Review by: The Muskox

This is unfortunately the very last of the Scott’s Selection samples. This tasting series has been outstanding so far – It included my scotch whisky of the year for last year, and I even loved that funky Bladnoch that all those other guys couldn’t stand.

I haven’t had an old Glenlivet before, or even all that many middle-aged Glenlivets. Pre-Loch 70s whiskies are often stellar, and are always an adventure. Let’s give this one a shot.

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Distillery: Glenlivet.

Bottler: Scott’s Selection.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 53.1%. Cask strength.

Age: 26-27 years. Distilled in 1977. Bottled in 2004.

Cask type: Unknown.

Price: N/A, sample.

Color Light gold. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Soft and fruity. Asian pears, nectarine, lychee, lime leaves, orange slices, and pineapple-in-syrup. Soft white flowers and cardamom. Shortbread biscuits, subtle vanilla, and honey. Underneath the fruit, there’s a plethora of fragrant woody and plant-y flavours. Soft pine, apple trees, bamboo and distant herbs. Like stepping into one of the cooler rooms at my local botanical gardens. Old wood, softly spicy. Slightly nutty as it sits.

Palate: Medium-thick texture. Gentle orchard fruit (apple, pear, peach) on the arrival, then creamier with honeycomb, vanilla, and brioche French toast sprinkled with toasted walnuts. Tart green apples and strawberry (Strawberry pez, per dustbunna). Mild, fragrant oak on the development, getting creamier and beeswaxier. Perfumy and a little salty on the back end.

Finish: Long, balanced with wood and fruit. Beeswaxed wooden cutting boards. Fragrant citrus oil, lemon meringue, and more of that classic Glenlivet green apple. Iced coffee and honeycomb ice cream. Crystallized ginger and candied pineapple, with that cardamom returning too.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Fruit salad picnic at the butterfly conservatory”

Conclusion: Really impressive. One of my buddies on the Discord (was it Herr_Maltenberg?) commented that 70’s Glenlivet isn’t all that different from modern Glenlivet, especially compared to 70s versions of other modern whiskies. I definitely agree with that – this seems pretty close to the modern product, with that unmistakable green apple note. I love the supporting notes of beeswax and cool green woodiness that support the fruit. Lovely creamy texture and a long, layered finish. This exceeded my expectations!

Final Score: 89.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.