Glenlivet has appeared only once on More Drams Less Drama (by itself). The official 12-year-old, bottled at 40% and chill-filtered, earned a forgettable 4/10 rating, whilst a 25-year-old Speyside #4 from That Boutique-y Whisky Company demonstrated that the distillery performs considerably better when not overly diluted. Today’s pair might reinforce that observation with two Glenlivet 2007 bottled by Signatory Vintage, both bottled at cask strength and offering a glimpse of what Glenlivet can achieve when left unmolested at high proof.
Glenlivet 2007 Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection (2021) Review
Beginning with the earlier-bottled yet younger of the pair, the first 2007 Glenlivet was distilled on 10 April 2007 and matured in a first fill sherry butt, cask #900282. Signatory Vintage bottled this whisky on 31 August 2021 for La Maison du Whisky, yielding 585 bottles at a robust 64.1% ABV – naturally, with neither chill filtration nor added colour. This one remains available in Europe, including retailers such as Spirit Academy in Italy and Cave Conseil in France, for around €130.
Colour:
Nose:
Neat: The initial impression is powerful due to the high ABV, so caution is advised. With a little time in the glass, the nose unfolds and becomes much more inviting. Tropical fruits dominate – mango and pineapple – as well as some apricots. Hints of strawberries and raspberries follow, alongside notes of honey, caramel, cinnamon, and gingerbread. Over time, the profile shifts from summery fruit to a more festive, Christmassy character.
With water: A splash of water brings out more prominent oak and introduces a sharper edge. However, most of the earlier complexity fades, so dilution is best avoided here.
Palate:
Neat: The palate delivers a restrained bite, revealing that the alcohol is well integrated. The texture is viscous and syrupy, with unexpected tropical fruit flavours – mango, pineapple, and a touch of grapefruit – returning. Spices then gather intensity, bringing pepper, cinnamon, and a layer of astringency, with wood, leather, caramel, and milk chocolate.
With water: A little water works better on the palate than on the nose, coaxing out even more tropical fruit, though it does introduce a touch of plank-like oak. Fortunately, the wood remains controlled and never overwhelms.
Finish:
The finish delivers a slight astringency and a chalky texture, with lingering notes of caramel, orange peel, and essential oils, leaving a pleasantly dry warmth on the cheeks.
Comments:
Surprisingly tropical for a whisky matured in a first fill sherry butt, this cask stands out for both its character and quality. La Maison du Whisky’s choice is certainly understandable – unique picks like this are always a pleasure to discover.
Rating: 7/10
Glenlivet 2007 Signatory Vintage Horsemen & Archangels (2024) Review
Next, the second Glenlivet was also distilled in 2007 but bottled in 2024 by Signatory Vintage as part of their Horsemen & Archangels series for Kirsch Import. This expression is a vatting of several first-fill oloroso sherry butts, evidenced by its outturn of 1,109 bottles – well beyond the capacity of a single cask. Bottled at an impressive cask strength of 64.7% ABV, it remains available in Germany for around €120 per bottle.
Colour:
Burnt umber.
Nose:
Neat: The nose is dominated by wood and oak spices, without overwhelming heat, though initially somewhat closed. After some time, rich notes of raisins, plums, and a clear Oloroso character emerge. The fruit profile broadens to include strawberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants, alongside a faint solvent note.
With water: The wood influence intensifies and gains a slightly charred character. Raisins, plums, prunes, cinnamon, and gingerbread are more pronounced, with a subtle hint of rubber.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is both sweet and intensely dry, quickly drying the mouth. The spice and alcohol bite are sharp enough to bring a tear to the eye of even a cask strength lover. Flavours of wood, cinnamon, pepper, and dark chocolate are prominent.
With water: Diluted, the wood notes deepen further, though the astringency softens somewhat. Additional hints of coffee, leather, and grapefruit appear, though the overall profile leans heavily towards over-oaked territory.
Finish:
The finish is peppery and spicy with chilli heat, woody tones, and a few nutty nuances lingering.
Comments:
This Glenlivet 2007 Signatory for Kirch is notably different from the one bottled for La Maison du Whisky. Despite being three years older, it remains untamed, dominated entirely by brute alcohol and intensely active casks, leaving almost no space for the spirit itself. The younger release is clearly superior, as this one has unfortunately gone too far, making it a challenge to enjoy unless one appreciates the heavy wood influence. Adding water softens the palate slightly, but the nose grows even harsher, making it difficult to find the right balance. Not an awful whisky, but it is decidedly unbalanced and overly woody.
Rating: 4.5/10
Thanks Arnaud! Bottle pictures courtesy of Whiskybase, as usual.