Head-to-head Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 12

[Quaich1]

I decided to do a head-to-head taste test with these 2 drams this afternoon which I haven't done for a while. I would be interested in your thoughts as to which you prefer between the two.

The Glenlivet 12

Neat-

Nose: Vanilla ripple, unsweetned rhubarb, citrus and traces of honey; fresh baked kaiser buns and wild aromatic bulrushes found in swamps.

Palate: Fruity, spice, hint of chestnuts, oak and leather notes.

Finish: Lingering, nut melange, bushel of different apple types, lemon drops, hint of cedar chest and a bitter veil in the background.

Glenfiddich 12

Neat-

Nose: Spicy melon, vanilla bean, parfume, sweet nougat, baked apple with mild cinamon, mixed peel and potpourri.

Palate: Apricot jelly, spice, toasted oak and mixed fresh fruit.

Finish: Lingering, sweetish chocolate and espresso crema, spicy fruit and citrus burst.


Comments: The Glenlivet 12 has a slight bitter after-taste that sort of creeps up on you. The nose is delightful and varied. The Glenfiddich 12 presents to me as much more balanced from nose to palate to finish and I have to say I prefer this one today to the Glenlivet 12. I wonder why the bitterness shows up on the Glenlivet 12, something mentioned by many tasters. It doesn't cancel out the basic enjoyment of the dram but it would be better without it.
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Samson]

Cheers for your notes. These are both familiar old friends of mine. I wouldnt express a preference, I like both. Both are easy to drink anytime whiskies and the the quality you get for price is high.

I wonder if the bitterness that some will find sometimes (incuding me) is related to your palate at the time of drinking the whisky rather than the whisky itself and sometimes somehow you can detect a slight bitterness in the Glenlivet 12 and other times you cant.

[Big Mac]

I do enjoy both but probably drink the Glenlivet 12 more often. If i was to compare the 15 year olds from each distillery it would be Glenfiddich i would go for. When you get to the 18 and 21 year old i dont think i could choose between them. Basically both brands have a fantastic range.

[Alexppp]

I too find this bitter note in the Glenlivet 12 sometimes but I always assumed it was just me since I don't always get it. I don't think I can ever have a definite preference between the two but right now I tend to favour the Glenfiddich.

Across the whole range in general, like Mac I also prefer the Glenfiddich 15 to its Glenlivet counterpart, but as for the 18 year-olds, I find both a little underwhelming. On the other hand I love the Glenlivet 12 First Fill and the Nadurra (and can't wait to try the Nadurra First Fill!), as well as the Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition. The latter is sort of like a 12 at a higher strength.

[Whisky Dog]

I have not really got a preference between the Glenlivet and Glenfiddich 12, cant say i pick up any bitterness on the Glenlivet though.

There is a Glenlivet 15 travel retail edition which is basically a 15 year version of the 12 year old and not a French oak matured expression like the standard domestic market 15 bottling. I certainly prefer the 15 year old travel retail expression between the 2 Glenlivet 15's.

With the 18 year olds, for me it is Glenfiddich. The 21 year olds are hard to compare and express a preference both are excellent and quite different and i would be happy to drink either.

[James T]

I enjoy both and both are great drams for your money and long may they remain that way but if pushed to choose between the 2 i would choose the Glenfiddich.