This is a Glenlivet 1974 bottled by Gordon & MacPhail as part of their Distillery Label range. It was matured in refill American oak casks & refill sherry casks (which I presume is American and European oak then).
There have been different releases at 40% and 43% throughout the years but this seems to be the latest release, which comes in the new style of bottles.
Glenlivet 1974
(43%, Gordon & MacPhail 2011)
Glenlivet 1974Nose: red apples, or rather apple pie, with red fruit jam and soaked raisins. Light hints of praline and marzipan. Nice hints of furniture wax and leather sofas. You get some vanilla from the American oak as well as pepper and dried herbs from the European oak casks.
Mouth: red fruit candy and plums with fresh apples, vanilla and preserved cherries. Apricots too. It has a nice dusty side, very subtle herbs and light waxy notes again. Very smooth at 43%, which limits the complexity a little, but sometimes you don’t need more oomph.
Finish: not too long, on peppery oak, chocolate, vanilla and nutmeg.
Very nice old Glenlivet, highly aromatic on the nose. On the palate it is toned down a little but overall really beautiful. Around € 300 but sold out in most places.
Score: 89/100