French Oak Reserve From: Grampains Mountains,
From: Banffshire, Scotland Highland Scotland
From: Banffshire, Scotland Highland Scotland
Age: 15 Years Age: 15
Cost: ~$50 Cost: ~50-55
40% Alc./Vol 43% Alc/Vol.
'onemalt' Rating: 6/10 'onemalt' Rating 8/10
The Glenlivet 15 is the vain older brother of the Glenlivet 12. The 15 is a good scotch but it feels a little over done. While it is smooth and delicate, (aged in a Limousine French Oak) it only has one dimension, there is no subtlety's, there are no tricks. It leads one to believe that older does not always mean better. I am sure that the ageing process has a lot to do with fancy chemical interactions between different ingredients in the barrel, but until I become a 'bona-fied scotch snob' (a BFSS) I will simply say, that a good scotch needs balance and it does not always come simply by waiting an extra three years.
Comparing the two. These two 15 year olds were our first exploration beyond our 'modest' 12 year mark (except for the 14 year old Oban, yet to reviewed). Mainly it was our first time buying something a little more expensive. This splurge offered some keen perspective into what really goes into a good scotch and how to really appreciate a complex taste relative to its age. We bought the Glenlivet before we were given the Dalwinnie by our good friend George, and our expectations were high.
My Scotch epiphany did not really sink in until after we had tasted the Dalwinnie. I personally, was blown away by the contrasts in quality, character, and complexity that the Dalwinnie had compared to the Glelivet 15. Please, read on......
The Dalwinnie 15.
A gusto of wind sails this malt aroma around the senses finishing with a kick-butt blast of flavor. This Dalwinnie has a very interesting experience from start to finish. All stages of this drink are different. The smell (ahhh) is light, refreshingly light, but then slowly the scotch dabs your tongue with a sweet, almost oily smooth taste. It gallops from a fresh spring breaze into a dynamic-full of classic Highland smoky taste. A taste that defines the Dalwinnie.
The taste really comes to a full pheonix after the liquid is gone. Your mouth balloons with a crisp bite that leaves one eyebrow a-cocked glancing back down at the bottle. You ponder to yourself, "This does not taste like it looks" "there must be a secret ingredient?" After my first drink I grabbed the bottle curiously looking for an explanation of the flavor spectrum that just 'Vrmooomed' through my mouth.
The Dalwinnie is smoky, a characteristic of most Highlands scotches. This is one of six other malts considered a 'classic.' I don't know how it got this distinction but it is on the package label. I also know that the Glenlivet 15 is not on this list. I am curious to examine the other six classics with my new perspective on age as it pertains to taste. This tasting has shown me how artful a good scotch can be, subtle yet complex, light, but powerful, similar ages can yield different qualities. I am hooked. Well on my way to becoming a BFSS!
Please tell us what you think of the Dalwinnie and Glenlivet (15's), leave a comment.
Palates Welcome
ZA/CH
Just compared the Dalwinnie 15 to The MacCallum 15 while enjoying the super moon by the fire. The Dal wins hands down. While the Mac had a more smoky taste with a delayed heat, the Dalwinnie was lighter, a subtle caress of bliss.
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