The Glenlivet Nadurra (60.7%, OB, Oloroso Casks, Batch OL0614, 2014)

• The Glenlivet Distillery
• Pernod Ricard
• 60.7% ABV
• £45.46
• Score: 87/100

What they say:

Nàdurra in Gaelic means natural. Nàdurra whisky is bottled and released in small batches using traditional 19th century methods, and each bottle is filled at natural cask strength. It is non-chill filtered resulting in a full-bodied, characteristically creamy feel.

Nàdurra Oloroso has been matured exclusively in first fill Oloroso sherry oak casks from the Jerez region of Spain: the most highly prized and sought after casks used by whisky makers.

First fill Oloroso sherry casks have long been famed for imparting wonderfully rich, luxurious flavours of dried fruits and warm spices to single malt whisky.

Colour – Bright Gold
Nose – A medley of dried fruit aromas, raisins and apricots, with gentle notes of cinnamon and liquorice
Palate – Smooth and creamy with the fruitiness of spicy orange marmalade, and hints of rich dark chocolate
Finish – Long and sweet, leading to a slightly dry, spicy finish

What I say:

Sampled 25th February 2015 during The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve launch tasting held at The Whisky Shop on Victoria Street in Edinburgh. As well as The W Club’s regular members, a special invitation had gone out to The Glenlivet Guardians to come along and get the first sampling of the new Founders Reserve alongside a tasting of the core range at this special tasting.

Colour:

Dark copper (13/20), large and slow tears with thick legs

Nose:

Spiced cinnamon, nutty walnut, hazelnut, rich milk chocolate, dried fruit raisin and a dash of aged balsamic vinegar

Taste:

Fruitier than the nose suggests with much more dried fruits, raisin, date , fig, dehydrated apple and pear slices, molasses, nougat, peanut brittle, toffee, sweet red fruits, strawberry and raspberry and even brambles in a jam, some star anise, allspice, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg spice mix

Finish:

Medium-long, spiced toffee, rich and nutty chocolate and oak wood

Overall:

Massive fruit and nut chocolate bar of a dram – everything I love about Oloroso casks and whisky! Presented at slightly mental strength means even better value for money as this waters down a long way! This here NAS whisky is a lively challenger to Aberlour’s A’Bunadh series – if you like those then you’ll love this!