The Glenlivet 18 Year Old 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, The Glenlivet Master Distiller Alan Winchester uses a variety of casks both American and European Oak, with a combination of first- and second-fill to age The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. While the first-fill American Oak adds tropical fruit notes to the whisky, the European Oak imparts a bold spiciness that creates an incredibly balanced whisky.As a result, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has an apricot-hued appearance, along with an aroma of dried fruits particularly mangoes and toffee. Its palate is wonderfully balanced, with notes of ripe oranges, raisins and ginger, and leads to a phenomenal finish marked by butterscotch candy and lemon squares.In 2015, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Pick up a bottle today!