Review 201: Glenlivet Nadurra 16

Unfortunately, Glenlivet presents their 12, 15, and 18 at only 40% or 43% ABV with plenty of chill-filtration. This standard range of Glenlivet has always felt rather thin to me as a result. Luckily, the Nadurra release exists to give us better insight to the true potential of Glenlivet as a malt. Fun fact: "Nadurra" means "not neutered" in Gaelic. That is a lie. This is a review:

Oh, this is from batch number 0313W and was bottled in March of 2013.

Glenlivet Nadurra 16

Color: Amber -1 (looks natural, but there is no statement saying if this is colorant free or not)

ABV: 54.8%

Aroma Neat:
Fresh Vanilla, Creamy Bananas, Creme Brulee, Honeyed Oak, Papaya, Cream of Barley/Barley Water, Apple Juice (lots), Pine Sap, Golden Raisins in Golden Syrup (heh), Honeydew Melon (slightly), Sweet Pineapple, Chocolate Shavings (very slightly).

Silky and sweet nose with lots of notes from American oak, but also juicy tropical fruits and some grain coming from the spirit.

Aroma with Water:
Vanilla, Fresh and Toasted Coconut Flesh, Marshmallows, Dusty and Nutty Grains, Creamy Gouda, Lemon Oil, Apple Juice, Apple Skin, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice (slightly), Honeydew, Cream Cheese Frosting, Golden Raisins, Sappy Oak, Malt Powder.

Beautiful coconut note. This is one I don't pick up on a lot, but it is very welcome. Butter and fruits are also present, making for an overall very nice nose.

Taste Neat:
Honey, Lemon Pith, Fresh Resinous Oak (pine tar/sap again), Fresh Pear Juice, Toasted Grains, Beeswax, Salt (very slightly), Golden Raisins, Light Brown Sugar (very restrained), Clean Char, Wood Smoke (a whiff).

This whisky is surprisingly expressive neat in spite of the high ABV. All the classic scotch notes are being hit (minus peat!). Hopefully water brings out more complexity.

Taste with Water:
Lemon Oil, Candle Wax, Butter, Pineapple Juice, Apple Juice, Starfruit, Dusty Barley Grist, Dry/Sappy/Resinous Oak, Tannins (structured, but mild), White Grapefruit, Chardonnay (drier, mineral), Chalk, Butterscotch, Wood Smoke, Light Char (light, sweet charcoal).

Great stuff.

Finish:
Fresh Char, Dry Oak (but vibrant), Butter, Lemon and White Grapefruit Pith,

Lingers with a warming buttery toasted oak presence. Not exceedingly complex, but very satisfying. This is what you get higher ABV bottlings with out chill-filtration! It's worth the extra money every time.

Conclusion:
High quality in every respect. Not released too young to too watered down.

Presented properly and at a reasonable price (around 65 USD).

A scotch's scotch, not hidden behind layers of peat or gallons of sherry (not that those are bad things). Not overly fancy, but perfectly capable.

Rating: 87/100

A classic scotch. Buy this instead of your next two bottles the 12 or 15 year old. Much better quality and value. I'm gushing a little, but it's just exciting to see how wonderful an "everyday" scotch like Glenlivet can become. Whisky industry: I would rather buy one bottle of solid, high quality whisky like the Nadurra here than five poor younger offerings at 40%, no matter what fancy finishes they have. If stocks are running low as the popularity of whisky grows, use those reserves to release quality, mature whisky at a reasonable price (not uber-premium 30 1500 USD bottles like Diageo special editions, but respectable 15-20 year old bottlings <=150 USD) instead of a million new no-age statement bottlings that by and large aren't that good (with some exceptions). Not only would this make the industry money now, but it would ensure people keep drinking scotch. If the current trend continues, most scotch single malts your or I can afford will be utter crap and well have to switch to rum or crack. Eh, who am I kidding. They'll never listen. End rant.

Anyway... some final thoughts: This whisky reminds me of Glenmorangie Astar, because of the strong bourbon wood influence. I think the Nadurra finds better balance than Astar though, so I'm giving it a higher rating.

Glenlivet 18
Glenlivet 15
Glenlivet 12

Josh