Glenfiddich 15 vs glenlivet 12

[benjiv50]

Evening all, I would class myself as a whisky novice, I've been drinking it now for a few year however still have an undeveloped nose/palate.

Today I picked up a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 and I think I'm "punching above my own weight with it". Obviously a more seasoned whisky drinker would strongly disagree with me but I find it a little "too much" for me to enjoy.

What does it say about me that I would much rather be enjoying my favourite, The Glenlivet 12? I assumed that a 15 would offer way more but to me this just doesn't beat Glen12

Much love, Ben

[Alexppp]

It just says that you prefer the style of the Glenlivet 12, that's all - the Glenfiddich 15 is after all matured in a considerably different style, with three types of casks all vatted together. There are no rules about what you're supposed to enjoy. I will say that since you like the Glenlivet 12 that much, you could try something more 'advanced' but in a similar style - I'm thinking of stuff like Glencadam 10 and 15 or a young Balblair (the 2005 vintage if you can find it, the 12 year-old if you can't).

Just to be clear - I don't consider any style of whisky more 'advanced' than anything else. The only reason I call them more advanced is because they are delivered at 46% alcohol and without chill-filtration, thus offering a more 'natural' presentation than the Glenlivet.

For an excellent introduction into a gently sherried style, I'd highly recommend the Glengoyne 12.

[benjiv50]

Thank you for the fantastic reply Alexppp, this has opened my eyes a great deal, I had never considered styles and now I certainly will. In fact this post has already helped me identify my preferred style that will hold me in good stead, I just wish Glenlivet 12 was on offer all the time

[Paulm]

Hi Ben,

Stick a teaspoon of water in the Glenfiddich, unless already done so. You may find you then like it.

I started off my whisky journey only drinking Islay, which I am told is unusual as most people would be put off starting their whisky journey there. It worked for me however I now rarely drink peated whisky.

When people ask me which is my favourite whisky now my answer, scarily, is all of them

[Alexppp]

Another related thing, which has to do with experience I guess, is that you shouldn't necessarily expect to taste an older or more expensive whisky and immediately be wowed. This applies especially if it's of a different style to your preferred one (and if it's much older then it will be different due to all the extra years in the cask). A lot of the notes we find attractive in younger whisky will be toned down by the cask influence and will be replaced by different ones that will be more unfamiliar.

It's all about adjusting your expectations and discovering more about different styles and ages, which is where most of the fun is of course!

[ralfy legend]

Alex makes loads of good points, your palate should now be ready to explore new whiskies, Ben I was right where you was when I started with the glenlivit 12 and my friend Jon is still loving the 12 seven years on, but never stick to just the glenlivit 12 there some lovely stuff out there, on the glenfiddich 15 it’s a nicely made 15 but as Alex says it’s made totally different, aultmore 12 or glen grant 12 maybe, what joy your getting with the glenlivit 12 I also get with the glenlivit 18, again different but gave me the wow factor, going to chuck a gamble into the mix, the Cotswold do a young whisky that surprised me, non chill 46% and very easily drinking with a little bit of complexity but not cheap at £45

[Jez Hellewell]

Experimenting is definitely key. I’m the same with coffee beans & beer, I always look for something new to me. The problem, of course, with whisky is that you can make expensive mistakes if you don’t like a bottle. I’m extremely fortunate to live 1 mile from Wright Wine Company in Skipton, who have 2 rooms full of incredible whisky. When I go in I regularly get to sample 3 or 4 drams before I buy. This has meant that I know that I like what I am buying before shelling out. Do you have a similar shop near to yourself?
Currently enjoying this beauty:
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/scotch-whisky/single-malt-whisky/the-ileach/cask-strength-whisky/

[MattS]

[Paulm]

[ralfy legend]

So my neck is on the line then paulm? Play around with it, try it neat and with water, it’s totall fine without but your call,

[Slainte mhath]

Amazon doing great deals on the Glenlivet at the moment. I got the 12 and founders reserve £10 off and free delivery.

[benjiv50]

Is it the £28 option Slainte Mhath?

Has anyone tried tamnavulin double cask? It's up for £20 in Morrisons and seems to fit a similar style the livet12

Also theres the glen Keith distillery edition at £20

[ralfy legend]

Ben, the tamnavulin is drinkable but no great depth, there’s fruit but not lots, it’s heavily e150, as for the glen Keith, it’s drinkable but also no depth, with main taste citric lemon style, with toffee sticking its nose into the show, not great but as I say drinkable,

[BigShing]

What whiskies have you tried ben? Give us a better idea of where you are on your whisky journey! :D

Basically if you're just starting out you'll probably enjoy the Glen Keith and Tamnavulin, but they will be a noticeable step down from the Glenlivet. If you're a little more experienced then those whiskies simply taste young. Auchentoshan Amerian Oak is another budget NAS whisky that's often at £20 and easy to recommend to a beginner. Aldi's Glen Marnoch Speyside too at £17.50.

In the £25 range then imo Glenfiddich 12yr and Glenmorangie 10yr are the best "prennial" £25 malts. Highland Park 12yr and Old Pulteney 12yr are also worth checking out. Glen Grant 10yr is another very good cheap malt, usually around £30 and dropping to around £25-£28 on amazon every now and then.

Have you tried Glenfiddich 12yr yet? That would be a good acid test to see if you prefer Bourbon over Sherry cask whiskies in comparing it to the Glenfiddich 15yr. The 12yr Fiddich is aged in Sherry casks but has less of that influence on the palate than the 15yr imo, so you might prefer it.

[ralfy legend]

Trying all these budget whiskies is ok, I did it, then your palate says I’m bored, Ben for just a bit more pounds the journey is well worth the ride, just seen in Morrisons the aerstones 10 sea cask at £30 and in a month or so it will drop in price, I enjoyed that and I think William gave it a 89 rating,and that will beat your tammavulim and glen Keith hands down.