Underrated: The Glenlivet 12 Year Old

By Richard Thomas

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old returned to shelves in Europe this summer, three years after it was discontinued in that market and two years ahead of schedule. * Citing the now ubiquitous concern of rising demand putting pressure on finite supply, parent company Pernod Ricard replaced the 12 Year Old with the no age statement (NAS) Founder’s Reserve. Although Founder’s Reserve was sometimes seen in the U.S., Glenlivet 12 was never withdrawn from the American market, which is the single largest market in world whiskey.

The Scotch croakers bemoaned the loss of Glenlivet 12, but only as part of a larger movement in the industry towards replacing age statement single malts with no age statement whiskies. At the time, some even commented that they wouldn’t miss Glenlivet 12. After all, the near ubiquitous expression was how most of Scotch lovers were introduced to single malts, and in the snobby mind that meant it was long left behind and unworthy of notice. Perhaps that is why The Glenlivet 12 is so underrated.

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old is arguably the archtypal Speyside single malt, with a flavor profile malty honey, creamy vanilla, fruity apples and a little spiciness. It’s a pleasant, easy going sipper of a single malt, and at a price point that is beaten by a select few. It’s the sort of whisky you can very easily enjoy drinking every day.

Pernod Ricard declared the launch of Founder’s Reserve a success, pointing to sales of 280,000 cases a year. Despite this, however, they lost the top slot as the world’s best-selling single malt back to rival The Glenfiddich, after holding the title only briefly. One wonders if the early reintroduction of the classic Glenlivet 12, beloved by casual drinkers and the not-snobby, isn’t meant to bolster sales and put them back into title contention.

* Pernod Ricard had announced in 2017 that they would reintroduce Glenlivet 12 Year Old in 2020.