The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky

During the early 19th century, illegal distilleries were commonplace throughout the Speyside region of Scotland. In 1823, however, Alexander Gordon pushed the Excise Act of 1823 through Parliament. The Excise Act allowed illegal distillers throughout Scotland to apply for and obtain licenses to legally distill spirits. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. For nearly two centuries, The Glenlivet Distillery has been producing the single malt whisky that started it all.Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using barley sourced from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon (Portgordon is a village in Moray, Scotland). After the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in wooden washbacks for approximately two days. The wooden washbacks used by Glenlivet are more difficult and expensive to maintain as compared to the stainless steel washbacks used by most Scottish distilleries, but impart a distinctive, floral quality to the whisky.After the barley has been fermented, it is distilled twice first through Glenlivets wash still, and then again through Glenlivets spirits still. Originally designed by George Smith, the copper-pot stills have a unique, lantern-like shape, which encourages contact between the whisky and the copper. The copper strips the whisky of any impurities it may have, and provides for a lighter and more pure flavor profile.Following distillation, a portion of The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in French Oak for a limited time. French Limousin Oak, which is cut in the Dordogne region of France, is typically reserved for the maturation of fine wines and cognac when used to age whisky, the low density profile of the wood allows the spirit to penetrate deep into the wood, lending the whisky a signature spiciness.As a result, The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has an intense golden color and aromas of butter, caramel and whipped cream. On the palate, the whisky is slightly fruity, with notes of baked apples and cinnamon spice leading to a finish accented by almonds, nutmeg and pie crust.The Glenlivet 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition two years in a row in 2011 and 2012. Pick up a bottle today!