Gordon & MacPhail's The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Gordon & MacPhail's The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

During the 19th century, illegal distilleries were commonplace throughout the Speyside region of Scotland. In 1823, however, Alexander Gordon the 4th Duke of Gordon who later became known as the "greatest subject of Britain"- pushed the Excise Act through Parliament. The Excise Act allowed illegal distillers throughout Scotland to apply for and obtain licenses to legally distill spirits. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. For nearly two centuries, The Glenlivet Distillery has been producing the "single malt whisky that started it all." The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using barley sourced from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon (Portgordon is a village in Moray, Scotland). After the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in wooden washbacks for approximately two days. The wooden washbacks used by Glenlivet are more difficult and expensive to maintain as compared to the stainless steel washbacks used by most Scottish distilleries, but impart a distinctive, floral quality to the whisky. After the barley has been fermented, it is distilled first through one of Glenlivet's wash stills, and then again through one of Glenlivet's spirits stills. Originally designed by George Smith, the copper-pot stills have a unique, lantern-like shape, which encourages contact between the whisky and the copper. As a result, the whisky has a lighter, more pure flavor profile. The Glenlivet 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is then matured for 21 years (it is legally old enough to drink itself) in Elgin, Scotland, in casks that were formerly used to mature bourbon and sherry. Once the whisky has matured, it is bottled behind a vintage Glenlivet label that was last used by the distillery decades ago. The Glenlivet 21 Year Old has a floral aroma, with notes of dry grass and cedar. The flavor is soft, with gentle notes of mustard seeds, rich fruits, and spicy wood that ultimately lead to a luxurious, oily finish that has a touch of fruits. Pick up a bottle today!