A straightforward young Bowmore. Nothing really stands out both from a positive and a negative point of view. Palate and Finish are a logical continuation of the Nose. I do miss some Fruity tones here. It's a well-crafted Islay but somehow I didn't totally connect to this Bowmore. The Song " A Face in the Crowd" by Tom Petty came to mind. That sums it up quite well I think!  

Jan van den Ende                                                             August 2013

Macleod's Highland Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: MacLeod's

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Region: Highland

Age: 8 Years

Alcohol: 40%

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: Light and not at all complex. But pleasant enough. Basically Malt, Vanilla, Oak, Buttered Toast, Vegetables, Heather, Honey and Mushrooms. Light Spices, Apple and a puff of Smoke from a very distant Fire.

Palate: On the Thin Side. Sweet but also slightly Salty. Quite tasty with tons of Vanilla, Oak, Sweet Cereals, Heather, Honey, Nut Casks, Pepper, Brown Sugar and a whiff of Smoke. It's extremely drinkable so be careful!

Finish: Sweet Malt and Honey at first followed by Pepper, Milk Chocolate, Oak and a pinch of Salt. Dry and a bit Mineral towards the end.

With a bit of Water, the Nose of the Macleod's Highland becomes very Malty. Palate and Finish just get watered down. Better sip it neat.   

Rating: 83.5

Nose: 21 – Taste: 21 – Finish: 20.5 – Overall: 21

General Remarks: This Highland Single Malt was produced and bottled by Ian MacLeod Distillers Ltd, an Independent Bottler established in 1934 and a.o. owner of the Glengoyne Distillery and various Blends such as Isle of Skye and Smokehead. Many people will know their Chieftain's range as well. The Highland is part of a small collection known as MacLeod's Scotch Whisky Trail that also includes a Single Malt from Lowland, Speyside, Island and Islay as well as the before mentioned Isle of Skye Blend. A full bottle of the Highland costs around 45 US Dollars. A Miniature Gift Set is also widely available. (See Picture Below)

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A very pleasant surprise after the disappointing Speyside and Lowland expressions from the same Whisky Trail collection. It certainly displays Highland characteristics. Distilleries like Clynelish, Glengoyne and Dalwhinnie came to my mind but my guess is as good as yours. At this price level, the MacLeod's Highland is a good alternative. A pity really that it's a bit too thin. A Higher ABV would certainly benefit this Single Malt.

Jan van den Ende                                                               August 2, 2013