Scotch Whisky Review #214: Glenlivet Nàdurra Peated Cask Finish

Distillery: Glenlivet

Region: Speyside

Cask Type: Finished in “heavily peated whisky casks”

ABV: 61.8%

Age: NAS.

Color: 0.3, Pale Gold. Non-Chill Filtered.

---

Nose: (according to the wife) It’s light and sweet with some fruit. There’s dates along with a honey and lemon tea. Can’t smell much, if any, peat here.

Palate: Annnnnnd there’s the peat in all of it’s earthy self. It’s quite hot as well. There’s a note of very sticky apples that go along with it. With some water, the heat dies down very quickly and so does the peat. The whisky also thickens up a tad. There’s a lot of wild honey and a note of sticky toffee apples.

Finish: Medium in length. Light on the peat with some more of that sticky honey.

Conclusion: When you think peated whisky, I’m sure Glenlivet isn’t anywhere near the top of your mind for distilleries that make it. This Nàdurra release features whisky finished in “heavily peated whisky casks”. While I didn’t expect it to be a peat bomb, I think this could’ve used a little more than what it got. The nose, palate post water, and finish are pretty decent, though one dimensional, with nice fruity and dessert notes. A little bit more peat might have done wonders in adding complexity to this whisky by introducing a savory or even slightly medicinal element. It’s there at full strength but even the tiniest bit of water chases it away. On the whole, not bad though!

Final Score: 77.

Scotch Whisky Review #214, Speyside Review #90, Whisky Network Review #312

---

Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky.
• 85-89: Amazing, will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection (if feasible).
• 80-84: Very Good, maybe only one minor nitpick about the whisky keeping it here.
• 75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink.
• 70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.