Glenlivet 14yrs

This is a Scotch whisky from Glenlivet, labeled with a 14-year age statement. Because it is Scotch, it was matured in oak in Scotland. The listing doesn't give an ABV, cask type, or official tasting notes, so what follows describes what a Glenlivet bottling at this age usually shows. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a soft, fruit-forward malt: orchard fruit such as pear and apple, honey, vanilla and light floral notes, with gentle oak spice behind them. Peat smoke is not typical of the Glenlivet house style, so don't expect Islay-type smoke or medicinal notes. The 14-year age statement usually means a rounder texture and more oak influence than a younger entry-level bottling from the same distillery. Pour it neat first. A first sip at room temperature shows the most aroma and sweetness. If the alcohol feels tight on the nose, add a few drops of room-temperature water. Dilution tends to open up fruit and floral notes in malts like this. Ice isn't the best choice for sipping, because cold mutes the delicate aromatics. If you like it chilled, use one large cube in a rocks glass so it melts slowly. For glassware, a Glencairn or similar tulip-shaped glass concentrates the aromas, which makes it the better choice for judging a malt like this. A rocks glass suits slower sipping with a splash of water or a single large cube. Pour a measure of about 1.5 ounces and give it a few minutes to settle. In cocktails, this is a bottle for drinks that let the malt show rather than ones that bury it. A Rob Roy, which is a Manhattan made with Scotch, works well. Use sweet vermouth and a dash or two of aromatic bitters, and stir it over ice. An Old Fashioned with a small measure of demerara syrup and orange bitters keeps the honeyed character intact. A Scotch highball, with two or three parts chilled soda to one part whisky over plenty of ice and a lemon peel, brings out the fruit and is the most refreshing option. A Whiskey Sour is possible, but it uses up a malt that is better sipped. For food, try aged cheddar, roasted nuts, baked apples or dark chocolate, which match the fruit and honey notes.