Libation Review: The Glenlivet Nàdurra

Name: The Glenlivet Nàdurra
Type: Single-Malt Whiskey
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.8% (Batch FF0115)
Price: $79.99 at our local Randall’s

Glenlivet was one of the first whiskeys that I took to in college. I had a few friends with whom we exchanged whiskey with each other for special events (Christmas, birthdays, etc.). And for years, their 12 Year was a regular staple in my house up until about 2011. It was in 2011 I started playing with a bunch of guys who turned me on to Laphroaig, which I have written about here at Leaf Enthusiast. And while my wife and I primarily enjoy various expressions of Laphroaig when we buy whiskey, every few bottles we vary it. At my most recent visit to my local liquor store, I came upon The Glenlivet Nàdurra. Not only have I not tried this particular expression but I never looked into it enough to know that it was cask strength, something I am always interested in when it comes to whiskeys. The decision to buy The Glenlivet Nàdurra didn’t take long.

I liked the color on the Nàdurra, something I would describe as yellow gold. From the nose, my notes included fruit, hints of wood and something I would call the “medicinal” aroma, the high ABV the likely culprit. On the palette, I found the initial body of the Nàdurra to be smooth, with the “medicinal burn” hitting the middle of the tongue harder than other parts of the mouth. The biggest flavor notes I had were primarily vanilla overtones with some dried fruit. The finish I felt was longer, again because of the burn, but also coupled with something akin to a spiced candy aftertaste.

I’ve paired the Nàdurra with a couple of different cigars. If you want the cigar to balance with this particular single malt, you’re going to need a stout full bodied cigar like an Ashton VSG, CroMagnon, or something similar to keep up. Otherwise, the cigar is really going to play second fiddle to the cask strength burn of the Nàdurra.

Overall, I would characterize The Glenlivet Nàdurra like this: If you are a fan of single malts and want something a bit on the stronger side but don’t want the smoke and peat that I like from Islay (Laphroaig, Ardbeg), this is a nice place to start. It has many flavor characteristics of the more common 12 Year but with added ‘oomph’. This would be one Glenlivet, considering my preferences of whiskey and what my palette wants, that would consider purchasing again.

Final Score: 9/10

As always, thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.