Tasting the three Contenders – The Glenlivet Guardians Chapter
The Whisky Boys were more than happy to receive three samples to taste, review and pick our favourite, which we hope will become the new Guardian.
Three exciting new single malt Whiskies have been created by Master Distiller Alan Winchester from the distillery’s exceptional cask collection and classified by their taste – CLASSIC, fruity with soft sweet caramel and toffee notes, EXOTIC rich with warm spicy notes and REVIVAL, fruity with a creamy sweetness*.
The three Whiskies will be taken on a worldwide tour and showcased at tasting events in dozens of countries; Australia, USA, UK, India, South Africa and Japan to name but a few. Guardians will come together to sample, savour and select the expression they want to become The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter and share their passions with other kindred whisky spirits.
Following the final tasting event in December, the Guardians’ votes will be counted and the winning whisky will be proclaimed “The Guardians’ Chapter”. A limited run of 2000 9 litre cases will be released globally from February 2014.
Nikki Burgess, Brand Director for The Glenlivet, comments: “Choosing a Scotch whisky is normally a privilege reserved for a very select handful of experts revered for their knowledge, passion and experience. With The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter, we wanted to recognise and reward the knowledge, passion and experience of our Guardians and invite them to write the next chapter in The Glenlivet’s history. We’re excited to see which whisky our Guardians choose and hope it brings members – new and old – closer together.”
Glenlivet Distillery,
Ballindalloch,
Banffshire
AB37 9DB
telephone 01340 821720
website www.theglenlivet.com
Owners, Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard)
The Glenlivet is the No 2 single malt Scotch Whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only Whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.
The first one up is:-
The Glenlivet Classic – 48.7 Alc/vol., No Age Statement. Non Chill Filtered
Colour…Orange marmalade
Nose…Rich with bags of vanilla and runny toffee, a cocktail of fruit.
Taste…Quite sweet and has a young feel to it, warming pepper and ginger spice, a touch of oak at the tail end, a teardrop of water helps.
Finish…A medium finish, spice, sweetness and the fruit all linger.
The second is:-
The Glenlivet Exotic – 48.7 Alc/vol., No Age Statement. Non Chill Filtered
Colour…Satin bronze
Nose…A delightful sweetness from the sherry cask, a wee touch of pineapple and cocoa.
Taste…Sweetness is the first note that hits you, mouth coating richness, almost chewable, does not need any water.
Finish…A little longer than the Classic, warming and reassuring.
The third offering tonight is:-
The Glenlivet Revival – 48.7 Alc/vol., No Age Statement. Non Chill Filtered
Colour…Pale barley
Nose…A summer breeze from the orchard, sweet apples, light vanilla.
Taste…Sweet runny toffee, vanilla, a basket of orchard fruits – apples, apricot, pears and some pomegranate.
Finish…longest of the three, sweet and leaving your palate with a delightful warm feeling.
The guys up in Glenlivet have certainly put the Whisky Boys to the test, we loved all three, but there has to be a winner, and our result is:-
1st Exotic
2nd Revival
3rd Classic
The richness and sherry sweetness won The Whisky Boys over, it was one of the toughest choice we have had to make, maybe you can bottle all three, only a thought.
To become a member of The Glenlivet Guardians community, please visit: www.theglenlivet.com/guardians