Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Pernod Ricard
Official website: www.theglenlivet.com
Glenlivet is no stranger to mysterious bottlings, designed to challenge enthusiasts to uncover the construction of whisky in the glass, as happened in 2013 with the Mystery Series (Alpha, Cipher, Code and Enigma), and as happened again in 2020.
No reference to the Bondian criminal organization, but three 0.20 cl bottles, for which only the (minimum) alcohol content and the official tasting notes are known, which the drinker is invited to compare on an interactive site (mobile only) specifically created and accessible via a QR code on the packaging, where a persuasive voice guides through the tasting of the three bottlings.
Net of the focus on storytelling and packaging (the latter truly beautiful), it is nonetheless interesting to explore more or less unpublished variations on a whisky that couldn’t be more classic, adding a playful component that is not unwelcome.
Today, the details on the maturations (but not on the duration) can be found on the distillery’s website; for completeness, I will also report them here.
The Glenlivet Spectra 01 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry first fill
Tasting Notes
The fruit dominates the nose, a rich and composite orchard ranging from tropical (mango, pineapple, and banana) to the white fruits of peach, apricot, melon, and ripe apple, along with citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit (including candied), not forgetting an incursion into the red of blueberries and currants. In the second row, but no less intense, the pastry of vanilla, almond paste, cotton candy, and shortcrust pastry presents itself. A waxy note lingers. All of this is threaded with a mineral and slightly balsamic thread. Lush.
On the palate, the tones descend but the fruity imprint remains, where the tropical and citrus density increases, expanding the space for mineral and dry notes, in which the wood becomes more evident, even in the spiciness (black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg). The pastry, represented by fondant and almonds, is distinctly understated.
The finish is quite long and dry, with spices, white fruit, sugar paste, and nuts.
Review: If they had dared with a bit more intensity, they would probably have reached great heights; as it stands, it is “only” a good Glenlivet, an excellent representative of the distillery’s style but without major emotions.
Vote: 82/100
The Glenlivet Spectra 02 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ageing casks: Finished in ex-Peated Scotch
Tasting Notes
The smoke on the nose is initially subtle and delicate but quickly grows over time, with medicinal and maritime tones that intertwine with the fruity and pastry-like bouquet of Glenlivet, giving it a slightly chemical edge. And so, the fruit finishes on the grill, sizzling pineapples, apples, and peaches while not far away, plastic and seaweed are burning. Wet rocks and mineral notes in the background, along with crème brûlée, caramel, and licorice. It starts off subdued before reaching a precarious yet interesting balance.
On the palate, the smoke enhances the vegetal and bitter aspects, leaving behind marine nuances to shift towards dark tones of gentian, licorice, burnt wood, and coffee. A briny note lingers in the retro palate, along with pronounced bitter tones that initially overshadow the sweetness of fruit and pastries, expressed through burnt baked goods (shortcrust pastry, sugar, marshmallow). A dusting of pepper. The evolution is tumultuous, a continuous conflict between sweet and bitter where one seems to prevail over the other, only to reverse roles after a moment. Entertaining.
Finale quite long and salty with extinguished embers, grilled fruit, crème brûlée, burnt biscuits.
Review: Definitely the most experimental of the three, a variation on the theme that may be unbalanced and disjointed but knows how to entertain and amuse, offering something truly original.
Vote: 84/100
The Glenlivet Spectra 03 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Ageing casks: Finished in double charred casks
Tasting Notes
The dominance of fruit on the nose is confirmed, with tropical and citrus inclinations of grapefruit, pineapple, mango, lime, and banana taking center stage alongside co-protagonists (peach, apricot, green apple). Fruit is also present in candied and dehydrated forms, especially orange and pineapple, with quantities of sugar paste and marzipan, alongside spicy hints (ginger, nutmeg) and mineral notes. A backdrop of vegetative notes, a drop of propolis, and cut wood. Classic with a twist.
On the palate, the vegetal soul takes the reins of the evocations, shifting the dram towards bitter shores of licorice and rhubarb with a faint hint of coffee. Pastry and orchard fade into the background, emerging more prominently on the finish, with an emphasis on citrus, tart fruits (pineapple, grapefruit, apple, peach), and sugary doughs, punctuated by black pepper and ginger. Cinnamon cookies. More oily than expected.
Medium length finale with vegetal and spicy streaks, featuring notes of wood and citrus.
Review: The least interesting of the three, it suffers more than the others from the minimum strength without providing any particular emotions or showing a distinct personality.
Vote: 81/100