Smith’s Glenlivet 1974 Rare Vintage (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, 2011)
- Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
- Origin: The Glenlivet Distillery
- Bottling: Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Own Labels
- ABV: 43%
- Cost: £420.67 from Master of Malt
What they say:
Colour
Dark amber.
Body
Medium to full.
Finish
Lingering.
Cask Type
Refill American & refill Sherry casks.
Style
Well balanced and rounded.
AROMA without water
Fragrant, fresh rose petals and newly cut grass. A lingering subtle sweetness follows.
TASTE without water
An initial burst of chilli spices, with a sweetness emerging. Soft fruit influences linger and a hint of vanilla comes to the fore.
AROMA with water
Fresh with a heavily fragrant nose, freshly cut roses. A burst of vanilla and ripe soft fruits emerge.
TASTE with water
A peppery edge develops, with a touch of aniseed. Hints of creamy butter develop.
What I say:
Sampled as part of Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘The Wood Makes The Whisky’ Campaign. Thanks to Gordon & MacPhail for the official sample. This expression was distilled in 1974 at The Glenlivet distillery in Speyside and matured for ~ 37 years in a mixture of refill American and refill sherry casks before marrying together to produce this final whisky.
Colour:
Unburnished dark copper (14/20) numerous medium-thickness legs with large droplet tears
Nose:
Rich toffee’d oak wood, sherry, fig, raisins, fruitcake, brandy, leather and old book bindings, musty old library, red apples and clove oil
Taste:
Tannic red wine, oaky wood, brass pennies, raisins, antique furniture, old books, well-stewed tea, stale cigar smoke, cigar boxes, crystallized ginger, demerara sugar, herbal cough sweets
Finish:
Long, sharp old wood, musty, tannic and fruity like red wine
Overall:
Christmasy, woody and a somewhat crystalline or purified essential oil flavours with tannic red fruits. Definitely one for red wine lovers!
Score: 86/100
Don’t take my word for it:
Bloggers submit link to your review
Read William Morrison’s notes at Scotch Malt Whisky
See Tom’s Whisky Review of Smiths Glenlivet 1974 Rare Vintage
Read Yoav’s Rare Vintage Smith’s Glenlivet 1974 Review at Whisky Gospel
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