Glenlivet 36 1981 Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange

I’m not gonna lie, most of the reason for my purchasing this was to have something in this age tier for the sake of it. That said, I’m not disinterested in it, it’s just nothing I’d go for otherwise. Preferring peat, and only ever having Glenlivet back when I thought Scotch was something to shoot, I’d never have thought of it, but as my appreciation for unpeated malt has grown, I am looking forward to it.

Glenlivet 36, 1981 Vintage, Signatory Vintage, Speyside Single Malt, 47.6% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on December 21, 1981 and matured for 36 years with the final 76 months in Sherry butt #12 and bottled on April 18, 2018 yielding 702 bottles. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Burnt umber; 1.7.

Nose: Fruity, malty delight. Orange liqueur chocolate treat. Very little jumps out (other than intense fruitiness from the glass before you even get your nose to it), but many things play coy in the background.

Taste: Wow, rich, decadent fruit. Cherry goop. Orange. And whatever that tasty chewable antibiotic is that as a kid made me happy to be sick.

Finish: Orange zest and malt. Medium-short.

This exceeded my expectations, and given the described familiarity with Glenlivet that was a surprise. The nose was nice, and the palate was full of bold flavor, though the finish didn’t last as long as I’d have enjoyed.

Score: 90

Musical Evocation: Mazzy Star – “Fade Into You”