The Glenlivet 18 Year Old: Two IWSC Golds — Intensely Malty with Butterscotch, Orange Blossom, and Chocolate Pudding

Item: The Glenlivet 18 Year Old: Two IWSC Golds — Intensely Malty with Butterscotch, Orange Blossom, and Chocolate Pudding
Rating: 8
Author: Joe Whitfield

Joe Whitfield April 10, 2026 1 views

8 /10

EDITOR

Distillery: The Glenlivet Distillery
Type: Scotch
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 40% ABV
Price: £72

Tasting Notes

Nose

Christmas cake — cinnamon, orange zest, toffee, concentrated vanilla, aromatic sherry, orange and cherry blossom, the 18 years adding spiced depth to the Glenlivet fruitiness

Palate

Intensely malty — rich butterscotch, citrus, chocolate pudding, custard, spiced oranges, honey, pears, figs, cherries, underpinned by sherry, the 1824 heritage enriched by time

Finish

Long — no burn, only light pepperiness, elegant and refined, the double IWSC Gold quality persisting

First Impressions

The Glenlivet 18 — George Smith's 1824 recipe matured eighteen years in American oak and sherry casks. Two IWSC golds. The fruity Speyside character intensified by time into something rich, malty, and indulgent.

Tasting

The nose is Christmas cake with cinnamon and sherry. On the palate at 40%, intensely malty with butterscotch and chocolate pudding. The finish is long with light pepper.

The Verdict

Glenlivet 18 earns an 8 — two IWSC golds for a reason. Rich and indulgent Speyside maturity. At £72, the 1824 original at its most complex.

Where to Buy

Master of Malt
£93.50

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The Whisky Exchange
£99.75

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Joe Whitfield

Editor-in-Chief

Joe has spent over fifteen years immersed in the whiskey industry, beginning his career at a Speyside distillery before moving into drinks journalism. As Editor-in-Chief at Whiskeyful.com, he oversees...