The Glenlivet, Speyside historical and super-productive distillery, has been bottling the Nadurra version since 2005. It’s a 16 yo whisky matured in first-fill American oak casks. A rather unique choice by a distillery that always uses a share of European oak for its maturation processes. This is 2010 1109l batch and it’s shiny golden.
N: this is the perfect illustration of the legendary “Speyside malt”. From the very first sniff this aroma characterizes a wonderfully parfumed whisky. There’s a pronounced sugary side due to the first-fill ex-bourbon casks. Honey-coated biscuits, combination of maltiness and sweetness. A strong almond note followed by a rather hidden fruity face (ripe pear and raisins). A scent of stewed prunes and apples brings us back to the childhood… With water: more pronounced vanilla and pleasant memories of tropical fruit.
P: the first sip is probably a bit too alcoholic. But all is forgiven thanks to the gorgeous explosion of malt and sweet almonds. It’s a pity the tropical note is only blinking here. We fell in love with another spectacular batch, much more focused on exotic fruits. Here in the glass we can notice the classical Glenlivet’s pear, in a palate quite consistent with the nose. Water doesn’t change it at all. Maybe you can detect some hazelnut and an idea of prickling spices.
F: malt and almond again, fading into a bittersweetish sensation. Intense and sugary, the wood stands out for its total absence. The empty glass is a tribute to the distillery’s DNA: honey biscuits!
A declaration of love for the king of whisky’s ingredients: Our Majesty the Malt! Sixteen years passed in first fill casks strengthen the sweet body. However, this profile it’s not enough to drive us crazy (we still regret that tropical fruit…) and we say 84/100. Here you can find Neil & Joel’s impressions on caskstrenght.net.
Recommended soundtrack: Fake – Donna rouge, a masterpiece from the 80’s in a live (playback…) version.
