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| Hi, this is one of our (almost) daily tastings. Santé! |
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July 16, 2026 |
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WF's Little Duos,
today official Glenlivet |
Another great name whose expressions we simply have to taste from time to time, particularly the entry-level versions that are so widely available across the globe. We're so often reproached for not tasting enough of these in favour of rarities or older bottlings. As you can see, after nearly twenty-five years, we're still trying to improve things at WF Towers... |
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Glenlivet 12 yo ‘Double Oak’ (40%, OB, +/-2025) 
The last time we tasted this baby it was a 2020 version, during a vertical that went all the way up to G&M's celebrated 80/1940. Well, this little 12-year-old acquitted itself rather well in that company (WF 80). Colour: pale gold. Nose: this Double Oak, now almost compulsory for entry-level malts from a marketing perspective, naturally means American and European oak. On the nose, we find barley, croissants, vanilla, pale beer and pancakes. Rather good, really, staying very close to the raw ingredients, which always pleases us. Mouth: this is really rather good, gently honeyed, with almost blotted apples, black tea, vanilla, a few touches of fruitcake, malt and a little fresh oak, veering towards sawdust but never excessively so. Finish: not especially long, and we once again find Japanese bean paste, just as we did last time (mochi). The aftertaste brings back beer and cider. Comments: I stand by my previous opinion, this is very, very honest stuff and, above all, free from make-up or tricks. At €30, it is really very honest indeed.
SGP:451 - 80 points. |
Right then, let's admit it, what we really wanted to taste today was this official version destined for the other side of the world... |
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Glenlivet 14 yo (58.6%, OB for The Whisky Club, first fill American oak, 2026) 
This baby was ‘created exclusively for The Whisky Club’ and is distributed to its members in Australia and New Zealand. It would appear that this is the first time The Glenlivet has officially done such a thing, this cask strength version having been the Club's Whisky of the Month in June this year. Colour: gold. Nose: we immediately find ourselves back in the world of the lovely 12-year-old, only with rather more power, naturally. Apple tart, cinnamon, vanilla, barley, butter and sugar pancakes... With water: it now moves away from the 12-year-old, with more nougat, far more floral notes of honeysuckle and white clover, plus a few beautifully judged touches of orange marmalade. Lovely compactness and coherence. Mouth (neat): plenty of punch, cooked apples, green pepper, a little ginseng, cinnamon, mead... Once again, we are very close to nature. With water: the classic profile, only with more citrus and a splendid lemony tension. Honeyed water with lemon juice. Finish: long, with a few fresh oak spices, ginger, fresh turmeric, coriander seeds... The aftertaste settles back onto green pepper, apples and lemon. Comments: absolutely excellent at just 14 years of age. Plenty of integrity, in short everything we like. Do they accept Alsatian members at the Whisky Club of Australia and New Zealand? I promise we won't mention rugby...
SGP:551 - 87 points. |
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