Young and sherried Glenlivets bottled by Signatory are nothing new, and they have been popping around lately, many are very good to excellent. I’ve reviewed quite a few sister casks, mostly bottled for TWB in the past and liked them very much (check it out here, and here).
Made at Glenlivet distillery in 2007, this 12-year-old single malt was matured in a single first-fill sherry hogshead before being bottled in March 2019 by Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange’s 20th Anniversary.
Glenlivet 12 yo 2007
64,1%, 1st fill sherry hhd #900216
Nose: Quite the sherry bomb this one is, with thick and sweet & Sherried notes , with the wood also quite influential here: cherry marmalade, with lots of red and black berries as well, rum soaked sultanas, sour cherries , vanilla and even some toffee apples. It’s also quite earthy with musty warehouses, tobacco and a touch of chocolate. very complex for such a young whisky.
Palate : big and spicy entry with some pepper, and even chilly, then the sherry goodness kicks in with sweet berries, earthy notes, wood spice and a touch of mint leaf, chocolate , leather aniseed, Brasil nut , and ginger cookies. There’s even some rum soaked cherries, lots of wood spice.
Finish: Long, and warming with the fruit spread / marmalade, and tobacco / earthy notes going on for quite some time with the sherried fruit and wood spices.
Conclusion: This is a lovely sherry bomb, young but complex and rewarding. very good choice of cask by TWE / Signatory. Loving this one, it’s deep, and quite clean (no sulfur – again), not too wine-y as well. Bingo. A no- brainer for sherry lovers. I wish The Glenlivet would release such great whiskies in their OB range. {sigh}.