This is the first whisky I’m trying after three weeks of Rias Baixas, Vinho Verde and Port wines. Could be worse, right? By the way I discovered some nice sweet things from Noval, Bulas, Quinta do Vallado, Val da Figueira…
The Whisky Exchange has a history of hand-picking good casks of Glenlivet 1981 from the Signatory stocks (check this or this from 2015). This brand-new release was finished in a sherry butt – actually quite an extensive finish of 76 months.
Glenlivet 36 yo 1981
(47,6%, Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange 2018, sherry butt #12, 702 btl.)
Glenlivet 36 yo 1981Nose: excellent mix of pineapples, apricots, dried bananas and wonderful bergamot. Goes on with old oak, leather bound books and furniture wax. Whiffs of very old cognac. Tobacco. Light cedar oak. Crushed mint leaves, hints of cinnamon.
Mouth: oakier now, so more cedar and other exotic (polished) woods. Walnuts, tobacco, bay leaves. Golden apples, tangerine, a little honey, pink grapefruits and Seville oranges. Cinnamon, nutmeg. Fading on fruit teas and herbal notes, Earl Grey and such.
Finish: rather long, still on tea, liquorice, apple peels and whiffs of mentholated oak.
Very rich, old-style sherry with plenty of polished oak, luscious fruits and traces of mature cognac. Rare quality, so this comes highly recommended despite the price hike. Only available from The Whisky Exchange.
Score: 91/100