Review by: The Muskox

I don’t generally seek out Glenlivet, but after trying that very tasty Scott’s Selection bottling earlier this year, my interest in older whiskies from them has been piqued. Let’s see if this release from the venerable Archives is up to snuff. This is technically an mystery-whisky, but it’s well-known online to be Glenlivet.

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Distillery: Glenlivet.

Bottler: Archives.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 51.5%. Cask strength.

Age: 26 years. Distilled June 17th 1992. Bottled October 30th 2018.

Cask type: Cask #1408806, an ex-bourbon barrel.

Price: N/A, sample.

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

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Nose: Total fruit bomb. Baked apples for yeeeeeears, still slightly crisp. Intense fruit cocktail – pears, lychee, pineapple, all in syrup. Mom’s charoset. Lightly citrusy too. Soft malty sweetness, nougat, marshmallow, and white chocolate. The fruit intensity starts to subside with time, revealing a grassy, coolly floral character, maybe some rosehips and habaneros(???) in there. Deepens further to wet earth and petrichor, and sort of a woodsy leathery muskiness.

Palate: Medium-thick, syrupy texture. Fruity on the arrival, with rich spiced apples, pear cider, and orange oil. Develops to firm but fragrant oak, then an incredible core of floral Darjeeling tea. The floral transformation continues – fresh garden flowers and sweet herbs with a tropical softness. Orange marmalade and salted butter on a fresh croissant. Passionfruit peeks in here and there.

Finish: Long, with even more apple dominating. Oak, golden raisins, warm mulling spices. Soft mint and rosemary. Confectionary notes – icing sugar, shortbread, and caramel fudge. Lingering butteriness.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Pommes de terre, literally”

Conclusion: Phenomenally good. Handily beats the Scott’s Selection. This whisky is incredibly balanced, so fragrant, delectably buttery, and just old and oaky enough. The fruit-bomb nose belies the subtlety and complexity in the rest of the dram. The typical Glenlivet apple note is here, but it’s not green or tart or astringent at all – sort of like how tart apples are perfectly sweet once baked into a pie. I just can’t get over that Darjeeling note, which for me tends to show up most often in old Bowmores. I’d love if Glenlivet turned out to be another source of that flavour.

Final Score: 91.

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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.